What Is the Luhn Algorithm?

The Luhn algorithm—also known as the “Modulus 10 algorithm”—is a formula that is used to determine whether the identification number provided by a user is accurate. The formula is widely used in validating credit card numbers, as well as other number sequences such as government 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Social Security numbers (SSNs).

Today, the Luhn algorithm is an essential component in the electronic payments system and is used by🀅 all majo꧙r credit cards.

How the Luhn Algorithm Works

The Luhn algorithm is widely used to validate the authenticity of identificatiಌon numbers, such as Social Security and credit card numbers.

History of the Luhn Algorithm

The Luhn formula algorithm was developed by a German Computer Scientist named Hans Peter Luhn in 1954 while working as a researcher at IBM. The exact workings of the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:algorithm are based on modular arithmetic, a mathematical technique developed by Carl Friedrich Gauss in the early 19th century. Although its detailed workings are rather complex, it is best known for allowing computers to quickly assess whether the credit card numbers provided by customers are accurate.

Luhn Algorithm Process

The Luhn algorithm applies a series of computations to the credit card number given, adding up the results of those computations, and checking whether the resulting number matches the expected result. If it matches, the credit number is deemed valid. If it's an incorrect match, the algorithm will reject the credit card number, indicating the user made an error when inputting the number.

How the Luhn Algorithm Is Used

From a customer’s perspective, we frequently use the Luhn algorithm when placing orders online or using a merchant’s 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:point of sale (POS) terminal. ☂The computer system can quickly tell when we have input the incorr💧ect credit card information since the Luhn algorithm has been incorporated into those systems’ programming.

Without it, we would need to wait until the entire purchase order💙 is submitted before realizing the transaction was approved. In other words, the Luhn algorithm helps us quicklღy identify user errors, thereby speeding up the pace of transactions.

Real-World Examples of the Luhn Algorithm

One of the central concepts within the Luhn algorithm is the use☂ of so-called “check digits.” These digits consist of numbers that are inserted into the broader number sequence in order to help verify, or “check,” whether the whole nuℱmber is authentic.

For credit cards, the check digit consists of a single digꦇit printed at the end of the credit card number. Rather than being specifically chosen by the credit card company, the ch♏eck digit is automatically determined by the Luhn algorithm based on the preceding numbers in the sequence. When users enter their credit card numbers to complete a payment, the credit card processing software can use the Luhn algorithm to detect whether the specified number is accurate, based in part on its check digit.

Today, the Luhn algorithm is integrated into popular programming languages and code libraries, making it relatively easy to include Luhn-based identific🔯ation number verification in new software applications.

The Bottom Line

The Luhn algorithm is a formula used to determine whether a user's identification number is accurate. Examples of use cases for the Luhn 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:algorithm include validating♓ credit card Socialღ Security numbers (SSNs).