Blog on Charlie’s Server

Is mean… ‘Secret’. Spent two hours today writing a proof (read: connection between two definitions) of Euler’s totient function. Although I see the function’s connection to cryptography, I’m not sure why I should be so concerned with its proof.

At any rate, I was able to understand and write a concise proof for it, and have moved on to part two (of two) of the homework, which I have declared as completely impossible. Half credit never sounded better.

Aside from the fact that it’s a graduate-level course for which I do not have the number theory prerequisites, I again find myself in way over my head.

Getting help didn’t seem to help much with the second part of the homework — that is, proving one definition of the Carmichael function to be equivalent to another. The number theory expert here told me that “the Carmichael function is stupid.” Lately, I tend to agree. Needless to say, he didn’t provide much assistance in that area.

The aforementioned number theory expert, Keith Conrad, was immensely helpful in providing the background material for cryptography class that I did not previously have. Lina and I happened to run into him in an elevator, and he so graciously offered assistance during his office hours, despite the fact that we are not his students (nor will will ever be, assuming we are successful in avoiding any further math-centric endeavors).

It so happens that my professor in linear algebra is also a number theorist. Lina and I had an appointment with him scheduled for today, but unfortunately he had to cancel this morning.

Said cryptography assignment is due tomorrow during cryptography class at 15:30, including the generous extension given by the professor as requested. I’ll try to drop by the professor’s office tomorrow at some point before his class, but I don’t expect much out of it.

Wish me luck.