Rilegato

ISBN 10: 0521460948 ISBN 13: 9780521460941

Casa editrice: Cambridge University Press, 1994

The theory of finite fields is a branch of modern algebra that has come to the fore in recent years because of its diverse applications in such areas as combinatorics, coding theory, cryptology and the mathematical study of switching circuits. The first part of this book presents an introduction to this theory, emphasizing those aspects that are relevant for application. The second part is devoted to a discussion of the most important applications of finite fields, especially to information theory, algebraic coding theory, and cryptology. There is also a chapter on applications within mathematics, such as finite geometries, combinatorics and pseudo-random sequences. The book is designed as a graduate level textbook; worked examples and copious exercises that range from the routine, to those giving alternative proofs of key theorems, to extensions of material covered in the text, are provided throughout.

Review:

"...this book will continue to serve its purpose as an introduction for students, since it is devoted mainly to those parts that have a certain quality of timelessness, namely the classical theory and the standard applications of finite fields." Mathematical Reviews