Number Theory II

Modern number theory dates from Gauss's quadratic reciprocity law. This law and other developments in number theory have led to a rich network of ideas, which has had effects throughout mathematics, in particular in algebra. This volume of the Encyclopaedia presents the main structures and results of algebraic number theory with emphasis on algebraic number fields and class field theory. Koch has written for the non-specialist. He assumes a general understanding of modern algebra and elementary number theory. A part of algebraic number theory serves as a basic science for other parts of mathematics, such as arithmetic algebraic geometry and the theory of modular forms. For this reason, the chapters on basic number theory, class field theory and Galois cohomology contain more detail than the others. This book is suitable for graduate students and research mathematicians who wish to become acquainted with the main ideas and methods of algebraic number theory.