Prerequisites & Bulletin Description
Course Objectives
Students will learn of the role of number theory in the history of mathematics. Students will learn how to do number-theoretic proofs. Included among specific items they will be required to know are the following:
- Finding the greatest common divisor and least common multiple of a pair of natural numbers, and finding the linear form of the greatest common divisor.
- Prime factorization;
- Solving linear congruences and systems of simultaneous linear congruences;
- The theorems of Fermat, Wilson and Euler;
- Primitive roots modulo primes and prime powers;
- Determining whether a quadratic congruence has solutions, and if so, finding them.
Evaluation of Students
Students will be graded on the basis of their performance on midterm and final exams, plus presentation of solutions to assigned exercises in class. Each exam will include a proof.
Course Outline
| Topics | Number of Weeks |
|---|---|
| Binomial coefficients; induction | 1 week |
| Divisibility & Primes | 3 weeks |
| Congruences | 4 weeks |
| Number-theoretic functions | 2 weeks |
| Primitive roots | 2 weeks |
| Quadratic congruences | 3 weeks |
Textbooks & Software
Beginning Number Theory, 2nd Ed., by Neville Robbins.
Submitted by: Neville Robbins
Date: September 26, 2006