3.2 and 3.3, due August 31

1. On this reading the hardest part for me was understanding the inverse of a modulus. Also, I don't know how to find all the numbers that satisfy a given modular equation. For example, see pg. 74, the example at the bottom of the page.

2. The fact that fractions exist and make sense in modular arithmetic is amazing! The only tricky part is making sure it makes sense to divide the remainder by a given number. I also am a huge fan of the extended Euclidean algorithm because it saves tons of time.

1.1, 1.2, and 3.1, due on August 29

1. The most difficult part of the material for me was understanding what stream ciphers and block ciphers are. Also, some of the proofs took some time to work through, even though I had already seen them done in my MATH 371 course.

2. One thing that was interesting was that 3.1 is almost all repeat material from 371. I found it fascinating that this material is used in encryption and decryption. I think that me knowing this motivates my learning even further and showed me a useful application for mathematics.

Introduction, due on August 29

• I am a senior majoring in mathematics.
• I have taken MATH 112, 113, 290, 313, 314, 334, 341, and 371
• I'm taking this course because it seems interesting to me and also applicable. As an added bonus, there are a lot of people that I have done study groups with in your class.
• I have had two or three favorite teachers. Two of them have used humor often, and two of them have positively pushed their kids to do problems at the board. When they do this, they are supportive and help the kids learn and encourage them that they can do it(and when needed give hints pointing them in the right direction). My least favorite teachers just present the problem and ask questions trying to stimulate thought or something and then just try to 'stumble' upon the answers or help you 'stumble' upon them. For some reason, this system just leaves me feeling frustrated.
• I have NO experience with any computer algebra system. I have not owned more than a four function calculator since high school either. I'm worried this will put me at a big disadvantage. I took CS 142 and didn't like it tons.
• I just got married!!! I love reading and I ride a unicycle :)
• Your office hours fit perfectly! I'm excited to come to them.