The Art of Computer Programming, Volume 2: Seminumerical Algorithms (2nd Edition)

• Author: Donald E. Knuth • Publisher: Addison-Wesley Reading, MA U.S.A. 1981 Volume 2 of Donald Knuth's classic series The Art of Computer Programming covers seminumerical algorithms, with topics ranging from random number generators to floating point operations and other optimized arithmetic algorithms. Truly comprehensive and meticulously written, this book (and series) is that rarest of all creatures--a work of authoritative scholarship in classical computer science, but one that can be read and used profitably by virtually all working programmers. The book begins with fundamental questions regarding random numbers and how to use algorithms to generate them. Subsequent chapters demonstrate efficient computation of single-precision and double-precision arithmetic calculations and modular arithmetic. The text then presents prime factorization (which can be used in cryptography, for instance) and algorithms for calculating fractions. This volume ends with algorithms for polynomial arithmetic and manipulation of power-series topics, which will benefit those with some knowledge of calculus. Throughout this beautifully presented edition, Knuth incorporates hundreds of useful exercises for trying out the algorithms. These range from simple problems to larger research project topics. (The book provides answers, where appropriate, at the end of the book.) The result is a text that's suitable for college graduate-level computer science courses or individual study by programmers. Volume 2 is an indispensable part of any working programmer's library. xiv + 689pp. Donald Ervin Knuth was born on January 10, 1938 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He studied mathematics as an undergraduate at Case Institute of Technology, where he also wrote software at the Computing Center. The Case faculty took the unprecedented step of awarding him a Master's degree together with the B.S. he received in 1960. After graduate studies at California Institute of Technology, he received a Ph.D. in Mathematics in 1963 and then remained on the CIT mathematics faculty. Throughout this period, he continued to be involved with software development, serving as consultant to Burroughs Corporation from 1960-1968 and as editor of Programming Languages for ACM publications from 1964-1967. He joined Stanford University as Professor of Computer Science in 1968 and was appointed to Stanford's first endowed chair in computer science nine years later. As a university professor he introduced a variety of new courses into the curriculum, notably Data Structures and Concrete Mathematics. In 1993 he became Professor Emeritus of The Art of Computer Programming. He has supervised the dissertations of 28 students and still lives with his wife on Standford campus. Knuth began in 1962 to prepare textbooks about programming techniques. His 1962 vision was to produce a reference textbook of 12 chapters - much like a cookbook - of techniques that solved programing problems. This work evolved by 1967 into a projected seven-volume series entitled The Art of Computer Programming. Volumes 1-3 first appeared in 1968, 1969, and 1973. Having revised each of these three volumes two or three times by 1997, he has continued to work on the remaining volumes. Volume 4A appeared at the beginning of 2011. Volume 4B appeared in 2022. More than one million copies have already been printed, including translation into over ten languages. Hardcover has tan cloth boards with black shadowbox & lettering on spine, title in gold, but no dust jacket. Opens as if never read. Interior is tight, clean and unmarked. Always privately owned with no ownership markings. Condition is Fine (As New). • Size: 8vo – over 7¾ - 9¾” tall, 703pp. • Condition: Fine (As New) Hardcover without dust jacket – 1st printing of 2nd Edition in 1981. Always privately owned. No Ownership markings. Copyright 1981 & 1969. Printed in U.S.A.…