


      FACTOR(1)                   (UNIX 5.0)                  FACTOR(1)



      NAME
           factor - factor a number

      SYNTAX
           factor [ number ]

      DESCRIPTION
           When factor is invoked without an argument, it waits for a
           number to be typed in.  If you type in a positive number
           less than 28569 (about 7.2e16) it will factor the number and
           print its prime factors; each one is printed the proper
           number of times.  Then it waits for another number.  It
           exits if it encounters a zero or any non-numeric character.

           If factor is invoked with an argument, it factors the number
           as above and then exits.

           Maximum time to factor is proportional to sqrt(n) and occurs
           when n is prime or the square of a prime.

      DIAGNOSTICS
           ``Ouch'' for input out of range or for garbage input.

































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