English

Exact Constructive Digit-by-Digit Algorithms for Integer $e$-th Root Extraction

Symbolic Computation 2026-01-07 v1

Abstract

We present a unified constructive digit-by-digit framework for exact root extraction using only integer arithmetic. The core contribution is a complete correctness theory for the fractional square root algorithm, proving that each computed decimal digit is exact and final, together with a sharp truncation error bound of 10k10^{-k} after kk digits. We further develop an invariant-based framework for computing the integer ee-th root N1/e\lfloor N^{1/e} \rfloor of a non-negative integer NN for arbitrary fixed exponents e2e \ge 2, derived directly from the binomial theorem. This method generalizes the classical long-division square root algorithm, preserves a constructive remainder invariant throughout the computation, and provides an exact decision procedure for perfect ee-th power detection. We also explain why exact digit-by-digit fractional extraction with non-revisable digits is structurally possible only for square roots (e=2e=2), whereas higher-order roots (e3e \ge 3) exhibit nonlinear coupling that prevents digit stability under scaling. All proofs are carried out in a constructive, algorithmic manner consistent with Bishop-style constructive mathematics, yielding explicit algorithmic witnesses, decidable predicates, and guaranteed termination. The resulting algorithms require no division or floating-point operations and are well suited to symbolic computation, verified exact arithmetic, educational exposition, and digital hardware implementation.

Cite

@article{arxiv.2601.02703,
  title  = {Exact Constructive Digit-by-Digit Algorithms for Integer $e$-th Root Extraction},
  author = {Suresan Pareth},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2601.02703},
  year   = {2026}
}