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t.kochanek

dr Tomasz Kochanek
"Prime numbers as sums of squares"
03.12.2010



One of the famous theorems of Fermat tells us that every prime number giving a remainder 1 while dividing by 4 can be expressed as a sum of two squares of natural numbers. During the talk the history of the theorem will be presented along with two proofs of it. The first of it uses the pigeonhole principle and the fact that -1 is a quadratic residue modulo p then p is a prime number of the form p = 4k + 1. The second of proofs presented, given by H.J.S. Smith, makes use of the continued fractions theory.
To understand the talk only elementary knowledge is required, as the talker will provide all definitions necessary. However, basic knowledge of the congruences would be welcome.
last update: 23.12.2010

Video

complete talk
640x360px
~104:02min, ~416MB

Contact:

Students' Mathematical Society of the University of Silesia
(Koło Naukowe Matematyków Uniwersytetu ¦l±skiego)
40-007 Katowice, ul. Bankowa 14 (room 524)
tel. (032) 359-20-96, email: knm@knm.katowice.pl