MA 261: Number theory

Kate Ponto
Fall 2017

Office hours
K. Ponto MW 2-3, T 3:30-4:30 POT 739
B. Riley (UA) T 3-5, Th 2-3 MathSkeller


Announcements

The textbook for this course will be Number theory through inquiry by Marshall, Odell, and Starbird. Both hard cover and electronic versions available. The electronic version is available through the MAA website.

A draft copy of the Syllabus, Presentation Guidelines, and Portfolio Guidelines.

Sometimes you might need style suggestions when trying to write up your proofs. There are many guides that might help. (I'm including several because you will probably all have different preferences!)
Elements of Style by D. C. Ernst
How to write proofs: a quick guide by Eugenia Cheng
Chapter 3 of Bridge To Higher Mathematics, by Sam Vandervelde
Guidelines for good mathematical writing by Francis Su

Homework



Note that I've changed the date to reflect the date due rather than the date assigned!
Date Due Weekly Assignment Expected Discussion (and Daily Homework to turn in) Actual Discussion
8/25 1.1-1.3 and read pages 7-91.1-1.7
8/28 1.8-1.11 and read pages 10-121.8-1.11
8/30 1.12-1.141.12-1.14
9/1 1.15-1.20 (1.18 later) 1.15-1.17, 1.19, 1.20
9/6 1.1, 1.10, 1.12 1.21-1.24 1.21-1.23
9/8 1.25, 1.25A, 1.26 and at least one division rule for 1.24 1.24-1.26
9/11 1.27-1.311.27-1.31
9/13 1.32-1.361.32-1.36
9/151.15, 1.23, 1.26 1.37-1.391.37-1.39
9/18Review: 1.3, 1.9, 1.11, 1.15, 1.21, 1.24, 1.33
9/20Portfolio 1:1.1-1.3, 1.6, 1.9-1.14, 1.17, 1.21-1.23, 1.26-1.28, 1.32, 1.33, 1.35, 1.38, 1.39
9/22 1.40-1.43 1.40-1.43
9/251.28, 1.35, 1.39 1.44-1.481.44-1.48
9/27 1.49-1.541.49-1.53
9/29 1.55-1.581.54-1.57
10/2 A.6-A.10, A.15-A.18, Induction 3, 41.58, Induction 1-4
10/4 Induction 5-9Induction 5-9
10/6 Induction 10-14Induction 10-13
10/9 1.43, 1.48, 1.53 Induction 15-19Induction 14, 15, 17-19
10/11 Induction 16, 20, 21, 2.1-2.4 Induction 16, 20, 21, 2.1
10/13 1.57, Induction 7, 9 2.5-2.9 2.2-2.7
10/16 Review: 1.48, 1.53, 1.55, 1.57, Induction 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 11, 14
10/18 Portfolio 2:1.40-1.43, 1.45, 1.48, 1.51, 1.53, 1.55, 1.57, the induction problems, 2.1, 2.3, 2.7
10/20 2.8, 2.9-2.132.8-2.11
10/23 Induction 19, 21, 2.1 2.12-2.17 2.12-2.17
10/25 2.18-2.21 2.18-2.21
10/27 2.18, 2.22-2.26 2.18, 2.22-2.25
10/30 2.7, 2.8, 2.132.27-2.31 2.27-2.31
11/1 2.32-2.35 2.32-2.35
11/3 2.37-2.39, 2.41-2.43 2.37-2.39, 2.41-2.43
11/6 2.19, 2.25, 2.31 3.1-3.5 3.1-3.5
11/8 3.7-3.11 3.7-3.11
11/10 3.12-3.15 3.12-3.15
11/13 2.32, 2.34, 2.43 3.16-3.20 3.16-3.20
11/15 3.21-3.26 3.21-3.25
11/17 Review: 2.9, 2.12, 2.18, 2.25, 2.28, 2.31, 2.34, 2.38, 3.11, 3.12, 3.16
11/20 Portfolio 3: 2.8, 2.9, 2.12, 2.13, 2.18-2.21, 2.24-2.35, 2.37, 2.38, 2.42, 2.43, 3.8-3.14, 3.16, 3.17, 3.19, 3.20, 3.24
11/27 3.27-3.29, 4.1, 4.2 3.27-3.29, 4.1, 4.2
11/29 3.8, 3.11, 3.164.3-4.7 4.3-4.7
12/1 4.8-4.12 4.8-4.12
12/4 4.13-4.17 4.13-4.17
12/6 4.18-4.23 Also think about 4.24-4.26
12/8 Review: 1.53, 1.57, 2.7, 2.8, 2.18, 2.28, 2.31, 3.11, 3.16, 3.17, 3.29, 4.3, 4.10
Final exam 12/12 at 8AM