Description

This book deals with several aspects of what is now called "explicit number theory." The central theme is the solution of Diophantine equations, i.e., equations or systems of polynomial equations which must be solved in integers, rational numbers or more generally in algebraic numbers. This theme, in particular, is the central motivation for the modern theory of arithmetic algebraic geometry. In this text, this is considered through three of its most basic aspects. The first is the local aspect, the second is the global aspect, and the third aspect is the theory of zeta and L-functions. This last aspect can be considered as a unifying theme for the whole subject, and embodies in a beautiful way the local and global aspects of Diophantine problems. This unique collection of topics contains more than 350 exercises and its text is largely self-contained.