This volume contains the proceedings of the International Conference on Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics in honour of Srinivasa Ramanujan, held at the Centre for Advanced Study in Mathematics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India, in October 2000, as a contribution to the International Year of Mathematics. It collects 29 articles written by some of the leading specialists worldwide. Most of the papers provide recent trends, problems and their current states as well as historical backgrounds of their subjects. Some contributions are related to Ramanujan's mathematics, which should stimulate the interest in his work.

Elementary Number Theory, Gove Effinger, Gary L. Mullen This text is intended to be used as an undergraduate introduction to the theory of numbers. The authors have been immersed in this area of mathematics for many years and hope that this text will inspire students (and instructors) to study, understand, and come to love this truly beautiful subject. Each chapter, after an introduction, develops a new topic clearly broken out in sections which include theoretical material together with numerous examples, each worked out in considerable detail. At the end of each chapter, after a summary of the topic, there are a number of solved problems, also worked out in detail, followed by a set of supplementary problems. These latter problems give students a chance to test their own understanding of the material; solutions to some but not all of them complete the chapter. The first eight chapters discuss some standard material in elementary number theory. The remaining chapters discuss topics which might be considered a bit more advanced. The text closes with a chapter on Open Problems in Number Theory. Students (and of course instructors) are strongly encouraged to study this chapter carefully and fully realize that not all mathematical issues and problems have been resolved! There is still much to be learned and many questions to be answered in mathematics in general and in number theory in particular.

Elementary Number Theory, Gove Effinger, Gary L. Mullen This text is intended to be used as an undergraduate introduction to the theory of numbers. The authors have been immersed in this area of mathematics for many years and hope that this text will inspire students (and instructors) to study, understand, and come to love this truly beautiful subject. Each chapter, after an introduction, develops a new topic clearly broken out in sections which include theoretical material together with numerous examples, each worked out in considerable detail. At the end of each chapter, after a summary of the topic, there are a number of solved problems, also worked out in detail, followed by a set of supplementary problems. These latter problems give students a chance to test their own understanding of the material; solutions to some but not all of them complete the chapter. The first eight chapters discuss some standard material in elementary number theory. The remaining chapters discuss topics which might be considered a bit more advanced. The text closes with a chapter on Open Problems in Number Theory. Students (and of course instructors) are strongly encouraged to study this chapter carefully and fully realize that not all mathematical issues and problems have been resolved! There is still much to be learned and many questions to be answered in mathematics in general and in number theory in particular.

An Elementary Transition to Abstract Mathematics will help students move from introductory courses to those where rigor and proof play a much greater role. The text is organized into five basic parts: the first looks back on selected topics from pre-calculus and calculus, treating them more rigorously, and it covers various proof techniques; the second part covers induction, sets, functions, cardinality, complex numbers, permutations, and matrices; the third part introduces basic number theory including applications to cryptography; the fourth part introduces key objects from abstract algebra; and the final part focuses on polynomials. Features: The material is presented in many short chapters, so that one concept at a time can be absorbed by the student. Two "looking back" chapters at the outset (pre-calculus and calculus) are designed to start the student's transition by working with familiar concepts. Many examples of every concept are given to make the material as concrete as possible and to emphasize the importance of searching for patterns. A conversational writing style is employed throughout in an effort to encourage active learning on the part of the student.

Abstract Algebra: A Gentle Introduction advantages a trend in mathematics textbook publishing towards smaller, less expensive and brief introductions to primary courses. The authors move away from the 'everything for everyone' approach so common in textbooks. Instead, they provide the reader with coverage of numerous algebraic topics to cover the most important areas of abstract algebra. Through a careful selection of topics, supported by interesting applications, the authors Intend the book to be used for a one-semester course in abstract algebra. It is suitable for an introductory course in for mathematics majors. The text is also very suitable for education majors who need to have an introduction to the topic. As textbooks go through various editions and authors employ the suggestions of numerous well-intentioned reviewers, these book become larger and larger and subsequently more expensive. This book is meant to counter that process. Here students are given a "gentle introduction," meant to provide enough for a course, yet also enough to encourage them toward future study of the topic. Features Groups before rings approach Interesting modern applications Appendix includes mathematical induction, the well-ordering principle, sets, functions, permutations, matrices, and complex nubers. Numerous exercises at the end of each section Chapter "Hint and Partial Solutions" offers built in solutions manual

Poised to become the leading reference in the field, the Handbook of Finite Fields is exclusively devoted to the theory and applications of finite fields. More than 80 international contributors compile state-of-the-art research in this definitive handbook. Edited by two renowned researchers, the book uses a uniform style and format throughout and each chapter is self contained and peer reviewed. The first part of the book traces the history of finite fields through the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The second part presents theoretical properties of finite fields, covering polynomials, special functions, sequences, algorithms, curves, and related computational aspects. The final part describes various mathematical and practical applications of finite fields in combinatorics, algebraic coding theory, cryptographic systems, biology, quantum information theory, engineering, and other areas. The book provides a comprehensive index and easy access to over 3,000 references, enabling you to quickly locate up-to-date facts and results regarding finite fields.

To mark the World Mathematical Year 2000 an International Conference on Number Theory and Discrete Mathematics in honour of the legendary Indian Mathematician Srinivasa Ramanuj~ was held at the centre for Advanced study in Mathematics, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India during October 2-6, 2000. This volume contains the proceedings of that conference. In all there were 82 participants including 14 overseas participants from Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Korea, Singapore and the USA. The conference was inaugurated by Prof. K. N. Pathak, Hon. Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh on October 2, 2000. Prof. Bruce C. Berndt of the University of Illinois, Urbana Chaimpaign, USA delivered the key note address entitled "The Life, Notebooks and Mathematical Contributions of Srinivasa Ramanujan". He described Ramanujan--as one of this century's most influential Mathematicians. Quoting Mark K. ac, Prof. George E. Andrews of the Pennsylvania State University, USA, in his message for the conference, described Ramanujan as a "magical genius". During the 5-day deliberations invited speakers gave talks on various topics in number theory and discrete mathematics. We mention here a few of them just as a sampling: * M. Waldschmidt, in his article, provides a very nice introduction to the topic of multiple poly logarithms and their special values. * C.

This volume represents the refereed proceedings of the "Sixth International Conference on Finite Fields and Applications (Fq6)" held in the city of Oaxaca, Mexico, between 22-26 May 200l. The conference was hosted by the Departmento do Matermiticas of the U niversidad Aut6noma Metropolitana- Iztapalapa, Nlexico. This event continued a series of biennial international conferences on Finite Fields and Applications, following earlier meetings at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (USA) in August 1991 and August 1993, the University of Glasgow (Scotland) in July 1995, the University of Waterloo (Canada) in August 1997, and at the University of Augsburg (Ger- many) in August 1999. The Organizing Committee of Fq6 consisted of Dieter Jungnickel (University of Augsburg, Germany), Neal Koblitz (University of Washington, USA), Alfred }. lenezes (University of Waterloo, Canada), Gary Mullen (The Pennsylvania State University, USA), Harald Niederreiter (Na- tional University of Singapore, Singapore), Vera Pless (University of Illinois, USA), Carlos Renteria (lPN, Mexico). Henning Stichtenoth (Essen Univer- sity, Germany). and Horacia Tapia-Recillas, Chair (Universidad Aut6noma l'vIetropolitan-Iztapalapa. Mexico). The program of the conference consisted of four full days and one half day of sessions, with 7 invited plenary talks, close to 60 contributed talks, basic courses in finite fields. cryptography and coding theory and a series of lectures at local educational institutions. Finite fields have an inherently fascinating structure and they are im- portant tools in discrete mathematics.

Thisvolumerepresentstherefereedproceedingsofthe7thInternationalC- ference on Finite Fields and Applications (F 7) held during May 5-9, q 2003, in Toulouse, France. The conference was hosted by the Pierre Baudis C- gress Center, downtown, and held at the excellent conference facility. This event continued a series of biennial international conferences on Finite Fields and - plications, following earlier meetings at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas (USA) in August 1991 and August 1993, the University of Glasgow (UK) in July 1995, the University of Waterloo (Canada) in August 1997, the Univ- sity of Augsburg (Germany) in August 1999, and the Universidad Aut' onoma Metropolitana-Iztapalapa, in Oaxaca (Mexico) in 2001. The Organizing Committee of F 7 consisted of Claude Carlet (INRIA, Paris, q France), Dieter Jungnickel (University of Augsburg, Germany), Gary Mullen (Pennsylvania State University, USA), Harald Niederreiter (National University of Singapore, Singapore), Alain Poli, Chair (Paul Sabatier University, Toulouse, France), Henning Stichtenoth (Essen University, Germany), and Horacio Tapia- Recillas (Universidad Aut' onoma Metropolitan-Iztapalapa, Mexico). The program of the conference consisted of four full days and one half day of sessions, with eight invited plenary talks, and close to 60 contributed talks.

Abstract Algebra: A Gentle Introduction advantages a trend in mathematics textbook publishing towards smaller, less expensive and brief introductions to primary courses. The authors move away from the 'everything for everyone' approach so common in textbooks. Instead, they provide the reader with coverage of numerous algebraic topics to cover the most important areas of abstract algebra. Through a careful selection of topics, supported by interesting applications, the authors Intend the book to be used for a one-semester course in abstract algebra. It is suitable for an introductory course in for mathematics majors. The text is also very suitable for education majors who need to have an introduction to the topic. As textbooks go through various editions and authors employ the suggestions of numerous well-intentioned reviewers, these book become larger and larger and subsequently more expensive. This book is meant to counter that process. Here students are given a "gentle introduction," meant to provide enough for a course, yet also enough to encourage them toward future study of the topic. Features Groups before rings approach Interesting modern applications Appendix includes mathematical induction, the well-ordering principle, sets, functions, permutations, matrices, and complex nubers. Numerous exercises at the end of each section Chapter "Hint and Partial Solutions" offers built in solutions manual