Python Program for Extended Euclidean Algorithms

Last Updated : 29 Oct, 2025

Given two numbers a and b, the task is to find their Extended GCD, i.e., the greatest common divisor g, and integers x and y such that: ax+by = g. This is known as Bézout’s identity, and it’s useful for solving linear Diophantine equations and finding modular inverses.

Let’s explore different ways to find the Extended GCD in Python.

Using Iterative Extended Euclidean Algorithm

This approach uses a loop to calculate both gcd and coefficients x, y such that ax + by = gcd(a, b). It avoids recursion stack usage and is memory-efficient.

Python

a, b = 35, 15
x0, x1, y0, y1 = 1, 0, 0, 1

while b:
    q = a // b
    a, b = b, a % b
    x0, x1 = x1, x0 - q * x1
    y0, y1 = y1, y0 - q * y1

print("GCD is", a)
print("x =", x0, ", y =", y0)

Output

GCD is 5
x = 1 , y = -2

Explanation:

x0, x1 and y0, y1 track coefficients for the equation.
q stores the quotient of division (a // b).
At each step, values are updated based on Euclid’s algorithm logic.
Once b becomes 0, a is the GCD, and x0, y0 are the required coefficients.

Using Recursive Extended Euclidean Algorithm

This is the traditional recursive approach that returns gcd, x, and y. It works by breaking down the problem recursively until the base case is reached.

Python

def gcdExtended(a, b):
    if a == 0:
        return b, 0, 1
    gcd, x1, y1 = gcdExtended(b % a, a)
    x = y1 - (b // a) * x1
    y = x1
    return gcd, x, y

a, b = 35, 15
g, x, y = gcdExtended(a, b)
print("GCD is", g)
print("x =", x, ", y =", y)

Output

GCD is 5
x = 1 , y = -2

Explanation:

The function calls itself recursively with the remainder until a becomes 0.
Backtracking computes the coefficients x and y satisfying the equation.
Final values of x, y form the Bézout coefficients.

Using Matrix Representation

This approach represents the coefficient updates as matrix multiplications, which can be useful for understanding and debugging iterative updates.

Python

a, b = 35, 15
x, y, u, v = 0, 1, 1, 0

while a != 0:
    q, r = divmod(b, a)
    b, a = a, r
    x, u = u - q * x, x
    y, v = v - q * y, y

print("GCD is", b)
print("x =", u, ", y =", v)

Output

GCD is 5
x = -2 , y = 1

Explanation:

divmod(b, a) gives quotient and remainder simultaneously.
Coefficients x, y, u, v track changes similar to matrix operations.
Once a becomes zero, b holds the GCD, and u, v are the required coefficients.

Using Built-in math.gcd()

Although this function doesn’t return the coefficients x and y, it’s the fastest way to get the GCD itself. It can serve as a quick validation check.

Python

import math
a, b = 35, 15
print("GCD is", math.gcd(a, b))

Output

GCD is 5

Explanation: math.gcd(a, b) efficiently computes the greatest common divisor using the Euclidean algorithm internally.

Please refer complete article on Basic and Extended Euclidean algorithms for more details!

kartik

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Article Tags :

Python

Python Program for Extended Euclidean Algorithms

Using Iterative Extended Euclidean Algorithm

Using Recursive Extended Euclidean Algorithm

Using Matrix Representation

Using Built-in math.gcd()

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