FactorizationIn mathematics, factorization (or factorisation, see English spelling differences) or factoring consists of writing a number or another mathematical object as a product of several factors, usually smaller or simpler objects of the same kind. For example, 3 × 5 is an integer factorization of 15, and (x – 2)(x + 2) is a polynomial factorization of x2 – 4. Factorization is not usually considered meaningful within number systems possessing division, such as the real or complex numbers, since any can be trivially written as whenever is not zero.
SequenceIn mathematics, a sequence is an enumerated collection of objects in which repetitions are allowed and order matters. Like a set, it contains members (also called elements, or terms). The number of elements (possibly infinite) is called the length of the sequence. Unlike a set, the same elements can appear multiple times at different positions in a sequence, and unlike a set, the order does matter. Formally, a sequence can be defined as a function from natural numbers (the positions of elements in the sequence) to the elements at each position.
Aurifeuillean factorizationIn number theory, an aurifeuillean factorization, named after Léon-François-Antoine Aurifeuille, is factorization of certain integer values of the cyclotomic polynomials. Because cyclotomic polynomials are irreducible polynomials over the integers, such a factorization cannot come from an algebraic factorization of the polynomial. Nevertheless, certain families of integers coming from cyclotomic polynomials have factorizations given by formulas applying to the whole family, as in the examples below.
Theta functionIn mathematics, theta functions are special functions of several complex variables. They show up in many topics, including Abelian varieties, moduli spaces, quadratic forms, and solitons. As Grassmann algebras, they appear in quantum field theory. The most common form of theta function is that occurring in the theory of elliptic functions. With respect to one of the complex variables (conventionally called z), a theta function has a property expressing its behavior with respect to the addition of a period of the associated elliptic functions, making it a quasiperiodic function.
Fermat's factorization methodFermat's factorization method, named after Pierre de Fermat, is based on the representation of an odd integer as the difference of two squares: That difference is algebraically factorable as ; if neither factor equals one, it is a proper factorization of N. Each odd number has such a representation. Indeed, if is a factorization of N, then Since N is odd, then c and d are also odd, so those halves are integers. (A multiple of four is also a difference of squares: let c and d be even.
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