integer factorization algorithm
nounUK /ˈɪn.tɪ.dʒər ˌfæk.tər.aɪˈzeɪ.ʃən ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəm/
US /ˈɪn.t̬ə.dʒɚ ˌfæk.tɚ.əˈzeɪ.ʃən ˈæl.ɡə.rɪ.ðəm/
A set of steps a computer follows to break a whole number into smaller numbers that multiply together to make it.
The integer factorization algorithm found that 91 equals 7 times 13.
SYNONYMS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A procedure used in computer security to test how hard a number is to break apart.
Researchers compared each integer factorization algorithm to see which one cracked large numbers fastest.
3. A mathematical recipe for finding all the prime factors of a given integer.
Her homework asked her to apply an integer factorization algorithm to 360.
4. A computational tool studied in number theory for splitting composite numbers into primes.
The integer factorization algorithm is a key topic in number theory classes.