The Queen of Mathematics: A Historically Motivated Guide to Number Theory [Hardcover]

This book takes the unique approach of examining number theory as it emerged in the 17th through 19th centuries. It leads to an understanding of today's research problems on the basis of their historical development. This book is a contribution to cultural history and brings a difficult subject within the reach of the serious reader.This book takes the unique approach of examining number theory as it emerged in the 17th through 19th centuries. It leads to an understanding of today's research problems on the basis of their historical development. This book is a contribution to cultural history and brings a difficult subject within the reach of the serious reader.A superb combination historical narrative and introductory mathematic text.
      -- Math Works, May 2003 A superb combination historical narrative and introductory mathematic text. -Math Works, May 2003PART 1: FROM FERMAT TO LEGENDRE, Chapter 1. The Founding Fathers, Chapter 2. Fermat, Chapter 3. Euler, Chapter 4. From Euler to Lagrange; The Theory of Continued Fractions, Chapter 5. Lagrange, Chapter 6. Legendre, PART 2: GAUSS AND THE DISQUISfilONES ARITHMETICAE, Chapter 7. Gauss, Chapter 8. Theory of Congruence, Chapter 9. Theory of Congruences, Chapter 10. Primitive Roots and Power Residues, Chapter 11. Congruences of the Second Degree, Chapter 12. Binary Quadratic Forms 1: Arithmetic Theory, Chapter 13. Binary Quadratic Forms 2: Geometric Theory, Chapter 14. Cyclotomy, PART 3: ALGEBRAIC NUMBER THEORY, Chapter 15. Algebraic Number Theory 1: The Gaussian Integers and Biquadratic Reciprocity 1. Gauss and Biquadratic Reciprocity, Chapter 16. Algebraic Number Theory 2: Algebraic Numbers and Quadratic Fields, Chapter 17. Algebraic Number Theory 3: Ideals in Quadratic Fields, PART 4: ARITHMETIC ON CURVES, Chapter 18. Arithmetic on Curves 1: Rational Points and Plane Algebraic Curves, Chapter 19. Arithmetic on Curves lÃ'