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SciMax Toolbox >> qunit

qunit

Maxima Function

Calling Sequence

qunit (n)

Description

Returns the principal unit of the real quadratic number field sqrt (n) where n is an integer, i.e., the element whose norm is unity. This amounts to solving Pell's equation a^2 - n b^2 = 1.

(%i1) qunit (17);
(%o1)                     sqrt(17) + 4
(%i2) expand (% * (sqrt(17) - 4));
(%o2)                           1
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