[Edu-sig] Python programming challenge

[Kirby Urner]

Here's a good assignment for those wanting to test their Python skills:

Consider the paper and pencil algorithm for finding the square root of a
number as described in detail here, by means of a worked example:

http://www.homeschoolmath.net/other_topics/square-root-algorithm-example.php

Write a Python generator that yields one more digit of the square root of n,
given n as its argument.  Optionally ignore placement of any decimal points.

Feel free to use more than one function, but have root2 be the top-level
generator.

In other words, your code might output something like this during testing:

 >>> r = root2(297504)
 >>> r.next()
 '5'
 >>> r.next()
 '54'
 >>> r.next()
 '545'
 >>> r.next()
 '5454'
 >>> r.next()
 '54543'
 >>> r.next()
 '545439'
 >>> r.next()
 '5454392'
 >>> r.next()
 '54543927'
 >>> r.next()
 '545439272'
 >>> r.next()
 '5454392725'

And so on, indefinitely (memory a constraint).

Kirby