Elementary Cryptanalysis: A Mathematical Approach

Most people, acquainted with cryptology either through sensational cloak and dagger stories or through newspaper cryptograms, are not aware that many aspects of this art may be treated systematically, by means of some elementary mathematical concepts and methods. In this introduction, Professor Sinkov explains some of the fundamental techniques at the heart of cryptanalytic endeavor from which much more sophisticated techniques have evolved, especially since the advent of computers. The mathematical topics relevant in these discussions include modular arithmetic, a little number theory, some linear algebra of two dimensions with matrices, some combinatorics, and a little statistics. This second edition has been revised and updated by Todd Fiel, and now includes discussion of the RSA method.

Originally published in the New Mathematical Library almost half a century ago, this charming book explains how to solve cryptograms based on elementary mathematical principles, starting with the Caesar cipher and building up to progressively more sophisticated substitution methods. Todd Feil has updated the book for the technological age by adding two new chapters covering RSA public-key cryptography, one-time pads, and pseudo-random-number generators.Exercises are given throughout the text that will help the reader understand the concepts and practice the techniques presented. Software to ease the drudgery of making the necessary calculations is made available. The book assumes minimal mathematical prerequisites and therefore explains from scratch such concepts as summation notation, matrix multiplication, and modular arithmetic. Even the mathematically sophisticated reader, however, will find some of the exercises challenging. (Answers to the exercises appear in an appendix.)