Introduction to Analytic Number Theory

Abstract

This is the first volume of a two-volume textbook which evolved from a course (Mathematics 160) offered at the California Institute of Technology during the last 25 years. It provides an introduction to analytic number theory suitable for undergraduates with some background in advanced calculus, but with no previous knowledge of number theory. Actually, a great deal of the book requires no calculus at all and could profitably be studied by sophisticated high school students. Number theory is such a vast and rich field that a one-year course cannot do justice to all its parts. The choice of topics included here is intended to provide some variety and some depth. Problems which have fascinated generations of professional and amateur mathematicians are discussed together with some of the techniques for solving them. One of the goals of this course has been to nurture the intrinsic interest that many young mathematics students seem to have in number theory and to open some doors for them to the current periodical literature. It has been gratifying to note that many of the students who have taken this course during the past 25 years have become professional mathematicians, and some have made notable contributions of their own to number theory. To all of them this book is dedicated.