Preface
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 July 2010
Summary
Elementary Number Theory in Nine Chapters is primarily intended for a one-semester course for upper-level students of mathematics, in particular, for prospective secondary school teachers. The basic concepts illustrated in the text can be readily grasped if the reader has a good background in high school mathematics and an inquiring mind. Earlier versions of the text have been used in undergraduate classes at Providence College and at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
The exercises contain a number of elementary as well as challenging problems. It is intended that the book should be read with pencil in hand and an honest attempt made to solve the exercises. The exercises are not just there to assure readers that they have mastered the material, but to make them think and grow in mathematical maturity.
While this is not intended to be a history of number theory text, a genuine attempt is made to give the reader some insight into the origin and evolution of many of the results mentioned in the text. A number of historical vignettes are included to humanize the mathematics involved. An algorithm devised by Nicholas Saunderson the blind Cambridge mathematician is highlighted. The exercises are intended to complement the historical component of the course.
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- Elementary Number Theory in Nine Chapters , pp. ix - xiiPublisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2005