E-mail: harryt@math.umd.edu
Course guide:
- Text: Underwood Dudley,
Elementary Number Theory, Second edition, Dover 2008.
- Content:
- This is a first course in elementary number
theory. Our main goal is to understand the fundamental
theorems about prime numbers and divisibility of integers.
Although the mathematical prerequisites for the course are
few, there will be many proofs done in class, and you will
also need to prove results on your own in the homework and
provide (simpler) proofs on exams. The core topics covered
are divisibility, prime numbers, congruences, the theorems of
Fermat, Euler, and Wilson, primitive roots for primes and the
law of quadratic reciprocity.
- Homework:
- The best and only way to learn mathematics is to
do mathematics! Your weekly homework assignments are therefore
the most important part of this course. Homework will be
assigned on Thursday and is due in class on the Thursday of
the following week. I urge you to hand in all of your
assignments on time - however my policy is to allow up to
TWO late homework assignments per student (any further late
assignments will not be graded). You may discuss the problems
with others if you wish, but whatever you turn in should be
written up on your own. The extra credit problems are optional
- they can improve your grade, but you do not need to solve
them to do well in the course. People looking for a challenge
are encouraged to attempt them!
- Exams:
- We will have three exams during the course, two
midterms and a final exam. The two midterms will be held
in class from 12:30 - 1:45 on the following dates: Thursday,
October 8 and Thursday, November 19.
The final exam has been scheduled for Friday, December 18,
1:30 - 3:30. Make-up exams will only be given for
compelling and documented reasons.
- Grading Policy:
- The course grade will be determined by adding your
two midterm test scores (20%+20%) to your final exam score (30%)
and your homework total (30%). Participating in class and working
on extra credit problems is encouraged and will help to improve your
grade.
- READ THIS:
-
Academic integrity; the honor pledge; accomodations for students with
disabilities.
- Calculators:
- No calculators are required for this course, and they will
not be allowed in class during exams.
- Office Hours:
- I will be in my office at these times
specifically to help you: Tuesdays from 2:00 - 3:00 and
Wednesdays from 1:00 - 2:00. Feel free to come by my office
and talk at any time, either by chance or by appointment.
HOMEWORK
Assignment 1 (Due 9/10/09):
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Solutions:
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Assignment 2 (Due 9/17/09):
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Assignment 3 (Due 9/24/09):
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Assignment 4 (Due 10/1/09):
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Review Sheet for Midterm 1:
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Midterm Exam 1:
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Solutions:
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Assignment 5 (Due 10/15/09):
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Assignment 6 (Due 10/22/09):
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Assignment 7 (Due 10/29/09):
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Assignment 8 (Due 11/5/09):
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Assignment 9 (Due 11/12/09):
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Review Sheet for Midterm 2:
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