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Problem of the Month

Math Department: chalkboard writing equation

Math Problem of the MonthApril 2008 The first student or students to email or campus mail the correct answer to Prof. Wolfe at mwolfe@sterling.edu will receive either extra-credit for whatever math class in which he/she/they are enrolled or serious on-campus bragging rights.  Please note that working together on this problem is fine but that you will receive proportionally less credit than if you had solved it by yourself. Last month’s problem was solved by Jessica Frederick! She is the fastest SUDOKU solver!  
April’s Problem: Almost all Internet and Commerce Security involves applied number theory. It usually contains two parts: one party has one piece and the other party has the second. To make this simple, these pieces are usually very large numbers, and each is used to verify authenticity.  In order for the security to be broken, one must be able to “break” the numbers, by prime factorization. Let’s see if you can do it with a “small” number. Write the prime factorization of 40261427. Hint: None of the primes are over four digits long.
April’s Problem:  Almost all Internet and Commerce Security involves applied number theory. It usually contains two parts: one party has one piece and the other party has the second. To make this simple, these pieces are usually very large numbers, and each is used to verify authenticity.  In order for the security to be broken, one must be able to “break” the numbers, by prime factorization. Let’s see if you can do it with a “small” number. Write the prime factorization of 40261427. Hint: None of the primes are over four digits long.
  There is only one correct answer.  Good luck!