Arithmetic is the branch of mathematics dealing with integers or, more generally, numerical computation. Arithmetical operations include addition ,
congruence calculation, division ,
factorization , multiplication ,
power computation, root
extraction , and subtraction . Arithmetic was part
of the quadrivium taught in medieval universities.
A mnemonic for the spelling of "arithmetic" is "a rat in the house
may eat the ice cream."
The branch of mathematics known as number theory
is sometimes known as higher arithmetic .
Modular arithmetic is the arithmetic of congruences .
Floating-point arithmetic is the arithmetic performed on real numbers by computers or other automated devices using a fixed number
of bits.
The fundamental theorem of arithmetic , also called the unique factorization theorem, states that any positive
integer can be represented in exactly one way
as a product of primes .
The Löwenheim-Skolem theorem , which is a fundamental result in model theory , establishes
the existence of "nonstandard" models of arithmetic.
See also Algebra ,
Calculus ,
Congruence ,
Floating-Point
Arithmetic ,
Fundamental Theorem
of Arithmetic ,
Group Theory ,
Higher
Arithmetic ,
Interval Arithmetic ,
Linear
Algebra ,
Löwenheim-Skolem Theorem ,
Model Theory ,
Modular
Arithmetic ,
Number Theory ,
Significance
Arithmetic ,
Trigonometry Explore this topic in the MathWorld classroom
Portions of this entry contributed by Lynda
Sherman
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References Derbyshire, J. Prime Obsession: Bernhard Riemann and the Greatest Unsolved Problem in Mathematics.
New York: Penguin, pp. 371-372, 2004. Karpinski, L. C. The
History of Arithmetic. Chicago, IL: Rand, McNally, & Co., 1925. Maxfield,
J. E. and Maxfield, M. W. Abstract
Algebra and Solution by Radicals. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders, 1992. Thompson,
J. E. Arithmetic
for the Practical Man. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1973. Weisstein,
E. W. "Books about Arithmetic." http://www.ericweisstein.com/encyclopedias/books/Arithmetic.html . Referenced
on Wolfram|Alpha Arithmetic
Cite this as:
Sherman, Lynda and Weisstein, Eric W. "Arithmetic." From MathWorld --A Wolfram
Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/Arithmetic.html
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