TITLE: Calculating the gcd of complex numbers
QUESTION [12 upvotes]: I need help in calculating the gcd of complex numbers
For Example: $\gcd(3+i,1-i)$.
The problem is,I don't even know what's the algorithm for complex numbers...

REPLY [7 votes]: Just to be a little clearer on the algorithm.
$3+i$ has a larger norm than $1-i$, $\sqrt{\mathstrut10}=|3+i|>|1-i|=\sqrt{2}$. So we will proceed by dividing the larger norm number by the smaller one.
Now I will from now on call $N(a+ib)=a^2+b^2$ the norm of a complex number, cf norm of a gaussian integer.
If both $a,b\neq0$, then $a+ib$ is a gaussian prime iff $N(a+ib)$ is an ordinary prime, again cf gaussian prime.
In the case of $1-i$, $N(1-i)=2$ which is a gaussian prime so we will be dividing by a prime number.
The same thing will happen therefore as with ordinary primes, either they will be co-prime or $1-i$ will be the gcd.
$$\frac{3+i}{1-i}=\frac{(3+i)(1+i)}{2}=\frac{2+4i}{2}=1+2i$$
Now $1+2i\in \Bbb{Z}[i]$, so there is no remainder, it divided in exactly. Also  $N(1+2i)=5$ which is prime so we have factored $$3+i=(1-i)(1+2i) \text{ into primes}$$
This isn't the only factorisation but the other differ by units, multiples of $1,-1,i,-i$.
Thus the $\gcd(3+i,1-i)=1-i$.
Edit
One more example which is a little less trivial is $\gcd(3+13i,4+3i)$.
Again divide the one with larger Norm by the one with smaller Norm, we can use $N(3+13i)=178>25=N(4+3i)$. So
$$\frac{3+13i}{4+3i}=\frac{(3+13i)(4-3i)}{25}=\frac{51}{25}+\frac{43}{25}i$$
Now since $2<\frac{51}{25}<2.5$ and $1.5<\frac{43}{25}<2$ take $\gamma_1=2(1+i)$
So $3+13i=(4+3i)\gamma_1+\rho_1$, where $\rho_1=1-i$.
Notice that $N(1-i)=2<25=N(4+3i)$, we're on the right track.
In the next step, like the ordinary euclidean algorithm write
$4+3i=(1-i)\gamma_2+\rho_2$ and $\frac{4+3i}{1-i}=\frac{1+7i}{2}$
so we'll take $\gamma_2=3i$, by rounding, and thus $\rho_2=1$. Now we could do the next step but since $\rho_2$ is a unit, we'll just get zero in the next step anyway for the remainder. 
Thus the $\gcd(3+13i,4+3i)=1$, which is a bit anticlimactic but still.