Department of Mathematics and Statistics, IIT Kanpur

MTH 668A (Introduction to Analytic Number Theory),

Winter Semester 2020-21
Instructor: Saurabh Kumar Singh,
saurabs@iitk.ac.in

Office hours - Wednesday, 15:00-16:00 


Objective:
Analytic number theory is a major branch of number theory. One of the basic theme of analytic
number theory is that the study of distribution of prime numbers is deeply related with some
complex analytic properties of certain Dirichlet series.
The main goal of this introductory course is to study two fundamental theorems under this theme-
(i) Dirichlet Theorem on Primes in Arithmetic Progression: This theorem discusses how the
distribution of primes numbers in an A.P. is related to the non-vanishing of certain Dirichlet L-
function.
(ii) The Prime Number Theorem: This theorem relates the distribution of prime numbers with the
behaviour of the Riemann Zeta function on the line Re(s) =1 in the complex plane.


We will also introduce modular forms and the associated L-functions. Modular forms are certain
analytic functions defined on the upper half of the complex plane which have many symmetries
with respect to the matrix group SL(2, Z). Given a 'nice' modular form one can naturally associate
an L-function, which can also be expressed as a Dirichlet series on the complex plane. The L-
function of a modular form is a central object of study in number theory both from analytic as well
as arithmetic point of view.

Prerequisites: Instructor’s consent; however it will be assumed that the student is comfortable
in complex analysis at a level of MTH403 and abstract algebra at a level of MTH204.
Contents:

I. Arithmetical functions.
II. Distribution of prime numbers; some elementary estimates.
III. Characters of finite abelian groups.
IV. Riemann Zeta function and Dirichlet L-functions.
V. Dirichlet’s Theorem on primes in arithmetic progression.
VI. Prime Number Theorem and related topics.
VII.Modular forms(for SL(2,Z)). 







References:
1. Introduction to Analytic Number Theory, T.M. Apostol, UTM, Springer-Verlag 1976.
2. Multiplicative Number Theory, H. Davenport, GTM 74, Springer-Verlag.
3. Problems in Analytic Number Theory, M. Ram Murty, GTM 206, Springer-Verlag.
4. Multiplicative Number Theory I, H. L. Montgomery and R C Vaughan, Cambridge Studies in
Advance Math. 97.
5. Complex Analysis, E. Stein and R. Shakarchi, Princeton University Press.
6. A course in Arithmetic, J. P. Serre, GTM 07, Springer-Verlag.
7. Introduction to elliptic curves and modular forms, N. Koblitz, GTM 97, Springer-Verlag.