Math 406 - Introduction to Number Theory
Instructor: Kathryn (Kate) Truman
Office: Math Building 1113
Email: rendke (at math dot umd dot edu)
| Course Info: |
Fall 2007 |
|
MWF, 1:00 - 1:50 |
|
Room 0303 (Math Bldg) |
Office Hours: MWF, 2:00-2:30 or by appointment.
Book: Elementary Number Theory,
6thed., David M. Burton
Grader: TBA
Course Description:
Math 406 is an introduction to number
theory. Number Theory is one of
the most beautiful and elegant areas of mathematics. It also happens to
be useful. Through this course I hope to give an idea of both the
elegance and the usefulness of number theory as well as introduce you to
basic proof techniques. You will be expected to read, understand and do
proofs in this course. If you are not yet comfortable with proofs you
will be by the end of the semester. To really learn mathematics you need
to do mathematics, so you will be expected to work on problem sets. You
should also read the material from the text before each class. For a
description of the material to be covered see the math departments course
syllabus here.
The syllabus I handed out in class (in PDF format) is here.
Grading:
| Three 1 hour Exams (100 pts each)
| 300 pts |
| Homework |
100 pts |
| Quizzes |
100 pts |
| Final (Cumulative) |
200 pts |
| Total |
700 pts |
The schedule was updated on September 23 - in particular EXAM 1 is now on
October 3rd.
Exam/Quiz Makeup Policy: Exam/Quiz makeups will only
be given for University Excused
Absences. Any student with a valid reason to be excused from an
exam must contact me prior to the exam, either by email or by phone
(leave a message at 301.405.5047),
and present documentation at the next class session attended. If you
need to be excused for a religious observance, you should let me know
as soon as possible, but in any case no later than the end of the
schedule adjustment period.
You can find old exams given in this course at testbank.
Homework Assignments:
All assignments are tentative until given in class - you are
responsible for checking this page or asking me for updates if you
miss class.
Homework Assignments
| Assignment | Section | Assigned Problems | Suggested Problems |
| Assignment 1: Due 9/7/07 | 1.1 | 2, 6, 8b, 14 | 1, 13 |
| 14.2 | 20 | 5 |
| 14.3 | 2a, 2b, 6a, 18a, 18b | 17 |
|
| Assignment 2: Due 9/17/07 | 2.2 | 2, 6, 10 | 3c, 5 |
| 2.3 | 2cd, 6a, 12, 14c | 3, 5, 13a, 19c, 20 |
| 2.4 | 2ab, 6 | 3, 5a |
|
| Assignment 3: Due 9/26/07 | 3.1 | 2, 6(b,d), 12 | 3(a,c), 5, 17* |
| 3.2 | 4(a), 6 | 7, 9(b) |
| 3.3 | 10 | 9(a) |
| 4.2 | 2, 6(a), 8(a) | 1,3 |
| 4.3 | 2(a) | 1, 16* |
|
| Assignment 4 | 5.2 | 2b, 4bc, 6ab, 9b (You do need to turn this odd problem in!) | 3, 11 |
| 5.3 | 4, 8 | 5*, 7 |
| 5.4 | none | 1, 5 |
| 6.1 | 2 (gcd only), 4, 12b | none |
|
| Assignment 5 Due Monday, October 22 | 7.2 | 4, 10 | 1, 13 |
| 7.3 | 2, 8 | 1, 5, 7 |
| 8.1 | 2ab, 4, 6b | 1 |
|
| Assignment 6 Due 10/31/07 | 8.1 | 10, 12 | none |
| 8.2 | 2, 4, 6 | 1a, 3, 5 |
| 8.3 | 2a, 4, 6b | 1, 3 |
|
| Assignment 7 Due 11/16/07 | 9.1 | 4, 10 | 1, 5, 9 |
| 9.2 | 6a, 8 | 1 |
| 9.3 | 4, 10a,b, 14, 16 | 1, 3, 5a |
| Additional Problems |
|
| Assignment 8 Due 11/28/07 | 12.1 | 1b, 4, 9a | - |
| 12.2 | 9 | - |
|
| Assignment 9 Due 12/03/07 | - | - | - |
|
| Chapter 15 - Optional | 15.2 | - | 1, 2 |
| 15.3 | - | 1, 4(a,b) |
|
| Problems marked with a * are ones where you need to know the results and be able to use them, but not necessarily how to prove the statements. |
Solutions to assigned problems (username and password were given in class - email me if you don't know them).