The Algorithms logo
The Algorithms
Acerca deDonar

Farey Approximation

H
/*
 * Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farey_sequence
 * Inspiration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LKy3lrkTRA
 *
 * Farey Approximation algorithm is an algorithm to
 * approximate a reduced fraction value for a certain
 * decimal number x where 0 < x < 1.
 *
 * The algorithm works by keeping two fractional upper and
 * lower bounds which start at 0 / 1 and 1 / 1. These values
 * are then used to find the "mediate" which is a value between
 * the two fractions.
 *
 * For any two fractions a / b and c / d,
 * mediate = a + c / b + d
 *
 * Then it is checked if the decimal is greater than or less
 * than the mediate and then the lower or the upper value is
 * set to be the mediate respectively.
 *
 * This is repeated for n times and then the mediate is
 * returned.
 *
 * This is explained in a greater detail in the "Inspiration"
 * link.
 */

function fareyApproximation(decimal, repeat = 20) {
  let a = 0
  let b = 1
  let c = 1
  let d = 1
  let numerator
  let denominator

  for (let i = 0; i < repeat; i++) {
    numerator = a + c
    denominator = b + d

    if (decimal > numerator / denominator) {
      ;[a, b] = [numerator, denominator]
    } else {
      ;[c, d] = [numerator, denominator]
    }
  }

  return { numerator, denominator }
}

export { fareyApproximation }