Algorithmic Number Theory, Vol. 1: Efficient Algorithms (Foundations of Computing) [Hardcover]

Eric Bach (Author), Jeffrey Shallit (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 26, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0262024055 | ISBN-13: 978-0262024051

Algorithmic Number Theory provides a thorough introduction to the design and analysis of algorithms for problems from the theory of numbers. Although not an elementary textbook, it includes over 300 exercises with suggested solutions. Every theorem not proved in the text or left as an exercise has a reference in the notes section that appears at the end of each chapter. The bibliography contains over 1,750 citations to the literature. Finally, it successfully blends computational theory with practice by covering some of the practical aspects of algorithm implementations.The subject of algorithmic number theory represents the marriage of number theory with the theory of computational complexity. It may be briefly defined as finding integer solutions to equations, or proving their non-existence, making efficient use of resources such as time and space. Implicit in this definition is the question of how to efficiently represent the objects in question on a computer. The problems of algorithmic number theory are important both for their intrinsic mathematical interest and their application to random number generation, codes for reliable and secure information transmission, computer algebra, and other areas.Publisher's Note: Volume 2 was not written. Volume 1 is, therefore, a stand-alone publication.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[Algorithmic Number Theory] is an enormous achievement andan extremely valuable reference." Donald E. Knuth, Emeritus, Stanford University

About the Author

Eric Bach is Professor, Computer Sciences Department, University of Wisconsin. Jeffrey Shallit is Associate Professor, Department of Computer Science, University of Waterloo.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Hardcover: 496 pages
• Publisher: The MIT Press (August 26, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262024055
• ISBN-13: 978-0262024051
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,480,122 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Reference, October 13, 1999

By 

Charles Denis Xavier ([e-mail]) (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Algorithmic Number Theory, Vol. 1: Efficient Algorithms (Foundations of Computing) (Hardcover)

Bach and Shallit have done a wonderful job of preparing a survey of Number Theoretic Algorithms. After covering the basic mathematical material and complexity theory background, the book plunges in to discuss computation in (Z/(n)) and various algorithms in Finite Fields.

The part of the book that I like best are the last two chapters which deal with prime numbers and algorithms for primality testing. The authors have done an exhaustive survey of this area. Proofs of the correctness of the algorithms are wonderfully concise and lucid. The second volume [not published yet] will discuss problems for which efficient algorithms are currently unknown for example factoring, discrete log etc. The authors also promise coverage of the Adleman, Huang proof that Primes \in ZPP.

Exercises have been chosen carefully, and most of the solutions are available as an appendix (for the others references are given). Finally the bibliography is *huge* with close to 2000 citations. Overall an excellent book for reference and for a one stop introduction to the wonderful area of Algorithmic Number Theory.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A work of outstanding mathematical scholarship, May 24, 2002

By 

Stuart-Little - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Algorithmic Number Theory, Vol. 1: Efficient Algorithms (Foundations of Computing) (Hardcover)

This book is a valuable reference -- a real work of mathematical scholarship concerning problems from elementary number theory, such as primality testing, square roots mod p, quadratic residues, polynomial factoring, and generation of random primes -- algorithms for which efficient solutions are known.

Related algorithms such as the lattice reduction algorithm of Lenstra, Lenstra, and Lovasz, and elliptic curve point counting over finite fields are not covered.

Three outstanding features of this book are:

1) The extensive chapter end notes that provide a comprehensive review of the history and state of the art for each topic addressed in the book. These notes are so detailed that they are like having a mini book within a book. Anyone doing research in the field would do well to own this book for this reason alone.

2) Exhaustive bibliography, all together there are over 1750 bibliographic entries.

3) Applications of the RH and ERH(Riemann Hypothesis and Extended Riemann Hypothesis). I know of no other single reference that covers the consequences of these conjectures being true in terms of primality testing, quadratic non-residue testing, primitive root finding and so on.

The algorithms are presented in pseudo code and practical implementation remarks are reserved for the notes section of each chapter.

Recommended for upper level undergraduates and all the way on up to faculty.

As a bonus the book is a real pleasure to view due to the excellent job done in the layout and typesetting.

I look forward to volume two which will focus on algorithms for intractable problems for which efficient (polynomial time) algorithms are NOT known such as factoring and the discrete log problem.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rash Math or padded volume?, May 18, 2009

By 

R. Bagula "Roger L. Bagula" (Lakeside, Ca United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Algorithmic Number Theory, Vol. 1: Efficient Algorithms (Foundations of Computing) (Hardcover)

It is the treatment of the Riemann hypothesis that really bothers me:mostly
the ERH ( extended Riemann Hypothesis) which is introduced with a badly or incompletely defined phi(n) function).
With chapter notes and problem solutions there is less to this book than the size ( page number suggests) so this volume is more of notice by what is left out or left to volume two.
The algorithms are all in pseudo-code and there is no bridge to actual computer programs that you might expect from where Jeffrey Shallit teaches
( Maple country).
I was disappointed with this book and I dislike the abstract mathematics style in a book that is supposed to be about computer algorithms.
You are left with a definite "snob without a cause" feeling.