Description
First Course in Algebra and Number Theory presents the basic concepts, tools, and techniques of modern algebra and number theory. It is designed for a full year course at the freshman or sophomore college level. The text is organized into four chapters. The first chapter is concerned with the set of all integers – positive, negative, and zero. It investigates properties of Z such as division algorithm, Euclidean algorithm, unique factorization, greatest common divisor, least common multiple, congruence, and radix representation. In chapter 2, additional axioms about Z were introduced and some of their consequences are discussed. The third chapter sets up terminologies about polynomials, solutions or roots of polynomial equations, and factorization of polynomials. Finally, chapter 4 studies logically simpler algebraic systems, known as “groups”, algebraic objects with a single operation. The book is intended for students in the freshman and sophomore levels in college.
