Meanings
alternative AlgNT
- uncountablemathematicsThe branch of number theory in which number-theoretic questions are expressed in terms of properties of algebraic number fields or related objects, and studied using techniques from algebra.
As is well-known in algebraic number theory, there is a far-reaching analogy between number fields and algebraic function fields in one variable with finite constant field.
1998, Norbert Klingen, Arithmetical Similarities: Prime Decomposition and Finite Group Theory, Oxford University Press (Clarendon Press), page 2412 more examples
The field of mathematics that these generalize to is known as algebraic number theory. As a matter of historical fact, our development here parallels the development of algebraic number theory.
2008, Steven H. Weintraub, Factorization: Unique and Otherwise, CRC Press, page 143Elementary arithmetic studies divisibility and factorization of ordinary integers, Algebraic number theory considers the same questions for algebraic numbers, solutions to polynomial equations with integer coefficients. In this setting, (un)fortunately, the uniqueness of prime factorization no longer holds. Remedying and measuring its failure is the starting point of algebraic number theory.
2013, Mak Trifković, Algebraic Theory of Quadratic Numbers, Springer, page v
Origin
Blend of algebraic number + number theory. Possibly (alternatively or also) a calque of German algebraische Zahlentheorie.
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Chinese Mandarin 代數數論 /代数数论
- 代數數論 /代数数论 (dàishùshùlùn)branch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
Finnish algebrallinen lukuteoria
- algebrallinen lukuteoriabranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
German algebraische Zahlentheorie
- algebraische Zahlentheoriebranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
Italian teoria algebrica dei numeri, teoria dei numeri algebrica
- teoria algebrica dei numeribranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
- teoria dei numeri algebricabranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
Polish algebraiczna teoria liczb
- algebraiczna teoria liczbbranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
Portuguese teoria dos números algébricos, teoria algébrica dos números
- teoria dos números algébricosbranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
- teoria algébrica dos númerosbranch of number theory concerning algebraic number fields
Cite this entry
algebraic number theory. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20number%20theory
“algebraic number theory.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20number%20theory. Accessed November 5, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “algebraic number theory,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/algebraic%20number%20theory.
Source: algebraic number theory on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.