Number Theory for Computing

Mathematicians do not study objects, but relations among objectsj they are indifferent to the replacement of objects by others as long as relations do not change. Matter is not important, only form interests them. HENRI POINCARE (1854-1912) Computer scientists working on algorithms for factorization would be well advised to brush up on their number theory. IAN STEWART [219] The theory of numbers, in mathematics, is primarily the theory of the prop­ erties of integers (i.e., the whole numbers), particularly the positive integers. For example, Euclid proved 2000 years aga in his Elements that there exist infinitely many prime numbers. The subject has long been considered as the purest branch of mathematics, with very few applications to other areas. How­ ever, recent years have seen considerable increase in interest in several central topics of number theory, precisely because of their importance and applica­ tions in other areas, particularly in computing and information technology. There are many surprising connections between the theory of numbers, which is one of the oldest branches of mathematics, and computing and information theory. Number theory has important applications in computer organization and security, coding and cryptography, random number generation, hash functions, and graphics. Conversely, number theorists use computers in factoring large integers, determining primes, testing conjectures, and solving other problems. This book takes the reader from elementary number theory, via algorithmic number theory, to applied number theory in computer science. It introduces basic concepts, results, and methods, and discusses their applications in the design of hardware and software, cryptography, and security. It is aimed at undergraduates in computing and information technology, including electrical and electronic engineering, but will also interest mathematics students interested in applications. It presupposes only high-school math Front Matter....Pages I-XVIII Elementary Number Theory....Pages 1-137 Algorithmic Number Theory....Pages 139-258 Applied Number Theory....Pages 259-361 Back Matter....Pages 363-381