Search

In this book the author treats four fundamental and apparently simple problems. They are: the number of primes below a given limit, the ap­ proximate number of primes, the recognition of prime numbers and the factorization of large numbers. A chapter on the details of the distribution of the primes is included as well as a short description of a recent applica­ tion of prime numbers, the so-called RSA public-key cryptosystem. The author is also giving explicit algorithms and computer programs. Whilst not claiming completeness, the author has tried to give all important results known, including the latest discoveries. The use of computers has in this area promoted a development which has enormously enlarged the wealth of results known and that has made many older works and tables obsolete. As is often the case in number theory, the problems posed are easy to understand but the solutions are theoretically advanced. Since this text is aimed at the mathematically inclined layman, as well as at the more advanced student, not all of the proofs of the results given in this book are shown. Bibliographical references in these cases serve those readers who wish to probe deeper. References to recent original works are also given for those who wish to pursue some topic further. Since number theory is seldom taught in basic mathematics courses, the author has appended six sections containing all the algebra and number theory required for the main body of the book.

From the original hard cover edition:In the modern age of almost universal computer usage, practically every individual in a technologically developed society has routine access to the most up-to-date cryptographic technology that exists, the so-called RSA public-key cryptosystem. A major component of this system is the factorization of large numbers into their primes. Thus an ancient number-theory concept now plays a crucial role in communication among millions of people who may have little or no knowledge of even elementary mathematics. Hans Riesel's highly successful first edition of this book has now been enlarged and updated with the goal of satisfying the needs of researchers, students, practitioners of cryptography, and non-scientific readers with a mathematical inclination. It includes important advances in computational prime number theory and in factorization as well as re-computed and enlarged tables, accompanied by new tables reflecting current research by both the author and his coworkers and by independent researchers. The book treats four fundamental problems: the number of primes below a given limit, the approximate number of primes, the recognition of primes and the factorization of large numbers. The author provides explicit algorithms and computer programs, and has attempted to discuss as many of the classically important results as possible, as well as the most recent discoveries. The programs include are written in PASCAL to allow readers to translate the programs into the language of their own computers. The independent structure of each chapter of the book makes it highly readable for a wide variety of mathematicians, students of applied number theory, and others interested in both study and research in number theory and cryptography. ​

In the modern age of almost universal computer usage, practically every individual in a technologically developed society has routine access to the most up-to-date cryptographic technology that exists, the so-called RSA public-key cryptosystem. A major component of this system is the factorization of large numbers into their primes. Thus an ancient number-theory concept now plays a crucial role in communication among millions of people who may have little or no knowledge of even elementary mathematics. Hans Riesel's highly successful first edition of this book has now been enlarged and updated with the goal of satisfying the needs of researchers, students, practitioners of cryptography, and non-scientific readers with a mathematical inclination. It includes important advances in computational prime number theory and in factorization as well as re-computed and enlarged tables, accompanied by new tables reflecting current research by both the author and his coworkers and by independent researchers. The book treats four fundamental problems: the number of primes below a given limit, the approximate number of primes, the recognition of primes and the factorization of large numbers. The author provides explicit algorithms and computer programs, and has attempted to discuss as many of the classically important results as possible, as well as the most recent discoveries. The programs include are written in PASCAL to allow readers to translate the programs into the language of their own computers. The independent structure of each chapter of the book makes it highly readable for a wide variety of mathematicians, students of applied number theory, and others interested in both study and research in number theory and cryptography.