Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Geek
I'd be impressed if a "lesser minion" could do that longhand without making a mistake. Shoot, I'd be impressed if a mathematician could do that longhand without making a mistake (for that matter, just how did mathematicians, like Lucas with M127, do enormous calculations way-back-when?).
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Hugh Williams did a thorough research of this very question.
Lucas used some 'templates' (which were basically analog mechanisms
for simulating binary arithmetic) to speed the arithmetic. Lucas did
the whole calculation in binary.
I heard Hugh give a talk on this. I believe he also put it in his book.
I would have to go look; I am in the office and the book is at home.