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Chapter 4. Algebraic Number Theory

A field is a number system in which addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by nonzero elements are always possible. The rational numbers $\mathbb{Q}$, the real...

SectionTitle
1Chapter 4. Algebraic Number Theory
2Splitting Fields
3Galois Groups
4Finite Fields
5Cyclotomic Fields
6Ramification
7Absolute Values
8pp-Adic Numbers
9Completion of Fields
10Hensel’s Lemma
11Local-Global Principles
12Adeles and Ideles
13Abelian Extensions
14Reciprocity Maps
15Hilbert Class Fields
16Local Class Field Theory
17Global Class Field Theory
18Modular Groups
19Modular Functions
20Modular Forms
21Eisenstein Series
22Cusp Forms
23Hecke Operators
24Modular Curves
25Elliptic Curves and Modularity
26The Modularity Theorem
27Automorphic Forms
28Automorphic Representations
29The Langlands Program
30Galois Representations
31Functoriality
32Automorphic LL-Functions
33Trace Formulas
34Shimura Varieties
35Geometric Langlands Theory
Chapter 4. Algebraic Number TheoryA field is a number system in which addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division by nonzero elements are always possible. The rational numbers $\mathbb{Q}$, the real...
5 min
Splitting FieldsA central problem in algebra is to determine where a polynomial factors completely into linear terms. Consider the polynomial
4 min
Galois GroupsA polynomial equation may possess several roots related by hidden algebraic symmetries. Consider
5 min
Finite FieldsThe familiar fields
5 min
Cyclotomic FieldsOne of the most important classes of number fields arises from the solutions of the equation
4 min
RamificationOne of the central ideas of algebraic number theory is that prime numbers may behave differently after passing to a larger field.
5 min
Absolute ValuesThe ordinary absolute value on the real numbers measures magnitude:
4 min
$p$-Adic NumbersThe real numbers arise by completing the rational numbers with respect to the ordinary absolute value. This completion produces a field suited to Euclidean geometry and...
5 min
Completion of FieldsThe rational numbers form a field rich enough for arithmetic, yet insufficient for many limiting processes.
5 min
Hensel’s LemmaOne of the central ideas of number theory is that congruences modulo powers of a prime often approximate genuine arithmetic solutions.
4 min
Local-Global PrinciplesA central problem in number theory is determining whether an equation possesses rational or integral solutions.
5 min
Adeles and IdelesThe rational numbers may be studied through their completions:
5 min
Abelian ExtensionsA central goal of algebraic number theory is to understand field extensions of a given base field, especially extensions of the rational numbers
5 min
Reciprocity MapsOne of the oldest themes in number theory is reciprocity: the phenomenon that solvability conditions for one prime are controlled by arithmetic involving another prime.
5 min
Hilbert Class FieldsOne of the central discoveries of algebraic number theory is that unique factorization may fail in rings of algebraic integers.
5 min
Local Class Field TheoryGlobal class field theory studies finite abelian extensions of number fields such as
5 min
Global Class Field TheoryOne of the central goals of algebraic number theory is to classify field extensions of a number field
5 min
Modular GroupsModular forms begin with the action of certain matrix groups on the complex upper half-plane.
4 min
Modular FunctionsThe modular group acts on the upper half-plane by fractional linear transformations:
5 min
Modular FormsModular forms are among the central objects of modern number theory.
4 min
Eisenstein SeriesAmong all modular forms, Eisenstein series are the most explicit and computationally accessible.
4 min
Cusp FormsModular forms satisfy strong symmetry conditions under the modular group. Among them, cusp forms form the deepest and most arithmetic subclass.
5 min
Hecke OperatorsModular forms already possess symmetry under the modular group. Yet a deeper arithmetic structure emerges through another family of operators: the Hecke operators.
4 min
Modular CurvesThe modular group acts on the upper half-plane by fractional linear transformations:
5 min
Elliptic Curves and ModularityAn elliptic curve is simultaneously:
5 min
The Modularity TheoremFor centuries, elliptic curves and modular forms were studied as separate objects.
5 min
Automorphic FormsModular forms are functions on the upper half-plane satisfying symmetry conditions under the modular group
5 min
Automorphic RepresentationsClassical modular form theory begins with analytic functions satisfying symmetry conditions.
5 min
The Langlands ProgramThe Langlands program is one of the most ambitious and influential theories in modern mathematics.
5 min
Galois RepresentationsGalois groups encode the symmetries of algebraic equations and field extensions.
4 min
FunctorialityThe Langlands program predicts that many different arithmetic objects are connected by systematic transfers.
5 min
Automorphic $L$-FunctionsThe Riemann zeta function
4 min
Trace FormulasFourier analysis decomposes functions into harmonic frequencies.
5 min
Shimura VarietiesModular curves parameterize elliptic curves and connect modular forms with arithmetic geometry.
5 min
Geometric Langlands TheoryThe classical Langlands program relates:
5 min