sieve of Eratosthenes

noun

, Mathematics.

1. a method of obtaining prime numbers by sifting out the composite numbers from the set of natural numbers so that only prime numbers remain.

Word History and Origins

Origin of sieve of Eratosthenes¹

First recorded in 1795–1805

Example Sentences

Just as a chess player might examine variations of the Ruy Lopez and King’s Indian Defense, a mathematician might study particularly clever applications of the Chinese remainder theorem or the sieve of Eratosthenes.

From New York Times