Based on Ross Paterson's suggestion, a short explanation of the
meaning of gcd, and a mention of possible negative results.
in if even e then (nn :% dd) else (negate nn :% dd)
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in if even e then (nn :% dd) else (negate nn :% dd)
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--- | @'gcd' x y@ is the greatest (nonnegative) integer that divides both @x@
--- and @y@; for example @'gcd' (-3) 6@ = @3@, @'gcd' (-3) (-6)@ = @3@,
--- @'gcd' 0 4@ = @4@. @'gcd' 0 0@ = @0@.
+-- | @'gcd' x y@ is the non-negative factor of both @x@ and @y@ of which
+-- every common factor of @x@ and @y@ is also a factor; for example
+-- @'gcd' 4 2 = 2@, @'gcd' (-4) 6 = 2@, @'gcd' 0 4@ = @4@. @'gcd' 0 0@ = @0@.
+-- (That is, the common divisor that is \"greatest\" in the divisibility
+-- preordering.)
+--
+-- Note: Since for signed fixed-width integer types, @'abs' 'minBound' < 0@,
+-- the result may be negative if one of the arguments is @'minBound'@ (and
+-- necessarily is if the other is @0@ or @'minBound'@) for such types.
gcd :: (Integral a) => a -> a -> a
gcd x y = gcd' (abs x) (abs y)
where gcd' a 0 = a
gcd :: (Integral a) => a -> a -> a
gcd x y = gcd' (abs x) (abs y)
where gcd' a 0 = a