Modern cryptography depends heavily on number theory, with primality test ing, factoring, discrete logarithms (indices), and elliptic curves being perhaps the most prominent subject areas. Since my own graduate study had empha sized probability theory, statistics, and real analysis, when I started work ing in cryptography around 1970, I found myself swimming in an unknown, murky sea. I thus know from personal experience how inaccessible number theory can be to the uninitiated. Thank you for your efforts to case the transition for a new generation of cryptographers. Thank you also for helping...

Modern cryptography depends heavily on number theory, with primality test ing, factoring, discrete logarithms (indices), and elliptic curves being perhaps the most prominent subject areas. Since my own graduate study had empha sized probability theory, statistics, and real analysis, when I started work ing in cryptography around 1970, I found myself swimming in an unknown, murky sea. I thus know from personal experience how inaccessible number theory can be to the uninitiated. Thank you for your efforts to case the transition for a new generation of cryptographers. Thank you also for helping...