A digital signal processor (DSP) includes an instruction fetch unit, an instruction decode unit, a register set and a plurality of work units in communication with the instruction decode unit. A first embodiment calculates two divisions on packed numerators and packed denominators. The DSP work units calculate indexes into a 1/d look-up table and make a final sign correction. A second embodiment calculates an approximation of a vector magnitude of a complex number x+jy. The approximation is based upon √(x2+y2)≈α*max(|x|, |y|)+β*min(|x|, |y|). The DSP work units calculate the absolute values, find the maxima and minima, and form the packed results of two vector magnitude calculations.