next up previous
Next: Sums of Two Squares Up: What is this Course Previous: Congruences and Public-key Cryptography

Computers

Computers make the study of properties of whole numbers vastly more interesting. A computer is to a number theorist, like a telescope is to an astronomer. It would be a shame to teach an astronomy class without touching a telescope; likewise, it would be shame to teach this class without telling you how to look at the integers ``through the lens of a computer''.



William A Stein 2001-09-11