Talteori

‘I have a truly marvellous demonstration of this proposition which this margin is too narrow to contain.’It was with these words, written in the 1630s, that Pierre de Fermat intrigued and infuriated the mathematics community. For over 350 years, proving Fermat’s Last Theorem was the most notorious unsolved mathematical problem, a puzzle whose basics most children could grasp but whose solution eluded the greatest minds in the world. In 1993, after years of secret toil, Englishman Andrew Wiles announced to an astounded audience that he had cracked Fermat’s Last Theorem. He had no idea of the nightmare that lay ahead.In ‘Fermat’s Last Theorem’ Simon Singh has crafted a remarkable tale of intellectual endeavour spanning three centuries, and a moving testament to the obsession, sacrifice and extraordinary determination of Andrew Wiles: one man against all the odds.

Introducing the Collins Modern Classics, a series featuring some of the most significant books of recent times, books that shed light on the human experience – classics which will endure for generations to come. ‘Maths is one of the purest forms of thought, and to outsiders mathematicians may seem almost otherworldly’ In 1963, schoolboy Andrew Wiles stumbled across the world’s greatest mathematical problem: Fermat’s Last Theorem. Unsolved for over 300 years, he dreamed of cracking it.Combining thrilling storytelling with a fascinating history of scientific discovery, Simon Singh uncovers how an Englishman, after years of secret toil, finally solved mathematics’ most challenging problem.Fermat’s Last Theorem is remarkable story of human endeavour, obsession and intellectual brilliance, sealing its reputation as a classic of popular science writing. ‘To read it is to realise that there is a world of beauty and intellectual challenge that is denied to 99.9 per cent of us who are not high-level mathematicians’The Times

This revised and enlarged sixth edition of Proofs from THE BOOK features an entirely new chapter on Van der Waerden’s permanent conjecture, as well as additional, highly original and delightful proofs in other chapters.From the citation on the occasion of the 2018 "Steele Prize for Mathematical Exposition"“… It is almost impossible to write a mathematics book that can be read and enjoyed by people of all levels and backgrounds, yet Aigner and Ziegler accomplish this feat of exposition with virtuoso style. […] This book does an invaluable service to mathematics, by illustrating for non-mathematicians what it is that mathematicians mean when they speak about beauty.”From the Reviews"... Inside PFTB (Proofs from The Book) is indeed a glimpse of mathematical heaven, where clever insights and beautiful ideas combine in astonishing and glorious ways. There is vast wealth within its pages, one gem after another. ... Aigner and Ziegler... write: "... all we offer is the examples that we have selected, hoping that our readers will share our enthusiasm about brilliant ideas, clever insights and wonderful observations." I do. ... "Notices of the AMS, August 1999"... This book is a pleasure to hold and to look at: ample margins, nice photos, instructive pictures and beautiful drawings ... It is a pleasure to read as well: the style is clear and entertaining, the level is close to elementary, the necessary background is given separately and the proofs are brilliant. ..."LMS Newsletter, January 1999"Martin Aigner and Günter Ziegler succeeded admirably in putting together a broad collection of theorems and their proofs that would undoubtedly be in the Book of Erdös. The theorems are so fundamental, their proofs so elegant and the remaining open questions so intriguing that every mathematician, regardless of speciality, can benefit from reading this book. ..." SIGACT News, December 2011

From the reviews of the second edition:"This book covers many interesting topics not usually covered in a present day undergraduate course, as well as certain basic topics such as the development of the calculus and the solution of polynomial equations.

Understanding maths has never been easier.Combining bold, elegant graphics with easy-to-understand text, Simply Maths is the perfect introduction to the subject for those who are short of time but hungry for knowledge.Covering more than 90 key mathematical concepts from prime numbers and fractions to quadratic equations and probability experiments, each pared-back, single-page entry explains the concept more clearly than ever before.Organized by major themes - number theory and systems; calculations; geometry; algebra; graphs; ratio and proportion; measurement; probability and statistics; and calculus - entries explain the essentials of each key mathematical theory with simple clarity and for ease of understanding.Whether you are studying maths at school or college, or simply want a jargon-free overview of the subject, this indispensable guide is packed with everything you need to understand the basics quickly and easily.

The theory of elliptic curves involves a pleasing blend of algebra, geometry, analysis, and number theory. This volume stresses this interplay as it develops the basic theory, thereby providing an opportunity for advanced undergraduates to appreciate the unity of modern mathematics. At the same time, every effort has been made to use only methods and results commonly included in the undergraduate curriculum. This accessibility, the informal writing style, and a wealth of exercises make Rational Points on Elliptic Curves an ideal introduction for students at all levels who are interested in learning about Diophantine equations and arithmetic geometry.Most concretely, an elliptic curve is the set of zeroes of a cubic polynomial in two variables. If the polynomial has rational coefficients, then one can ask for a description of those zeroes whose coordinates are either integers or rational numbers. It is this number theoretic question that is the main subject of Rational Points on Elliptic Curves. Topics covered include the geometry and group structure of elliptic curves, the Nagell–Lutz theorem describing points of finite order, the Mordell–Weil theorem on the finite generation of the group of rational points, the Thue–Siegel theorem on the finiteness of the set of integer points, theorems on counting points with coordinates in finite fields, Lenstra's elliptic curve factorization algorithm, and a discussion of complex multiplication and the Galois representations associated to torsion points. Additional topics new to the second edition include an introduction to elliptic curve cryptography and a brief discussion of the stunning proof of Fermat's Last Theorem by Wiles et al. via the use of elliptic curves.

Prime numbers are beautiful, mysterious, and beguiling mathematical objects. The mathematician Bernhard Riemann made a celebrated conjecture about primes in 1859, the so-called Riemann hypothesis, which remains one of the most important unsolved problems in mathematics. Through the deep insights of the authors, this book introduces primes and explains the Riemann hypothesis. Students with a minimal mathematical background and scholars alike will enjoy this comprehensive discussion of primes. The first part of the book will inspire the curiosity of a general reader with an accessible explanation of the key ideas. The exposition of these ideas is generously illuminated by computational graphics that exhibit the key concepts and phenomena in enticing detail. Readers with more mathematical experience will then go deeper into the structure of primes and see how the Riemann hypothesis relates to Fourier analysis using the vocabulary of spectra. Readers with a strong mathematical background will be able to connect these ideas to historical formulations of the Riemann hypothesis.

This long-anticipated work shares the aims of its celebrated companion: namely, to provide an introduction for students and a reference for researchers to the techniques, results, and terminology of multiplicative number theory. This volume builds on the earlier one (which served as an introduction to basic, classical results) and focuses on sieve methods. This area has witnessed a number of major advances in recent years, e.g. gaps between primes, large values of Dirichlet polynomials and zero density estimates, all of which feature here. Despite the fact that the book can serve as an entry to contemporary mathematics, it remains largely self-contained, with appendices containing background or material more advanced than undergraduate mathematics. Again, exercises, of which there is a profusion, illustrate the theory or indicate ways in which it can be developed. Each chapter ends with a thorough set of references, which will be essential for all analytic number theorists.

Analytic Number Theory distinguishes itself by the variety of tools it uses to establish results, many of which belong to the mainstream of arithmetic. One of the main attractions of analytic number theory is the vast diversity of concepts and methods it includes. The main goal of the book is to show the scope of the theory, both in classical and modern directions, and to exhibit its wealth and prospects, its beautiful theorems and powerful techniques.The book is written with graduate students in mind, and the authors tried to balance between clarity, completeness, and generality. The exercises in each section serve a dual purpose, with some intended to improve the reader's understanding of the subject and others providing additional information. Formal prerequisites for the major part of the book do not go beyond calculus, complex analysis, integration, and Fourier series and integrals. In later chapters automorphic forms become important, with much necessary information about them included in two survey chapters.

This book provides a foundation for arithmetic topology, a new branch of mathematics that investigates the analogies between the topology of knots, 3-manifolds, and the arithmetic of number fields.

Elliptic Tales describes the latest developments in number theory by looking at one of the most exciting unsolved problems in contemporary mathematics--the Birch and Swinnerton-Dyer Conjecture. In this book, Avner Ash and Robert Gross guide readers through the mathematics they need to understand this captivating problem. The key to the conjecture lies in elliptic curves, which may appear simple, but arise from some very deep--and often very mystifying--mathematical ideas. Using only basic algebra and calculus while presenting numerous eye-opening examples, Ash and Gross make these ideas accessible to general readers, and, in the process, venture to the very frontiers of modern mathematics.

Number theory is one of the oldest branches of mathematics that is primarily concerned with positive integers. While it has long been studied for its beauty and elegance as a branch of pure mathematics, it has seen a resurgence in recent years with the advent of the digital world for its modern applications in both computer science and cryptography. Number Theory: Step by Step is an undergraduate-level introduction to number theory that assumes no prior knowledge, but works to gradually increase the reader's confidence and ability to tackle more difficult material. The strength of the text is in its large number of examples and the step-by-step explanation of each topic as it is introduced to help aid understanding the abstract mathematics of number theory. It is compiled in such a way that allows self-study, with explicit solutions to all the set of problems freely available online via the companion website. Punctuating the text are short and engaging historical profiles that add context for the topics covered and provide a dynamic background for the subject matter.

Diophantine geometry has been studied by number theorists for thousands of years, since the time of Pythagoras, and has continued to be a rich area of ideas such as Fermat's Last Theorem, and most recently the ABC conjecture. This monograph is a bridge between the classical theory and modern approach via arithmetic geometry. The authors provide a clear path through the subject for graduate students and researchers. They have re-examined many results and much of the literature, and give a thorough account of several topics at a level not seen before in book form. The treatment is largely self-contained, with proofs given in full detail. Many results appear here for the first time. The book concludes with a comprehensive bibliography. It is destined to be a definitive reference on modern diophantine geometry, bringing a new standard of rigor and elegance to the field.

This book deals with several aspects of what is now called "explicit number theory." The central theme is the solution of Diophantine equations, i.e., equations or systems of polynomial equations which must be solved in integers, rational numbers or more generally in algebraic numbers. This theme, in particular, is the central motivation for the modern theory of arithmetic algebraic geometry. In this text, this is considered through three of its most basic aspects. The local aspect, global aspect, and the third aspect is the theory of zeta and L-functions. This last aspect can be considered as a unifying theme for the whole subject.

The computation of invariants of algebraic number fields such as integral bases, discriminants, prime decompositions, ideal class groups, and unit groups is important both for its own sake and for its numerous applications, for example, to the solution of Diophantine equations. The practical com­ pletion of this task (sometimes known as the Dedekind program) has been one of the major achievements of computational number theory in the past ten years, thanks to the efforts of many people. Even though some practical problems still exist, one can consider the subject as solved in a satisfactory manner, and it is now routine to ask a specialized Computer Algebra Sys­ tem such as Kant/Kash, liDIA, Magma, or Pari/GP, to perform number field computations that would have been unfeasible only ten years ago. The (very numerous) algorithms used are essentially all described in A Course in Com­ putational Algebraic Number Theory, GTM 138, first published in 1993 (third corrected printing 1996), which is referred to here as [CohO]. That text also treats other subjects such as elliptic curves, factoring, and primality testing. Itis important and natural to generalize these algorithms. Several gener­ alizations can be considered, but the most important are certainly the gen­ eralizations to global function fields (finite extensions of the field of rational functions in one variable overa finite field) and to relative extensions ofnum­ ber fields. As in [CohO], in the present book we will consider number fields only and not deal at all with function fields.

Prime numbers have fascinated mathematicians since the time of Euclid. This book presents some of our best tools to capture the properties of these fundamental objects, beginning with the most basic notions of asymptotic estimates and arriving at the forefront of mathematical research. Detailed proofs of the recent spectacular advances on small and large gaps between primes are made accessible for the first time in textbook form. Some other highlights include an introduction to probabilistic methods, a detailed study of sieves, and elements of the theory of pretentious multiplicative functions leading to a proof of Linnik's theorem. Throughout, the emphasis has been placed on explaining the main ideas rather than the most general results available. As a result, several methods are presented in terms of concrete examples that simplify technical details, and theorems are stated in a form that facilitates the understanding of their proof at the cost of sacrificing some generality. Each chapter concludes with numerous exercises of various levels of difficulty aimed to exemplify the material, as well as to expose the readers to more advanced topics and point them to further reading sources.

This book presents multiprecision algorithms used in number theory and elsewhere, such as extrapolation, numerical integration, numerical summation (including multiple zeta values and the Riemann-Siegel formula), evaluation and speed of convergence of continued fractions, Euler products and Euler sums, inverse Mellin transforms, and complex $L$-functions. For each task, many algorithms are presented, such as Gaussian and doubly-exponential integration, Euler-MacLaurin, Abel-Plana, Lagrange, and Monien summation. Each algorithm is given in detail, together with a complete implementation in the free Pari/GP system. These implementations serve both to make even more precise the inner workings of the algorithms, and to gently introduce advanced features of the Pari/GP language. This book will be appreciated by anyone interested in number theory, specifically in practical implementations, computer experiments and numerical algorithms that can be scaled to produce thousands of digits of accuracy.

Think of a number between one and ten.No, hang on, let's make this interesting. Between zero and infinity. Even if you stick to the whole numbers, there are a lot to choose from - an infinite number in fact. Throw in decimal fractions and infinity suddenly gets an awful lot bigger (is that even possible?) And then there are the negative numbers, the imaginary numbers, the irrational numbers like pi which never end. It literally never ends.The world of numbers is indeed strange and beautiful. Among its inhabitants are some really notable characters - pi, e, the "imaginary" number i and the famous golden ratio to name just a few. Prime numbers occupy a special status. Zero is very odd indeed: is it a number, or isn't it?How Numbers Work takes a tour of this mind-blowing but beautiful realm of numbers and the mathematical rules that connect them. Not only that, but take a crash course on the biggest unsolved problems that keep mathematicians up at night, find out about the strange and unexpected ways mathematics influences our everyday lives, and discover the incredible connection between numbers and reality itself.ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context.

Denna bok innehåller del II av den större studien och artikelsamlingen "Den första matematiken", som utgör en genomgång av några grundläggande begrepp och samband ur talteori och diskret matematik, med fördjupande eller reflekterande kommentarer. Artiklarna använder den speciella framställningsform eller layout som författaren valt att kalla för den holistiska. Boken riktar sig till studenter och lärare i matematik, data/IT, logik eller filosofi, men även till en allmän matematiskt eller filosofiskt intresserad publik.

Number theory is the branch of mathematics that is primarily concerned with the counting numbers. Of particular importance are the prime numbers, the 'building blocks' of our number system. The subject is an old one, dating back over two millennia to the ancient Greeks, and for many years has been studied for its intrinsic beauty and elegance, not least because several of its challenges are so easy to state that everyone can understand them, and yet no-one has ever been able to resolve them. But number theory has also recently become of great practical importance - in the area of cryptography, where the security of your credit card, and indeed of the nation's defence, depends on a result concerning prime numbers that dates back to the 18th century. Recent years have witnessed other spectacular developments, such as Andrew Wiles's proof of 'Fermat's last theorem' (unproved for over 250 years) and some exciting work on prime numbers. In this Very Short Introduction Robin Wilson introduces the main areas of classical number theory, both ancient and modern. Drawing on the work of many of the greatest mathematicians of the past, such as Euclid, Fermat, Euler, and Gauss, he situates some of the most interesting and creative problems in the area in their historical context.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

How do you remember more and forget less? How can you earn more and become more creative just by moving house? And how do you pack a car boot most efficiently? This is your shortcut to the art of the shortcut.Mathematics is full of better ways of thinking, and with over 2,000 years of knowledge to draw on, Oxford mathematician Marcus du Sautoy interrogates his passion for shortcuts in this fresh and fascinating guide. After all, shortcuts have enabled so much of human progress, whether in constructing the first cities around the Euphrates 5,000 years ago, using calculus to determine the scale of the universe or in writing today’s algorithms that help us find a new life partner.As well as looking at the most useful shortcuts in history – such as measuring the circumference of the earth in 240 BC to diagrams that illustrate how modern GPS works – Marcus also looks at how you can use shortcuts in investing or how to learn a musical instrument to memory techniques. He talks to, among many, the writer Robert MacFarlane, cellist Natalie Clein and the psychologist Suzie Orbach, asking whether shortcuts are always the best idea and, if so, when they use them.With engaging puzzles and conundrums throughout to illustrate the shortcut’s ability to find solutions with speed, Thinking Better offers many clever strategies for daily complex problems.

Matrix Methods: Applied Linear Algebra and Sabermetrics, Fourth Edition, provides a unique and comprehensive balance between the theory and computation of matrices. Rapid changes in technology have made this valuable overview on the application of matrices relevant not just to mathematicians, but to a broad range of other fields. Matrix methods, the essence of linear algebra, can be used to help physical scientists-- chemists, physicists, engineers, statisticians, and economists-- solve real world problems.

Provides early coverage of applications like Markov chains, graph theory and Leontief Models Contains accessible content that requires only a firm understanding of algebra Includes dedicated chapters on Linear Programming and Markov Chains

Linear Algebra: Algorithms, Applications, and Techniques, Fourth Edition offers a modern and algorithmic approach to computation while providing clear and straightforward theoretical background information. The book guides readers through the major applications, with chapters on properties of real numbers, proof techniques, matrices, vector spaces, linear transformations, eigen values, and Euclidean inner products. Appendices on Jordan canonical forms and Markov chains are included for further study. This useful textbook presents broad and balanced views of theory, with key material highlighted and summarized in each chapter. To further support student practice, the book also includes ample exercises with answers and hints. Introduces deductive reasoning and helps the reader develop a facility with mathematical proofs Provides a balanced approach to computation and theory by offering computational algorithms for finding eigenvalues and eigenvectors Offers excellent exercise sets, ranging from drill to theoretical/challenging, along with useful and interesting applications not found in other introductory linear algebra texts

Our grasp of numbers and uncertainty is one of humankind's most distinctive and important traits. It is pivotal to our exceptional ability to control the world around us as we make short-term choices and forecast far into the future. But very smart people can struggle with numbers in ways that pose negative consequences for their decision making. Numeric ability equips individuals with vital tools that allow them to take charge of various aspects of their life. The more numerate enjoy superior health, wealth, and employment outcomes, while the innumerate remain more vulnerable.This book presents the logic, rules, and habits that highly numerate people use in decision making. Innumeracy in the Wild also introduces two additional ways of knowing numbers that complement and compensate for lower numeric ability and explores how numeric abilities develop and where mistakes are made. It offers a state-of-the-art review of the now sizeable body of psychological and applied findings that demonstrate the critical importance of numeracy in our world. With more than two decades of experience in the decision sciences, Ellen Peters demonstrates how intervention can foster adult numeric capacity, propel people to use numeric facts in decision making, and empower those with lower numeracy to reason better.

Like the intriguing Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, Catalan numbers are also ubiquitous. "They have the same delightful propensity for popping up unexpectedly, particularly in combinatorial problems," Martin Gardner wrote in Scientific American. "Indeed, the Catalan sequence is probably the most frequently encountered sequence that is still obscure enough to cause mathematicians lacking access to Sloane's Handbook of Integer Sequences to expend inordinate amounts of energy re-discovering formulas that were worked out long ago," he continued. As Gardner noted, many mathematicians may know the abc's of Catalan sequence, but not many are familiar with the myriad of their unexpected occurrences, applications, and properties; they crop up in chess boards, computer programming, and even train tracks. This book presents a clear and comprehensive introduction to one of the truly fascinating topics in mathematics. Catalan numbers are named after the Belgian mathematician Eugene Charles Catalan (1814-1894), who "discovered" them in 1838, though he was not the first person to discover them. The great Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler (1707-1763) "discovered" them around 1756, but even before then and though his work was not known to the outside world, Chinese mathematician Antu Ming (1692?-1763) first discovered Catalan numbers about 1730. A great source of fun for both amateurs and mathematicians, they can be used by teachers and professors to generate excitement among students for exploration and intellectual curiosity and to sharpen a variety of mathematical skills and tools, such as pattern recognition, conjecturing, proof-techniques, and problem-solving techniques. This book is not intended for mathematicians only but for a much larger audience, including high school students, math and science teachers, computer scientists, and those amateurs with a modicum of mathematical curiosity. An invaluable resource book, it contains an intriguing array of applications to computer science, abstract algebra, combinatorics, geometry, graph theory, chess, and world series.