Best k-digit rational bounds for irrational numbers: Pre- and super-computer era

  • Authors:
  • S. K. Sen;Ravi P. Agarwal;Raffaella Pavani

  • Affiliations:
  • Department of Mathematical Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, United States;Department of Mathematical Sciences, Florida Institute of Technology, 150 West University Boulevard, Melbourne, FL 32901, United States;Department of Mathematics, Politecnico di Milano, 20133 Milano, Italy

  • Venue:
  • Mathematical and Computer Modelling: An International Journal
  • Year:
  • 2009

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Abstract

We present here the best k-digit rational bounds for a given irrational number, where the numerator has k digits. Of the two bounds, either the upper bound or the lower bound, will be the best k-digit rational approximation for the given irrational number. The rational bounds derived from the corresponding k-digit decimal bounds are not often the best rational bounds for an irrational number. Such bounds not only allow a possible introduction of irrational numbers such as @p, e, and log"e2 but also to compute error-bounds in an error-free computational problem. We have also focused on the importance of twenty-first century supercomputers with steadily increasing computing power-both sequential and parallel-in computing the best bounds as well as in determining error-bounds for a problem in error-free computational environment. We have also focused on the tremendous activities during/after pre-historic era on obtaining rational approximation/bounds of famous irrational numbers to justify the relevance and possible importance of this study in the current ultra-high speed computing age.