Not offered 2007-2008
MATH 314 Polynomial Arithmetic (Q)
Polynomials play an important role in mathematics, particularly in number theory. The desire to find solutions to polynomials over the integers led to the study of numbers such as
the square root of 2 and the cube root of 5. Polynomials themselves behave like integers in
many ways. Although number theory is typically thought of as the study of the integers,
most number-theoretic questions about the integers can be reformulated in terms of
polynomials. In fact, sometimes the answers are much easier to discover for the
polynomials. In this course, we will examine the arithmetic properties of polynomials over a
finite field including the analogy with the integers.
Format: lecture. Evaluation will be based primarily on problem sets, projects, and exams.
Prerequisites: Mathematics 211 or 251 or permission of instructor. Expected enrollment: 10.
PACELLI