References & Sources  - October 3, 1998

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Factoring reaches new heights

Researchers factored a 186-digit number—the largest yet cracked—using 88 computers running 42 days and a technique called the special number field sieve.

 

References:

Information about factoring records is available at http://www.loria.fr/~zimmerma/records/factor.html.

 

Further Readings:

Peterson, I. 1997. Cracking a record number. Science News 151(May 31):340.

______. 1994. Team sieving cracks a huge number. Science News 145(May 7):292.

Sources:

Herman te Riele
CWI
Kruislaan 413
P.O. Box 94079
1090 GB Amsterdam
The Netherlands

From Science News, Vol. 154, No. 14, October 3, 1998, p. 217.
Copyright Ó 1998 by Science Service.

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