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This textbook offers a unique exploration of analytic number theory that is focused on explicit and realistic numerical bounds. By giving precise proofs in simplified settings, the author strategically builds practical tools and insights for exploring the behavior of arithmetical functions. An active learning style is encouraged across nearly three hundred exercises, making this an indispensable resource for both students and instructors.
Designed to allow readers several different pathways to progress from basic notions to active areas of research, the book begins with a study of arithmetic functions and notions of arithmetical interest. From here, several guided "walks" invite readers to continue, offering explorations along three broad themes: the convolution method, the Levin-Fa nle b theorem, and the Mellin transform. Having followed any one of the walks, readers will arrive at "higher ground", where they will find opportunities for extensions and applications, such asthe Selberg formula, Brun's sieve, and the Large Sieve Inequality. Methodology is emphasized throughout, with frequent opportunities to explore numerically using computer algebra packages Pari/GP and Sage.
Excursions in Multiplicative Number Theory is ideal for graduate students and upper-level undergraduate students who are familiar with the fundamentals of analytic number theory. It will also appeal to researchers in mathematics and engineering interested in experimental techniques in this active area.
List of contents
Approach: Multiplicativity.- Arithmetic Convolution.- A Calculus on Arithmetical Functions.- Analytical Dirichlet Series.- Growth of Arithmetical Functions.- An "Algebraical" Multiplicative Function.- Möbius Inversions.- The Convolution Walk.- Handling a Smooth Factor.- The Convolution Method.- Euler Products and Euler Sums.- Some Practice.- The Hyperbola Principle.- The Levin-Fanleib Walk.- The Mertens Estimates.- The Levin-Fanleib Theorem.- Variations on a Theme of Chebyshev.- Primes in progressions.- A famous constant.- Euler Products with Primes in AP.- Chinese Remainder and Multiplicativity.- The Mellin Walk.- The Riemann zeta-function.- The Mellin Transform.- Proof Theorem .- Roughing up: Removing a Smoothening.- Proving the Prime Number Theorem.- Higher Ground: Applications / Extensions.- The Selberg Formula.- Rankin's Trick and Brun's Sieve.- Three Arithmetical Exponential Sums.- Convolution method / Möbius function.- The Large Sieve Inequality.- Montgomery's Sieve.
About the author
Olivier Ramaré is a Research Director at Aix Marseille Université in Marseille, France. He is a prolific researcher with a focus on sieve theory, prime numbers, the Möbius function,
L-series, and more.
Report
"The book is well designed for use either in a classroom or for independent study. ... References are well documented and provided at the end of every chapter. Additionally, the author regularly offers suggestions for further reading for more comprehensive dives into the topics." (Matthew Dolan Jobrack, Mathematical Reviews, November, 2023)
"What a wonderful book! If you're a number theorist with a slight aversion to the more technical parts of analytic number theory, then this book is the proper remedy." (Franz Lemmermeyer, zbMATH 1496.11003, 2022)
"It does touch on a wealth of topics and techniques. ... The book is easy to read. ... the book is thoroughly footnoted, including references to the original papers and modern expositions;" (Allen Stenger, MAA Reviews, May 9, 2022)
