Math 422: Introduction to Number Theory
Last updated on 1 May, 2008.
Course information
Information concerning tests, homework, and grading can be found at the
WebCT site (only accessible to current students).
Prerequisites:
Math 378: Number Systems.
Last time I taught this course (Fall 2005),
the course was called Math 372. It's number has changed
to reflect the change in prerequisites.
Handouts
Handout 1. Quotient-Remainder.
Handout 2. Divisors, GCDs, Primes.
Handout 3.
Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic
(sometimes called the Unique Factorization Theorem).
Handout 4.
Application of the Order Function.
Handout 5.
Linear Diophantine Equations.
Handout 6.
Congruences.
Handout 7.
Modular Arithmetic.
Handout 8.
Modular Arithmetic (part 2).
Handout 9.
Units in Zm and Linear Congruences.
Handout 10.
The Chinese Remainder Theorem.
Handout 11.
Fermat, Euler, and Wilson's Theorems.
Handout 12.
Polynomials and Lagrange's theorem.
Handout 13. Cyclic unit groups, Gauss' primitive root theorem.
Handout 14. Quadratic Residues.
Old Versions of the Handouts
Here are some handouts that I developed in the Fall of 2005. I will
update these for the Spring of 2008, but you can use them to get
a head start until I update them.
Background Assumptions for Number Theory
Quadratic Residues
Other Topics
Hasse Principle
Crypto article in
Wired magazine.
Key Dates
Nov 30 - Jan 18: Schedule adjustment period.
Jan 19 (Sat): Official first day of the Spring 2008 semester.
Jan 21 (Mon): Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - Campus closed.
Jan 23 (Wed): First day of Math 422.
Jan 19 - Feb 1 (Fri): Add/drop period. Open University registration.
Feb 1 (Fri): Last day to apply for Fall 2008 UG graduation.
Mar 31 - Apr 5: Spring break (Mon to Sat).
May 7 (Wed): Last day of Math 422.
May 9 (Friday): Last day of classes for Spring 08.
May 10 (Sat) - 16 (Fri): Final exam period.
May 14 (Wed): Final exam for Math 422. 7-9 AM.
May 16 (Fri): Official last day of the Spring 2008 semester.
May 22 (Thurs): Grades due from instructors (by 3:00 pm).
Jun 1 (Sun): Grades available on SMART System
(but check WebCT before then).
Instructor
Prof. Wayne Aitken
e-mail:
waitken@csusm.edu