Pell's equation is part of a central area of algebraic number theory that treats quadratic forms and the structure of the rings of integers in algebraic number fields. It is an ideal topic to lead college students, as well as some talented and motivated high school students, to a better appreciation of the power of mathematical technique. Even at the specific level of quadratic diophantine equations, there are unsolved problems, and the higher degree analogues of Pell's equation, particularly beyond the third, do not appear to have been well studied. In this focused exercise book, the topic is motivated and developed through sections of exercises which will allow the readers to recreate known theory and provide a focus for their algebraic practice. There are several explorations that encourage the reader to embark on their own research. A high school background in mathematics is all that is needed to get into this book, and teachers and others interested in mathematics who do not have (or have forgotten) a background in advanced mathematics may find that it is a suitable vehicle for keeping up an independent interest in the subject.

Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

Ed Barbeau is professor emeritus at the University of Toronto. Dr. Barbeau is a life member of the MAA, the AMS, and the CMS, and has served all three societies on various committees, particularly having to do with mathematics education. He has published a number of books directed to students of mathematics and their teachers, including "Polynomials" (Springer), "Pell's Equation" (Springer). Ed Barbeau has frequently given talks and workshops at professional meetings and in schools, has worked with high school students preparing for Olympiad competitions and has on five occasions accompanied the Canadian team to the International Mathematical Olympiad. He is currently associate editor in charge of the Fallacies, Flaws and Flimflam column in the College Mathematics Journal and education editor for the Notes of the Canadian Mathematical Society. He is a former chairman of the Education Committee of the Canadian Mathematical Society. Honors include the Fellowship of the Ontario Institutefor Studies in Education, the David Hilbert Award from the World Federation of National Mathematics Competitions and the Adrien Pouliot Award from the Canadian Mathematical Society.

Inhalt
The Square Root of 2.- Problems Leading to Pel?s Equation and Preliminary Investigations.- Quadratic Surds.- The Fundamental Solution.- Tracking Down the Fundamental Solution.- Pel?s Equation and Pythagorean Triples.- The Cubic Analogue of Pel?s Equation.- Analogues of the Fourth and Higher Degrees.- A Finite Version of Pel?s Equation.