Course overview
This course is an introduction to the study of whole numbers, with particular emphasis on the study of prime numbers. Once considered the province of pure mathematics, and devoid of applications, number theory is today central in cryptography, and in making e-commerce viable. One of the oldest sub-areas of mathematics, some of the methods developed 2,500 years ago are still in use today, but this course will be a modern introduction to the subject. This course will focus on four main areas: basic study of prime numbers (divisibility, primality), congruences, continuous fractions, and analytic methods.
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The Student Contribution amount displayed below is for students commencing a new program from 2021 onwards. If you are continuing in a program you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, or are commencing an Honours degree relating to an undergraduate degree you commenced prior to 1 January 2021, you may be charged a different Student Contribution amount from the amount displayed below. Please check the Student Contribution bands for continuing students here. If you are an international student, or a domestic student studying in a full fee paying place, and are continuing study that you commenced in 2025 or earlier, your fees will be available here before enrolments open for 2026.