This algorithm is known in mathematics as the Sieve of Eratosthenes. In mathematics, the sieve of Eratosthenes (Greek: κόσκινον Ἐρατοσθένους), one of a number of prime number sieves, is a simple, ancient algorithm for finding all prime numbers up to any given limit. It does so by iteratively marking as composite, i.e., not prime, the multiples of each prime, starting with the multiples of 2. The multiples of a given prime are generated starting from that prime, as a sequence of numbers with the same difference, equal to that prime, between consecutive numbers. This is the sieve's key distinction from using trial division to sequentially test each candidate number for divisibility by each prime. Works Eratosthenes was one of the most pre-eminent scholarly figures of his time, and produced works covering a vast area of knowledge before and during his time at the Library. He wrote on many topicsgeography, mathematics, philosophy, chronology, literary criticism, grammar, poetry, and even old comedies. Unfortunately, there are no documents left of his work after the destruction of the Library of Alexandria. Titles Platonikos Hermes Erigone Chronographies Olympic Victors Περὶ τῆς ἀναμετρήσεως τῆς γῆς (On the Measurement of the Earth) (lost, summarized by Cleomedes) Гεωγραϕικά (Geographika) (lost, criticized by Strabo) Arsinoe (a memoir of queen Arsinoe; lost; quoted by Athenaeus in the Deipnosophistae) Ariston (concerning Aristo of Chios' addiction to luxury); lost; quoted by Athenaeus in the Deipnosophistae) The Catasterismi (Katasterismoi), a lost collection of Hellenistic myths about the constellations, was attributed to Eratosthenes. See also Aristarchus of Samos (), a Greek mathematician who calculated the distance from the Earth to the Sun. Eratosthenes (crater) on the Moon. Eratosthenian period in the lunar geologic timescale. Eratosthenes Seamount in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Eratosthenes Point in Antarctica. Hipparchus (), a Greek mathematician who measured the radii of the Sun and the Moon as well as their distances from the Earth. Posidonius (), a Greek astronomer and mathematician who calculated the circumference of the Earth. Notes References Further reading Aujac, G. (2001). Eratosthène de Cyrène, le pionnier de la géographie. Paris: Édition du CTHS. 224 p. Fuentes González, P. P., "Ératosthène de Cyrène", in R. Goulet (ed.), Dictionnaire des Philosophes Antiques, vol. III, Paris, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, 2000, pp. 188–236. Geus K. (2002). Eratosthenes von Kyrene. Studien zur hellenistischen Kultur- und Wissenschaftgeschichte. München: Verlag C.H. Beck. (Münchener Beiträge zur Papyrusforschung und antiken Rechtsgeschichte. Bd.