EMA EMITS COLLEGE PHILIPPINES

(Formerly: Eastern Mindoro Institute of Technology & Sciences)

Del Pilar St.; Pinamalayan, Oriental Mindoro
Telefax No. (043) 284-3974

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History of Number Theory and

MODULE Introduction to Integers
1 Telefax No. (043) 284-3974

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this Module, you should be able to:
 discover the history and basic concepts of number theory;
 characterize and classify integers;
 explain the rules on operations on integers; and
 perform operations of integers.

1.1 History and Basic Concepts of Number Theory

Before the dawn of computers, many viewed number theory as last bastion of “pure
math” which could not be useful and must be enjoyed only for its aesthetic beauty. Number
theory is crucial for encryption algorithms. Of utmost importance to everyone from Bill
Gates, to the CIA, to Osama Bin Laden.
The encryption algorithms depend heavily on modular arithmetic. We need to develop
various machinery (notations and techniques) for manipulating numbers before can describe
algorithms in a natural fashion.

What is Number Theory?

is a branch of pure mathematics devoted primarily to the study of the integers.

"The Queen of Mathematics”
-because of its foundational place in the discipline.
Study of prime numbers
properties of objects made out of integers or defined as generalizations of the integers.

Father of Number Theory

Pierre de Fermat 

Basic Concepts

Def. Set of NATURAL NUMBERS

N= {1, 2, 3, 4, 5, …}. N is also called the set of positive integers.

Def. Set of INTEGERS

Z= {…, -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, …}
Broken into two sets: Even numbers and odd numbers.

Def. Set of EVEN NUMBERS

E= {…, -4, -2, 0, 2, 4, 6, …}
A number is even if it can be written in the form 2n, where n is an integer.

Def. Set of ODD NUMBERS

 O= {…, -3, -2, -1, 1, 3, 5, …}
A number is odd if it can be written in the form 2n + 1, where n is an integer.

1.2 Introduction to Integers

Digits are the first concept of integers. There are ten digits namely: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
In our number system, the positions of the digits are important. For example, consider the
number 3,027. This can be represented in a place value table as follows:

Thousands Hundreds Tens Units/Ones

Integers 3 0 2 7

An integer is a whole number that can be either greater than 0, called positive integer, or
less than 0, called negative integer. Zero is neither positive nor negative. Positive integers, ie: 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, ... We say that its sign is positive. Negative integers, ie: –1, –2, –3, –4, –5, ... We say
that its sign is negative.

Integers extend infinitely in both positive and negative directions. This can be
represented on the number line. The number line is used to represent integers. This is shown
below.

Consecutive Integers

Consecutive integers are integers that follow in sequence, each number being 1 more than
the previous number, for example 22, 23, 24, 25, ...Consecutive integers can be more generally
represented by n, n +1, n + 2, n + 3, ..., where n is any integer.

Even and Odd Integers

Even integers are integers that can be divided evenly by 2, for example, –4, –2, 0, 2, 4, ...
An even integer always ends in 0, 2, 4, 6, or 8. Zero is considered an even integer. Odd integers
are integers that cannot be divided evenly by 2, for example, –5, –3, –1, 1, 3, 5, ... An odd integer
always ends in 1, 3, 5, 7, or 9.

Operations and Properties of Integers

Addition and Subtraction of Integers

Rule 1: To add integers with the same signs, add their absolute values and attach their common
sign to the sum.
Rule 2: To add integers with different signs, subtract their absolute values and attach the sign of
the number with larger absolute value.
Rule 3: To subtract integers, say a – b, the subtrahend b changes its sign from + to - , or from
– to + and then addition rules take place.
Examples:
a. 12 + 5 = 17 d. 10 – 3 = 10 +(-3) = 7
b. -6 + (-3) = -9 e. -4 – (-2) = -4 + 2 = -2
c. 5 + (-16) = -11 f. 6 – (-7) = 6 + 7 = 13

Properties of Addition
1. The Commutative Property of Addition – states that two integers can be added in any
order to get the same result.
a+b=b+a
3+2=2+3
5=5
2. The Associative Property of Addition – illustrates that it doesn’t matter how we group or
associate numbers in addition.
(a + b) + c = a + (b + c)
(6 + 5) + 3 = 6 + (5+ 3)
11 + 3 = 6 + 8
14 = 14
3. The Closure Property of Addition – states that the sum of any two integers is also an
integer.
a+b=c
-6 + 1 = -5
4. The Identity/Zero Property of Addition – states that when we add zero to a number, the
number remains the same.
a+0=a
9+0=9
9=9
5. The inverse Property of Addition – illustrates those two numbers that are of the same
distance away from the origin, but on opposite directions are called opposites or additive
inverses of each other.
a + (-a) = 0
15 + (-15) = 0
0=0

Multiplication of Integers
To multiply two integers, multiply their absolute values and
a. Affix the + sign for the product of two numbers with like signs;
b. Affix the – sign for the product of two numbers with unlike signs
Examples: (5)(4) = 20 (3)(-2) = -6
(-7)(-3) = 21 (-6)(3) = -18
Properties of Multiplication
1. The Commutative Property of Multiplication – states that two integers can be multiplied
in any order to get the same result.
(a)(b) = (b)(a)
(8)(-2) = (-2)(8)
-16 = -16
2. The Associative Property of Multiplication – suggests that it doesn’t matter how we group
or associate numbers in multiplication to get the same result.
(a ∙ b) ∙ c = a ∙ (b ∙ c)
(6 ∙ 5) ∙ 2 = 6 ∙ (5 ∙ 2)
30 ∙ 2 = 6 ∙ 10
60 = 60
3. The Distributive Property of Multiplication over Addition – demands multiplying an
integer to every integer inside a parenthesis, then combine the results by addition.
a ∙ (b + c) = a ∙ b + a ∙ c
2 ∙ (1 + 3) = 2 ∙1 + 2 ∙ 3
2∙4=2+6
8=8
4. The Closure Property of Multiplication – states that the product of any two integers is also
an integer.
a∙b=c
7 ∙ 4 = 28
5. The Identity Property of Multiplication – illustrates that whenever we multiply an integer
by 1, the product is the same number.
a∙1=a
25 ∙ 1 = 25
6. The Zero Property of Multiplication – tells that whenever we multiply a number by zero,
its product is zero.
a∙0=0
17 ∙ 0 = 0
7. The Inverse Property of Multiplication – explains that any integer except zero has its
reciprocal, and whenever this number is multiplied to its reciprocal, the product is equal to 1.
a (1/a) = 1
2(1/2) = 1

Division of Integers
To divide two integers, divide their absolute value and:
a. Affix the + sign for the quotient of two integers with like signs
 b. Affix the – sign for the quotient of two integers with unlike signs
Examples: 12 ÷ 4 = 3 4 ÷ -2 = -2
-3 ÷ (-3) = 1 -10 ÷ 5 = -2

Properties of Division
1. The Division Involving 1
a. Any integer when divided by 1 equals the integer itself.
a÷1=a
8÷1=8
b. Any integer except zero, when divided by itself equals 1.
a÷a=1
10 ÷ 10 = 1
2. The Division Involving Zero
a. If a represents a non-zero number, then 0 ÷ a = 0
b. If a represents a non-zero number, then a ÷ 0 = undefined
c. The quotient of 0 ÷ 0 = undetermined or indeterminate
Other Properties of Integers
1. Reflexive Property – tells us that every number is equal to itself.
2. Symmetric Property – states that if a = b then b = a
3. Trichotomy Property – tells us that if a ≠ b, then either a < b or a > b.
4. Transitive Property – says that if a = b and b = c, then a = c.

Integers in Real Life Applications

Spending and earning money

Rising and falling temperatures

NAME/COURSE: __________________________________
Stock market gains and losses
ACTIVITY SCORE: __________ RATING: ___________
 “Once a person cheats in exam, forever people will distrust him.”

TEST I: Write the correct answer in each blank.

1. An integer is any number from the set {…, –4, –3, –2, –1, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, …} where …
means________________________.
2. Negative integers are integers ____________ than zero.
3. Positive integers are integers _____________than zero.
4. _____________ is neither negative nor positive. We call it the origin.
5. Positive numbers are always _________________ than negative numbers
6. Zero is always _____________ than a positive number, but (7.) ________________ than a
negative number.
8. When comparing two negative numbers, first imagine them on a number line. Whichever
negative number is closer to the zero is always __________________________.
For numbers 9 & 10. Make a number line in the box from -5 to 5.

TEST II: Perform the indicated operation of integers. Show your solution at the back of the
paper and write the final answer on the space provided.
NOTE: NO SOLUTION, NO POINT!
Find each sum.
1. (-4) + (-8) + 11 _____
2. 3 + (-11) + 8 _____
3. (-4) + 6 + (-3) _____
4. (-5) + (-5) + 1 _____
5. 3 + (-10) + 6 _____
Find each difference.
1. 5 − 3 − (−2) _____
2. 7 − (−6) – 7 _____
3. (−4) − (−8) − 2 _____
4. (−2) − (−1) − (−7) _____
5. 2 − (−5) − 3 _____
Find each product.
1. (3) (−7) _____
2. (−10) (12) _____
3. (−5) (8) _____
4. (−4) (6) _____
5. (−8) (12) _____
Find each quotient.
1. 204 ÷ (−2) _____
2. 125 ÷ 7 _____
3. 504 ÷ (−18) _____
4. 644 ÷ (−23) _____
5. 870 ÷ 29 _____

Reference:

http://joshua.smcvt.edu/numbertheory/book.pdf