Intel introduced the powerful Pentium processor in 1993, with advanced technology to compute complex functions like sines and exponentials rapidly. The Pentium revolutionized the use of polynomials to approximate transcendental functions compared to earlier binary algorithms. The article dives into the hardware implementation of the Pentium chip, focusing on the constant ROM that stores carefully-optimized coefficients. It explains how Intel optimized these functions using polynomials instead of Taylor series, leading to faster computation speeds. The use of the Remez algorithm to tweak polynomial coefficients showcases Intel’s innovative approach to improving accuracy. This in-depth look at the Pentium’s inner workings provides a fascinating insight into the world of processor technology.
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