Primes of the form p = x² + ny²
Subtitle: Fermat, class field theory, and complex multiplication
By: David A. Cox, Department of Mathematics, Amherst College, Amherst, Massachusetts
Edition: Second edition.
Series: Pure and applied mathematics
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Published: 2013
Place of publication: Hoboken, New Jersey
Language: eng
Number of pages: 356
ISBN-13: 9781118390184
Subjects: Prime Numbers; Mathematics
Other titles: Primes of the form p equals x² plus ny²
Work titles: Primes of the form x² + ny²
Description: "Written in a unique and accessible style for readers of varied mathematical backgrounds, the Second Edition of Primes of the Form p = x2+ ny2 details the history behind how Pierre de Fermat's work ultimately gave birth to quadratic reciprocity and the genus theory of quadratic forms. The book also illustrates how results of Euler and Gauss can be fully understood only in the context of class field theory, and in addition, explores a selection of the magnificent formulas of complex multiplication. Primes of the Form p = x2 + ny2, Second Edition focuses on addressing the question of when a prime p is of the form x2 + ny2, which serves as the basis for further discussion of various mathematical topics. This updated edition has several new notable features, including: A well-motivated introduction to the classical formulation of class field theory ; Illustrations of explicit numerical examples to demonstrate the power of basic theorems in various situations ; An elementary treatment of quadratic forms and genus theory ; Simultaneous treatment of elementary and advanced aspects of number theory ; New coverage of the Shimura reciprocity law and a selection of recent work in an updated bibliography. Primes of the Form p = x2 + ny2, Second Edition is both a useful reference for number theory theorists and an excellent text for undergraduate and graduate-level courses in number and Galois theory."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Originally published: Primes of the form x² + ny², 1989.

Includes bibliographical references (pages 335-346) and index.