B Term for continuously halving a number

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The discussion revolves around the mathematical concept of continuously halving a number until a non-integer is reached. Participants explore various terms and functions related to this process, such as the greatest odd divisor and methods for binary representation. Suggestions for catchy names include "Shift 'til you lift" and "POP Factor," emphasizing the playful nature of the conversation. The idea of trimming trailing zero-bits in binary notation is also mentioned as a potential approach. Ultimately, the dialogue highlights the challenge of finding a precise term for this mathematical operation.
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What is the mathematical term for continuously halving a number until you won't result in a whole number.
It's been a long time since I've had a need for my math knowledge and as a result, sadly, a lot has been forgotten. I had a thought the other day and it has been bugging me ever since. What is the mathematical term for when you continually divide any number by 2 until you no longer get a whole number, what is the function for this?

For example if I had 8/2=4 then 4/2=2 then 2/2=1 and the answer would be 1
or
94/2=47 the answer is 47

Am I just driving myself crazy thinking there is a term or proper way of writing it when it's just simply halving a number until you can't? Ahh the mind is a terrible thing to lose.
 
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I don't think there's a term for it. I guess you could describe it as the greatest odd divisor of the number.
 
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Write it in binary. Shift the bits right to remove the zero bits at the end. Stop when the rightmost bit is a 1.
 
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Removing all the factors of two? Or finding the largest odd factor?
 
robphy said:
Write it in binary. Shift the bits right to remove the zero bits at the end. Stop when the rightmost bit is a 1.

Oh nice, we can give this a snappy name. Shift 'til you lift (the rightmost digit from a 0 to a 1).

You just mumble the parenthetical part as fast as you can.
 
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Right-normalized floating point?
 
Here’s a catchy name:
trim trailing zeroes...
but maybe it’s more precise to say:
trim trailing zero-bits
 
My suggestion: POP Factor (product (of) odd prime factors). Could even be a television show.
 

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