Chapter · Math

Number Theory

The integers, viewed up close. Primes, divisibility, congruences, Diophantine equations — and the strange depth that the simplest objects in mathematics can have. The Riemann Hypothesis is a question about the natural numbers.

Modular arithmetic — the workhorse of elementary number theory — lives in Number Systems › Modular Arithmetic.

Topics
Topic 1

Elementary Number Theory

Divisibility, primes, GCD, the Euclidean algorithm (and its Bézout-producing extension), the Fundamental Theorem of Arithmetic, and Euclid's infinitude proof.

14 min read
Topic 2

Arithmetic Functions & Primes

Multiplicative functions (τ, σ, φ, μ), Möbius inversion, the Riemann zeta function and its Euler product, the Prime Number Theorem, and the Riemann Hypothesis.

15 min read
Topic 3

Quadratic Reciprocity

The gem of elementary number theory. Quadratic residues, the Legendre symbol, Euler's criterion, and Gauss's law of reciprocity.

13 min read
Topic 4

Diophantine Equations

Equations seeking integer solutions. Linear, Pythagorean triples, Pell's equation, Fermat's Last Theorem, and Hilbert's tenth problem.

14 min read