Modular arithmetic and finite field theory: A tutorial

  • Authors:
  • E. Horowitz

  • Affiliations:
  • -

  • Venue:
  • SYMSAC '71 Proceedings of the second ACM symposium on Symbolic and algebraic manipulation
  • Year:
  • 1971

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Abstract

The paradigm of algorithm analysis has achieved major pre-eminence in the field of symbolic and algebraic manipulation in the last few years. A major factor in its success has been the use of modular arithmetic. Application of this technique has proved effective in reducing computing times for algorithms covering a wide variety of symbolic mathematical problems. This paper is intended to review the basic theory underlying modular arithmetic. In addition, attention will be paid to certain practical problems which arise in the construction of a modular arithmetic system. A second area of importance in symbol manipulation is the theory of finite fields. A recent algorithm for polynomial factorization over a finite field has led to faster algorithms for factorization over the field of rationals. Moreover, the work in modular arithmetic often consists of manipulating elements in a finite field. Hence, this paper will outline some of the major theorems for finite fields, hoping to provide a basis from which an easier grasp of these new algorithms can be made.