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One-way Functions

The fundamental idea behind RSA is to try to construct a ``one-way function'', i.e., an ``encryption'' function

$\displaystyle E : X \rightarrow X $

such that it is easy for Nikita, say, to compute $ E^{-1}$, but very hard for anybody else to compute $ E^{-1}$.


William A Stein 2001-10-01