Starting with the fundamentals of number theory, this text advances to an intermediate level. Author Harold N. Shapiro, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at New York University's Courant Institute, addresses this treatment toward advanced undergraduates and graduate students. Selected chapters, sections, and exercises are appropriate for undergraduate courses.The first five chapters focus on the basic material of number theory, employing special problems, some of which are of historical interest. Succeeding chapters explore evolutions from the notion of congruence, examine a variety of applications related to counting problems, and develop the roots of number theory. Two "do-it-yourself" chapters offer readers the chance to carry out small-scale mathematical investigations that involve material covered in previous chapters. - from Amzon