This book is an informal and readable introduction to higher algebra at the post-calculus level. The concepts of ring and field are introduced through study of the familiar examples of the integers and polynomials. Over 900 exercises are found throughout the book.

This book is written as an introduction to higher algebra for students with a background of a year of calculus. It has been used as a successful undergraduate text for more than 20 years. The objective of the book is to give students enough experience in the algebraic theory of the integers and polynomials to appreciate the basic concepts of abstract algebra. New sections on Luhn's formula, Cosets and equations, and detaching coefficients are included. The later chapters include expositions of Rabiin's probabilistic primality test, quadratic reciprocity, and the classification of finite fields. Over 900 exercises, ranging from routine examples to extensions of theory, are found throughout the book; hints and answers for many of them are included in an appendix.

Informal and readable introduction to higher algebra New sections on Luhn's formula, Cosets and equations, and detaching coefficients Successful undergraduate text for more than 20 years

Inhalt
Numbers.- Numbers.- Induction.- Euclid's Algorithm.- Unique Factorization.- Congruence.- Congruence classes and rings.- Congruence Classes.- Rings and Fields.- Matrices and Codes.- Congruences and Groups.- Fermat's and Euler's Theorems.- Applications of Euler's Theorem.- Groups.- The Chinese Remainder Theorem.- Polynomials.- Polynomials.- Unique Factorization.- The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra.- Polynomials in ?.- Congruences and the Chinese Remainder Theorem.- Fast Polynomial Multiplication.- Primitive Roots.- Cyclic Groups and Cryptography.- Carmichael Numbers.- Quadratic Reciprocity.- Quadratic Applications.- Finite Fields.- Congruence Classes Modulo a Polynomial.- Homomorphisms and Finite Fields.- BCH Codes.- Factoring Polynomials.- Factoring in ?.- Irreducible Polynomials.