An excellent introduction to the rich field of algorithms for computer arithmetic is provided. The book begins with a discussion of binary number systems and floating-point representations, including the IEEE standard. The next several chapters deal with algorithms for the fundamental operations of addition, multiplication, and division. There is a chapter on algorithms for the computation of elementary functions and finally one on logarithm and residue number systems. The book is well written, with exercises and a bibliography in each chapter, and it could be used as a text for senior undergraduate or first-year graduate students.

As the author mentions, complex algorithms for even the basic operations of multiplication and division have become more prevalent recently with the ever-increasing availability of memory and the demands for faster arithmetic processors. Yet it is rare to find these algorithms discussed in a readily available text like this one. Moreover, Koren discusses all these algorithms within the same framework, so their similarities and differences are more apparent.

The focus of the text is on the basic floating-point operations of addition, multiplication, and division, and these areas are covered well. The chapter on elementary functions is rather short, however; additional information and more examples here would have been welcome.