TAOCP: Volume 1, Notes on the exercises

02 Jun 2022

Starting The Art of Computer Programming and the exercises have a flow chart. There are 18 steps detailed in the text and it reads like a use case document. I have so many questions.

Procedure for Reading This Set of Books

Step #2 says “Read the Notes on the Exercises” so I will be giving that a try. I am sure this has meaning. I am sure I need to read it. I am more concerned with the Summary of Codes used to describe the exercises themselves.

Summary of Codes

The commentary in parentheses is mine.

Exercises

Here are the questions for the notes on exercises section. If you can do the math have at it; otherwise there is Chapter One waiting.

  1. [00] What does the rating “M20” mean?
  2. [10] Of what value can the exercises in a textbook be to the reader?
  3. [14] Prove that 133 = 2197. Generalize your answer. [This is an example of a horrible king of problem that the author has tried to avoid.]
  4. [HM45] Prove that when n is an integer, n > 2, the equation xn + yn = zn has no solution in positive integers x, y, z.
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