12.8. Math Commands

"Doing the numbers"

factor

Decompose an integer into prime factors.

bash$ factor 27417
27417: 3 13 19 37
	      

bc

Bash can't handle floating point calculations, and it lacks operators for certain important mathematical functions. Fortunately, bc comes to the rescue.

Not just a versatile, arbitrary precision calculation utility, bc offers many of the facilities of a programming language.

bc has a syntax vaguely resembling C.

Since it is a fairly well-behaved Unix utility, and may therefore be used in a pipe, bc comes in handy in scripts.

Here is a simple template for using bc to calculate a script variable. This uses command substitution.

	      variable=$(echo "OPTIONS; OPERATIONS" | bc)
	      

Example 12-36. Monthly Payment on a Mortgage

#!/bin/bash
# monthlypmt.sh: Calculates monthly payment on a mortgage.


#  This is a modification of code in the "mcalc" (mortgage calculator) package,
#+ by Jeff Schmidt and Mendel Cooper (yours truly, the author of this document).
#   http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/apps/financial/mcalc-1.6.tar.gz  [15k]

echo
echo "Given the principal, interest rate, and term of a mortgage,"
echo "calculate the monthly payment."

bottom=1.0

echo
echo -n "Enter principal (no commas) "
read principal
echo -n "Enter interest rate (percent) "  # If 12%, enter "12", not ".12".
read interest_r
echo -n "Enter term (months) "
read term


 interest_r=$(echo "scale=9; $interest_r/100.0" | bc) # Convert to decimal.
                 # "scale" determines how many decimal places.
  

 interest_rate=$(echo "scale=9; $interest_r/12 + 1.0" | bc)
 

 top=$(echo "scale=9; $principal*$interest_rate^$term" | bc)

 echo; echo "Please be patient. This may take a while."

 let "months = $term - 1"
# ==================================================================== 
 for ((x=$months; x > 0; x--))
 do
   bot=$(echo "scale=9; $interest_rate^$x" | bc)
   bottom=$(echo "scale=9; $bottom+$bot" | bc)
#  bottom = $(($bottom + $bot"))
 done
# -------------------------------------------------------------------- 
#  Rick Boivie pointed out a more efficient implementation
#+ of the above loop, which decreases computation time by 2/3.

# for ((x=1; x <= $months; x++))
# do
#   bottom=$(echo "scale=9; $bottom * $interest_rate + 1" | bc)
# done


#  And then he came up with an even more efficient alternative,
#+ one that cuts down the run time by about 95%!

# bottom=`{
#     echo "scale=9; bottom=$bottom; interest_rate=$interest_rate"
#     for ((x=1; x <= $months; x++))
#     do
#          echo 'bottom = bottom * interest_rate + 1'
#     done
#     echo 'bottom'
#     } | bc`       # Embeds a 'for loop' within command substitution.

# ==================================================================== 

 # let "payment = $top/$bottom"
 payment=$(echo "scale=2; $top/$bottom" | bc)
 # Use two decimal places for dollars and cents.
 
 echo
 echo "monthly payment = \$$payment"  # Echo a dollar sign in front of amount.
 echo


 exit 0

 # Exercises:
 #   1) Filter input to permit commas in principal amount.
 #   2) Filter input to permit interest to be entered as percent or decimal.
 #   3) If you are really ambitious,
 #      expand this script to print complete amortization tables.

Example 12-37. Base Conversion

:
##########################################################################
# Shellscript:	base.sh - print number to different bases (Bourne Shell)
# Author     :	Heiner Steven (heiner.steven@odn.de)
# Date       :	07-03-95
# Category   :	Desktop
# $Id: base.sh,v 1.2 2000/02/06 19:55:35 heiner Exp $
##########################################################################
# Description
#
# Changes
# 21-03-95 stv	fixed error occuring with 0xb as input (0.2)
##########################################################################

# ==> Used in this document with the script author's permission.
# ==> Comments added by document author.

NOARGS=65
PN=`basename "$0"`			       # Program name
VER=`echo '$Revision: 1.2 $' | cut -d' ' -f2`  # ==> VER=1.2

Usage () {
    echo "$PN - print number to different bases, $VER (stv '95)
usage: $PN [number ...]

If no number is given, the numbers are read from standard input.
A number may be
    binary (base 2)		starting with 0b (i.e. 0b1100)
    octal (base 8)		starting with 0  (i.e. 014)
    hexadecimal (base 16)	starting with 0x (i.e. 0xc)
    decimal			otherwise (i.e. 12)" >&2
    exit $NOARGS 
}   # ==> Function to print usage message.

Msg () {
    for i   # ==> in [list] missing.
    do echo "$PN: $i" >&2
    done
}

Fatal () { Msg "$@"; exit 66; }

PrintBases () {
    # Determine base of the number
    for i      # ==> in [list] missing...
    do         # ==> so operates on command line arg(s).
	case "$i" in
	    0b*)		ibase=2;;	# binary
	    0x*|[a-f]*|[A-F]*)	ibase=16;;	# hexadecimal
	    0*)			ibase=8;;	# octal
	    [1-9]*)		ibase=10;;	# decimal
	    *)
		Msg "illegal number $i - ignored"
		continue;;
	esac

	# Remove prefix, convert hex digits to uppercase (bc needs this)
	number=`echo "$i" | sed -e 's:^0[bBxX]::' | tr '[a-f]' '[A-F]'`
	# ==> Uses ":" as sed separator, rather than "/".

	# Convert number to decimal
	dec=`echo "ibase=$ibase; $number" | bc`  # ==> 'bc' is calculator utility.
	case "$dec" in
	    [0-9]*)	;;			 # number ok
	    *)		continue;;		 # error: ignore
	esac

	# Print all conversions in one line.
	# ==> 'here document' feeds command list to 'bc'.
	echo `bc <<!
	    obase=16; "hex="; $dec
	    obase=10; "dec="; $dec
	    obase=8;  "oct="; $dec
	    obase=2;  "bin="; $dec
!
    ` | sed -e 's: :	:g'

    done
}

while [ $# -gt 0 ]
# ==>  Is a "while loop" really necessary here,
# ==>+ since all the cases either break out of the loop
# ==>+ or terminate the script.
# ==> (Thanks, Paulo Marcel Coelho Aragao.)
do
    case "$1" in
	--)     shift; break;;
	-h)     Usage;;                 # ==> Help message.
	-*)     Usage;;
         *)     break;;			# first number
    esac   # ==> More error checking for illegal input might be useful.
    shift
done

if [ $# -gt 0 ]
then
    PrintBases "$@"
else					# read from stdin
    while read line
    do
	PrintBases $line
    done
fi


exit 0

An alternate method of invoking bc involves using a here document embedded within a command substitution block. This is especially appropriate when a script needs to pass a list of options and commands to bc.

variable=`bc << LIMIT_STRING
options
statements
operations
LIMIT_STRING
`

...or...


variable=$(bc << LIMIT_STRING
options
statements
operations
LIMIT_STRING
)

Example 12-38. Invoking bc using a "here document"

#!/bin/bash
# Invoking 'bc' using command substitution
# in combination with a 'here document'.


var1=`bc << EOF
18.33 * 19.78
EOF
`
echo $var1       # 362.56


#  $( ... ) notation also works.
v1=23.53
v2=17.881
v3=83.501
v4=171.63

var2=$(bc << EOF
scale = 4
a = ( $v1 + $v2 )
b = ( $v3 * $v4 )
a * b + 15.35
EOF
)
echo $var2       # 593487.8452


var3=$(bc -l << EOF
scale = 9
s ( 1.7 )
EOF
)
# Returns the sine of 1.7 radians.
# The "-l" option calls the 'bc' math library.
echo $var3       # .991664810


# Now, try it in a function...
hyp=             # Declare global variable.
hypotenuse ()    # Calculate hypotenuse of a right triangle.
{
hyp=$(bc -l << EOF
scale = 9
sqrt ( $1 * $1 + $2 * $2 )
EOF
)
# Unfortunately, can't return floating point values from a Bash function.
}

hypotenuse 3.68 7.31
echo "hypotenuse = $hyp"    # 8.184039344


exit 0

Example 12-39. Calculating PI

#!/bin/bash
# cannon.sh: Approximating PI by firing cannonballs.

# This is a very simple instance of a "Monte Carlo" simulation,
#+ a mathematical model of a real-life event,
#+ using pseudorandom numbers to emulate random chance.

#  Consider a perfectly square plot of land, 10000 units on a side.
#  This land has a perfectly circular lake in its center,
#+ with a diameter of 10000 units.
#  The plot is actually all water, except for the four corners.
#  (Think of it as a square with an inscribed circle.)
#
#  Let us fire iron cannonballs from an old-style cannon
#+ at the square of land.
#  All the shots impact somewhere on the plot of land,
#+ either in the lake or on the dry corners.
#  Since the lake takes up most of the land area,
#+ most of the shots will SPLASH! into the water.
#  Just a few shots will THUD! into solid ground
#+ in the four corners of the land.
#
#  If we take enough random, unaimed shots at the plot of land,
#+ Then the ratio of SPLASHES to total shots will approximate
#+ the value of PI/4.
#
#  The reason for this is that the cannon is actually shooting
#+ only at the upper right-hand quadrant of the square,
#+ i.e., Quadrant I of the Cartesian coordinate plane.
#  (The previous explanation was a simplification.)
#
#  Theoretically, the more shots taken, the better the fit.
#  However, a shell script, as opposed to a compiled language
#+ with floating-point math built in, requires a few compromises.
#  This tends to lower the accuracy of the simulation, unfortunately.


DIMENSION=10000  # Length of each side of the plot of land.
                 # Also sets ceiling for random integers generated.

MAXSHOTS=1000    # Fire this many shots.
                 # 10000 or more would be better, but would take too long.
PMULTIPLIER=4.0  # Scaling factor to approximate PI.

get_random ()
{
SEED=$(head -1 /dev/urandom | od -N 1 | awk '{ print $2 }')
RANDOM=$SEED                                  #  From "seeding-random.sh"
                                              #+ example script.
let "rnum = $RANDOM % $DIMENSION"             #  Range less than 10000.
echo $rnum
}

distance=        # Declare global variable.
hypotenuse ()    # Calculate hypotenuse of a right triangle.
{                # From "alt-bc.sh" example.
distance=$(bc -l << EOF
scale = 0
sqrt ( $1 * $1 + $2 * $2 )
EOF
)
#  Setting "scale" to zero rounds down result to integer value,
#+ a necessary compromise in this script.
#  This diminshes the accuracy of the simulation, unfortunately.
}


# main() {

# Initialize variables.
shots=0
splashes=0
thuds=0
Pi=0

while [ "$shots" -lt  "$MAXSHOTS" ]           # Main loop.
do

  xCoord=$(get_random)                        # Get random X and Y coords.
  yCoord=$(get_random)
  hypotenuse $xCoord $yCoord                  #  Hypotenuse of right-triangle =
                                              #+ distance.
  ((shots++))

  printf "#%4d   " $shots
  printf "Xc = %4d  " $xCoord
  printf "Yc = %4d  " $yCoord
  printf "Distance = %5d  " $distance         #  Distance from 
                                              #+ center of lake,
                                              #  the "origin,"
                                              #+ coordinate (0,0).

  if [ "$distance" -le "$DIMENSION" ]
  then
    echo -n "SPLASH!  "
    ((splashes++))
  else
    echo -n "THUD!    "
    ((thuds++))
  fi

  Pi=$(echo "scale=9; $PMULTIPLIER*$splashes/$shots" | bc)
  # Multiply ratio by 4.0.
  echo -n "PI ~ $Pi"
  echo

done

echo
echo "After $shots shots, PI looks like approximately $Pi."
# Tends to run a bit high . . . 
# Probably due to round-off error and imperfect randomness of $RANDOM.
echo

# }

exit 0

#  One might well wonder whether a shell script is appropriate for
#+ an application as complex and computation-intensive as a simulation.
#
#  There are at least two justifications.
#  1) As a proof of concept: to show it can be done.
#  2) To prototype and test the algorithms before rewriting
#+    it in a compiled high-level language.
dc

The dc (desk calculator) utility is stack-oriented and uses RPN ("Reverse Polish Notation"). Like bc, it has much of the power of a programming language.

Most persons avoid dc, since it requires non-intuitive RPN input. Yet it has its uses.

Example 12-40. Converting a decimal number to hexadecimal

#!/bin/bash
# hexconvert.sh: Convert a decimal number to hexadecimal.

BASE=16     # Hexadecimal.

if [ -z "$1" ]
then
  echo "Usage: $0 number"
  exit $E_NOARGS
  # Need a command line argument.
fi
# Exercise: add argument validity checking.


hexcvt ()
{
if [ -z "$1" ]
then
  echo 0
  return    # "Return" 0 if no arg passed to function.
fi

echo ""$1" "$BASE" o p" | dc
#                 "o" sets radix (numerical base) of output.
#                   "p" prints the top of stack.
# See 'man dc' for other options.
return
}

hexcvt "$1"

exit 0

Studying the info page for dc gives some insight into its intricacies. However, there seems to be a small, select group of dc wizards who delight in showing off their mastery of this powerful, but arcane utility.

Example 12-41. Factoring

#!/bin/bash
# factr.sh: Factor a number

MIN=2       # Will not work for number smaller than this.
E_NOARGS=65
E_TOOSMALL=66

if [ -z $1 ]
then
  echo "Usage: $0 number"
  exit $E_NOARGS
fi

if [ "$1" -lt "$MIN" ]
then
  echo "Number to factor must be $MIN or greater."
  exit $E_TOOSMALL
fi  

# Exercise: Add type checking (to reject non-integer arg).

echo "Factors of $1:"
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
echo "$1[p]s2[lip/dli%0=1dvsr]s12sid2%0=13sidvsr[dli%0=1lrli2+dsi!>.]ds.xd1<2" | dc
# ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
# Above line of code written by Michel Charpentier <charpov@cs.unh.edu>.
# Used with permission (thanks).

 exit 0
awk

Yet another way of doing floating point math in a script is using awk's built-in math functions in a shell wrapper.

Example 12-42. Calculating the hypotenuse of a triangle

#!/bin/bash
# hypotenuse.sh: Returns the "hypotenuse" of a right triangle.
#               ( square root of sum of squares of the "legs")

ARGS=2                # Script needs sides of triangle passed.
E_BADARGS=65          # Wrong number of arguments.

if [ $# -ne "$ARGS" ] # Test number of arguments to script.
then
  echo "Usage: `basename $0` side_1 side_2"
  exit $E_BADARGS
fi


AWKSCRIPT=' { printf( "%3.7f\n", sqrt($1*$1 + $2*$2) ) } '
#            command(s) / parameters passed to awk


echo -n "Hypotenuse of $1 and $2 = "
echo $1 $2 | awk "$AWKSCRIPT"

exit 0