A calculation is performed on a first number and a second number. For each bit of the second number a first function is performed. The first function inputs include contents of a first register, contents of a second register and the first number. A result of the first function is placed in a third register. For each bit of the second number, a second function is performed which has as inputs contents of the third register and the contents of a selected one of the first and the second register according to a state of a current bit of the second number. A result of the second function is stored in the selected one of the first and second register.