ubuntu2404
Elementary Number Theory with SageMath
Learning Objectives
By the end of this notebook, you will:
Master fundamental concepts of prime numbers and factorization
Understand and apply the Euclidean algorithm and its extensions
Work confidently with modular arithmetic and congruences
Solve systems of congruences using the Chinese Remainder Theorem
Explore important number theory functions like Euler's totient
Apply number theory to solve Diophantine equations
Prerequisites
Basic algebra and mathematical reasoning
Familiarity with SageMath (helpful but not required)
Interest in patterns and mathematical structures
Why Study Number Theory?
Number theory is the "Queen of Mathematics" - it reveals beautiful patterns in integers and has surprising applications in cryptography, computer science, and pure mathematics.
Historical Context: The Ancient Art of Numbers
Number theory has fascinated mathematicians for millennia:
Ancient Times: Greeks studied perfect numbers and prime patterns 300 BCE: Euclid proved infinitude of primes and developed the famous algorithm 1600s: Fermat posed famous conjectures (Fermat's Little Theorem, Last Theorem) 1700s: Euler introduced the totient function and proved many fundamental results 1800s: Gauss developed modular arithmetic and quadratic reciprocity 1900s: Number theory became essential for cryptography and computer science
The Fundamental Questions:
Which numbers are prime?
How do we find greatest common divisors?
What patterns exist in modular arithmetic?
How do we solve equations with integer solutions?
Let's explore these timeless questions using modern computational tools!
Chapter 1: Prime Numbers - The Building Blocks
Prime numbers are integers greater than 1 that have no positive divisors other than 1 and themselves.
Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic:
Every integer greater than 1 either is prime or can be written as a unique product of primes.
This makes primes the "atoms" of the integers!
Chapter 2: The Euclidean Algorithm - Finding Common Ground
The Euclidean Algorithm is one of the oldest algorithms in mathematics (circa 300 BCE). It efficiently finds the greatest common divisor of two numbers.
Key Insight:
This simple recursive relationship leads to profound mathematical insights!
Chapter 3: Modular Arithmetic - Mathematics with Wrap-Around
Modular arithmetic is arithmetic "modulo" a fixed positive integer called the modulus.
We write:
This means "a and b have the same remainder when divided by m".
Why It Matters:
Clock arithmetic (12-hour cycles)
Computer arithmetic (fixed bit sizes)
Cryptography (RSA, elliptic curves)
Abstract algebra (groups, rings)
Chapter 4: Congruences and the Chinese Remainder Theorem
Congruences are equations involving modular arithmetic. The Chinese Remainder Theorem is a powerful tool for solving systems of congruences.
The Big Idea:
If we know the remainders of a number when divided by several pairwise coprime moduli, we can uniquely determine the number modulo their product.
This has applications in:
Computer arithmetic
Cryptography
Calendar systems
Error-correcting codes
Chapter 5: Number Theory Functions
Several important functions appear throughout number theory:
Euler's Totient Function φ(n):
Counts integers from 1 to n that are coprime to n
Divisor Functions:
τ(n) or d(n): Number of divisors
σ(n): Sum of divisors
Möbius Function μ(n):
Detects square-free numbers and their prime factor count
These functions reveal deep arithmetic properties!
Chapter 6: Diophantine Equations
Diophantine equations seek integer solutions to polynomial equations. Named after Diophantus of Alexandria (circa 250 CE), these problems bridge number theory and algebra.
Types We'll Explore:
Linear: ax + by = c
Pythagorean triples: x² + y² = z²
Pell's equation: x² - Dy² = 1
Why They Matter:
Fundamental to algebraic number theory
Applications in cryptography
Beautiful mathematical structures
Connect to famous conjectures (Fermat's Last Theorem)
Practice Problems
Test your understanding of elementary number theory:
CoCalc Platform Features for Number Theory
This notebook leverages CoCalc's powerful features:
Number Theory Specific Benefits:
SageMath integration: Built-in number theory functions
Symbolic computation: Exact arithmetic with large integers
Collaborative research: Share proofs and computations
LaTeX support: Beautiful mathematical typesetting
Advanced Features:
Large integer arithmetic: Handle RSA-sized numbers
Primality testing: Miller-Rabin and other advanced tests
Factorization algorithms: Pollard rho, quadratic sieve
Elliptic curves: Modern cryptographic applications
Key Theorems and Results:
Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic: Unique prime factorization
Euclidean Algorithm: Ancient but efficient GCD method
Fermat's Little Theorem: a^(p-1) ≡ 1 (mod p) for prime p
Chinese Remainder Theorem: Solving congruence systems
Euler's Theorem: Generalization of Fermat's Little Theorem
Noteworthy Connections:
Number theory connects to cryptography (RSA, elliptic curves)
Geometry appears in Pythagorean triples and rational points
Abstract algebra emerges from modular arithmetic
Analysis enters through prime distribution and L-functions
Applications:
Computer Security: RSA encryption, digital signatures
Error Correction: Coding theory and data integrity
Algorithm Design: Hashing, pseudorandom generation
Pure Mathematics: Foundation for advanced number theory
The Journey Continues:
Elementary number theory is just the beginning! Advanced topics await:
Quadratic forms and reciprocity laws
Algebraic integers and class field theory
L-functions and the Riemann hypothesis
Elliptic curves and modern arithmetic geometry
"Mathematics is the queen of sciences, and number theory is the queen of mathematics." - Carl Friedrich Gauss
You've now explored the royal court of mathematics!