A Friendly Introduction To Number Theory

Starting with nothing more than basic high school algebra, this volume leads readers gradually from basic algebra to the point of actively performing mathematical research while getting a glimpse of current mathematical frontiers. Features an informal writing style and includes many numerical examples. Emphasizes the methods used for proving theorems rather than specific results. Includes a new chapter on big-Oh notation and how it is used to describe the growth rate of number theoretic functions and to describe the complexity of algorithms. Provides a new chapter that introduces the theory of continued fractions. Includes a new chapter on ";Continued Fractions, Square Roots and Pell’s Equation."; Contains additional historical material, including material on Pell’s equation and the Chinese Remainder Theorem. A useful reference for mathematics teachers.

This is an introductory undergraduate text designed to entice non-math majors into learning some mathematics, while teaching them to think mathematically at the same time. Starting with nothing more than basic high school algebra, the reader is gradu ally led from basic algebra to the point of actively performing mathematical research while getting a glimpse of current mathematical frontiers. The writing style is informal and includes many numerical examples which are analyzed for patterns and us ed to make conjectures. The emphasis is on the methods used for proving theorems rather than on specific results.