Teleprinter Algebra

Abstract

In chapter 3 we began to construct programs which instruct the computer to perform simple calculations. However, if we wish to perform calculations of a more complex kind, especially if they involve such things as square roots, sines and cosines, then we need more than just the four simple rules of arithmetic. The evaluation of the formula

$$\frac{{ - {\text{b + }}\sqrt {({{\text{b}}^2} - 4{\text{ac}})} }}{{2{\text{a}}}}$$

requires the evaluation of the square root of a number as well as a clear indication of the order in which the calculation is to be done.