Early in the development of number theory, it was noticed that the ring of integers has many properties in common with the ring of polynomials over a finite field. The first part of this book illustrates this
This well-developed, accessible text details the historical development of the subject throughout. It also provides wide-ranging coverage of significant results with comparatively elementary proofs, some of them new.
Brave bear hunters go through grass, a river, mud, and other obstacles before the inevitable encounter with the bear forces them into a headlong retreat.