This volume contains the proceedings of the workshop held at the DIMACS Center of Rutgers University (Piscataway, NJ) on Unusual Applications of Number Theory. Standard applications of number theory are to computer science and cryptology. In this volume, well-known number theorist, Melvyn B. Nathanson, gathers articles from the workshop on other, less standard applications in number theory, as well as topics in number theory with potential applications in science and engineering. The material is suitable for graduate students and researchers interested in number theory and its applications.

This book provides an overview of many interesting properties of natural numbers, demonstrating their applications in areas such as cryptography, geometry, astronomy, mechanics, computer science, and recreational mathematics. In particular, it presents the main ideas of error-detecting and error-correcting codes, digital signatures, hashing functions, generators of pseudorandom numbers, and the RSA method based on large prime numbers. A diverse array of topics is covered, from the properties and applications of prime numbers, some surprising connections between number theory and graph theory, pseudoprimes, Fibonacci and Lucas numbers, and the construction of Magic and Latin squares, to the mathematics behind Prague’s astronomical clock. Introducing a general mathematical audience to some of the basic ideas and algebraic methods connected with various types of natural numbers, the book will provide invaluable reading for amateurs and professionals alike.

This gentle introduction to discrete mathematics is written for first and second year math majors, especially those who intend to teach. The text began as a set of lecture notes for the discrete mathematics course at the University of Northern Colorado. This course serves both as an introduction to topics in discrete math and as the "introduction to proof" course for math majors. The course is usually taught with a large amount of student inquiry, and this text is written to help facilitate this. Four main topics are covered: counting, sequences, logic, and graph theory. Along the way proofs are introduced, including proofs by contradiction, proofs by induction, and combinatorial proofs. The book contains over 360 exercises, including 230 with solutions and 130 more involved problems suitable for homework. There are also Investigate! activities throughout the text to support active, inquiry based learning. While there are many fine discrete math textbooks available, this text has the following advantages: It is written to be used in an inquiry rich course. It is written to be used in a course for future math teachers. It is open source, with low cost print editions and free electronic editions.

Exploring one of the most dynamic areas of mathematics, Advanced Number Theory with Applications covers a wide range of algebraic, analytic, combinatorial, cryptographic, and geometric aspects of number theory. Written by a recognized leader in algebra and number theory, the book includes a page reference for every citing in the bibliography and mo

One of the oldest branches of mathematics, number theory is a vast field devoted to studying the properties of whole numbers. Offering a flexible format for a one- or two-semester course, Introduction to Number Theory uses worked examples, numerous exercises, and two popular software packages to describe a diverse array of number theory topi

Cryptography is concerned with the conceptualization, definition and construction of computing systems that address security concerns. This book presents a rigorous and systematic treatment of the foundational issues: defining cryptographic tasks and solving new cryptographic problems using existing tools. It focuses on the basic mathematical tools: computational difficulty (one-way functions), pseudorandomness and zero-knowledge proofs. Rather than describing ad-hoc approaches, this book emphasizes the clarification of fundamental concepts and the demonstration of the feasibility of solving cryptographic problems. It is suitable for use in a graduate course on cryptography and as a reference book for experts.

"This book is the first volume of a two-volume textbook for undergraduates and is indeed the crystallization of a course offered by the author at the California Institute of Technology to undergraduates without any previous knowledge of number theory. For this reason, the book starts with the most elementary properties of the natural integers. Nevertheless, the text succeeds in presenting an enormous amount of material in little more than 300 pages."-—MATHEMATICAL REVIEWS