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# Math Foundation for Cryptography
Study system combining:
- **MIT 6.1200J** — Mathematics for Computer Science (Spring 2024)
- **University at Buffalo CSE 191** — Discrete Structures
- **University of Toronto CSC110/111** — Computational Thinking
## Folder Structure
- **discrete-math/** — Sets, logic, proofs, induction
- **linear-algebra/** — Vectors, matrices, operations
- **number-theory/** — Modular arithmetic, primes, GCD, etc.
- **logic-proofs/** — Formal reasoning, proof techniques
- **graph-theory/** — Graphs, trees, algorithms
- **algorithms/** — Complexity, sorting, searching
- **cryptography-prep/** — Building blocks for crypto (once foundation is solid)
- **lecture-notes/** — Raw notes from lectures before organizing
## Study Flow
1. Watch lecture → save raw notes to `lecture-notes/`
2. Extract key concepts → organize into appropriate topic folder
3. Link cross-references between topics
4. System reminds you of old concepts periodically
5. Practice problems generated from your notes
## Topics Covered
### Foundational (Start Here)
- [ ] Sets and Logic
- [ ] Proof Techniques
- [ ] Induction
- [ ] Basic Algorithms
### Intermediate
- [ ] Discrete Math (combinatorics, graphs)
- [ ] Linear Algebra (matrices, vectors)
- [ ] Modular Arithmetic
- [ ] Number Theory Basics
### Advanced (Path to Crypto)
- [ ] Prime Numbers and Factorization
- [ ] GCD and Extended Euclidean Algorithm
- [ ] Fermat's Little Theorem
- [ ] Chinese Remainder Theorem
- [ ] Cryptography Foundations
## Last Updated
Created: March 12, 2026

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# Algorithms
## Topics
- Algorithm Analysis (Big O)
- Sorting Algorithms
- Searching Algorithms
- Recursion
- Dynamic Programming
- Divide and Conquer
## Resources
- Toronto CSC110/111
- MIT 6.1200J Computational sections
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[graph-theory/00-index|Graph Theory]]
- [[logic-proofs/00-index|Logic & Proofs]]
- [[cryptography-prep/00-index|Cryptography Prep]]

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# Cryptography Foundations
## Topics
- One-way Functions
- Hash Functions
- RSA (number theory foundation)
- Symmetric Cryptography (math background)
- Public Key Cryptography (math requirements)
## Resources
- Build from: Number Theory, Linear Algebra, Algorithms
- MIT 6.1200J (as foundation)
- Will add crypto-specific resources later
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[number-theory/00-index|Number Theory]]
- [[linear-algebra/00-index|Linear Algebra]]
- [[algorithms/00-index|Algorithms]]
## Status
⏳ Not ready yet — build foundation first

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# Discrete Mathematics
## Topics
- Sets and Elements
- Logic and Proofs
- Induction
- Combinatorics
- Cardinality
## Resources
- MIT 6.1200J Lectures on Discrete Math
- Buffalo CSE 191
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[linear-algebra/00-index|Linear Algebra]]
- [[logic-proofs/00-index|Logic & Proofs]]

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# Sets: Basics and Operations
**Source:** MIT 6.1200J Lecture 01
## What is a Set?
A **set** is a collection of objects.
### Properties
- **No duplicates:** {1, 2, 2, 3} = {1, 2, 3}
- **Order doesn't matter:** {1, 2, 3} = {3, 1, 2}
- **Can be infinite:** = {0, 1, 2, ...}
- **Can contain other sets:** B = {2, {3, 4}, ∅}
## Basic Notation
### Membership
- **∈** (element of): 6 ∈ A means "6 is in set A"
- **∉** (not element of): {1, 2} ∉ A
### Subset
- **⊆** (subset): S ⊆ T means all elements of S are also in T
- Example: {1, 2} ⊆ {0, 1, 2, 6}
## Common Sets
- **** (Natural numbers): {0, 1, 2, ...}
- **** (Integers): {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...}
- **∅** or **{}** (Empty set): The set with no elements
## Set-Builder Notation
Used to define sets with predicates:
```
{n ∈ | isPrime(n)} = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...}
```
Reads as: "The set of all n in such that isPrime(n) is true"
Can also use colon instead of vertical bar: `{n ∈ : isPrime(n)}`
## Set Operations
### Intersection (∩)
A ∩ B = {elements in both A and B}
### Union ()
A B = {elements in A or B (or both)}
### Difference (\ or )
A \ B = {elements in A that are not in B}
## Ordered Tuples
When **order matters**, use parentheses (not braces):
- **(6, 1, 2, 0) ≠ (2, 1, 6, 0)**
- Duplicates allowed: (1, 2, 2, 3) is valid
- Set operations (∩, , etc.) don't apply to tuples
## Related
- [[../logic-proofs/00-index|Logic & Proofs]]
- [[00-index|Discrete Math Index]]

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# Graph Theory
## Topics
- Graphs and Nodes
- Paths and Connectivity
- Trees
- Graph Algorithms (DFS, BFS)
- Shortest Path
- Spanning Trees
## Resources
- MIT 6.1200J
- Buffalo CSE 191
- Toronto CSC110/111
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[algorithms/00-index|Algorithms]]
- [[discrete-math/00-index|Discrete Math]]

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# MIT 6.1200J Lecture 01: Predicates, Sets, and Proofs
**Date:** Tuesday, February 6, 2024
**Instructors:** Z. Abel, B. Chapman, E. Demaine
## Course Administration
- Lectures Tu/Th
- Recitations W/F (attendance counts 10%)
- Problem Sets due Mondays, released Tuesdays
- **Collaboration Policy:** Solve in groups, list collaborators, write solutions independently (no looking at others' work or using communal notes while writing)
- **Late Policy:** n hours late = 100 - n% of points (min 50%)
## Key Concepts
### What is a Proof?
**Definition:** A mathematical proof is a verification of a proposition by a chain of logical deductions from a base set of axioms.
### Propositions and Predicates
- **Proposition:** A statement that is either True or False
- Example (True): 2 + 3 = 5
- Example (False): 2 + 3 = 6
- **Predicate:** A proposition whose truth depends on variables
- Example: ∀n ∈ . n² + n + 41 is prime
### Sets (Introduction)
- **Set:** A collection of objects (no duplicates, order doesn't matter)
- **Notation:**
- ∈ (element of): 6 ∈ A
- ⊆ (subset): S ⊆ T means all elements of S are in T
- Set-builder notation: {n ∈ | isPrime(n)} = {2, 3, 5, 7, 11, ...}
- **Operations:**
- ∩ (intersection): A ∩ B
- (union): A B
- \ (difference): A \ B
- **Ordered Tuples:** (a, b) where order matters and duplicates allowed
#### Common Sets:
- = {0, 1, 2, ...} (natural numbers)
- = {..., -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, ...} (integers)
- ∅ or {} (empty set)
### Axioms
**Definition:** An axiom is a proposition assumed to be True. Must be stated upfront.
**Key Point:** Different axiom systems can be equally valid but yield different results.
#### Example Axioms:
1. If a = b and b = c, then a = c
2. **Euclidean:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, exactly one line through p parallel to l
3. **Hyperbolic:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, infinitely many lines through p parallel to l
4. **Spherical:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, no line through p parallel to l
### Consistency and Completeness
- **Consistent:** No proposition can be both proved and disproved
- **Complete:** Every proposition can be either proved or disproved
**Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem (1930s):** No set of axioms is both complete and consistent.
**Corollary:** If axioms are consistent, there exist true statements that cannot be proved.
## Important Note
- Understanding someone else's proof ≠ being able to piece your own proof together
- "In your own words" means: show your reasoning process

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# Raw Lecture Notes
Store unorganized lecture notes here, then move key concepts to appropriate topic folders.
## Files
(New notes appear here as you forward them)
## Organization Workflow
1. Save raw lecture as `lecture-COURSE-DATE.md`
2. Extract key concepts
3. Move relevant parts to topic folders
4. Keep references here for archival

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# Linear Algebra
## Topics
- Vectors and Vector Spaces
- Matrices
- Linear Transformations
- Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
- Determinants
## Resources
- MIT 6.1200J (as it relates to CS)
- Toronto CSC110/111
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[discrete-math/00-index|Discrete Math]]
- [[cryptography-prep/00-index|Cryptography Prep]]

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# Logic and Proofs
## Topics
- Propositional Logic
- Predicate Logic
- Proof by Contradiction
- Mathematical Induction
- Proof Techniques
## Resources
- MIT 6.1200J Mathematics for Computer Science
- Buffalo CSE 191
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[discrete-math/00-index|Discrete Math]]
- [[algorithms/00-index|Algorithms]]

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# What is a Proof?
**Source:** MIT 6.1200J Lecture 01
## Definition
A **mathematical proof** is a verification of a proposition by a chain of logical deductions from a base set of axioms.
## Key Components
1. **Proposition** — A statement that is either True or False
2. **Axioms** — Assumed-to-be-true base statements
3. **Logical deductions** — Chain of reasoning connecting axioms to conclusion
## Important: Different Proof Contexts
- Physics: Experiment/observation
- Statistics: Sampling
- Law: Judge/jury verdict
- Business: Authority
- Mathematics: Logical deduction from axioms
## Why State Axioms?
- Mathematics requires assumptions (axiom = stated assumption)
- Different axiom systems lead to different mathematical worlds
- Example: Euclidean vs. Hyperbolic geometry — both valid with different parallel axioms
## Related
- [[../discrete-math/00-index|Discrete Math Foundations]]
- [[02-propositions|Propositions]]

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# Propositions and Predicates
**Source:** MIT 6.1200J Lecture 01
## Proposition
**Definition:** A statement that is either True or False.
### Examples
- **True:** 2 + 3 = 5
- **False:** 2 + 3 = 6
### Non-examples (not propositions)
- "Hello" — not a statement
- "Who are you?" — a question, not a declarative statement
## Predicate
**Definition:** A proposition whose truth depends on variables.
### Examples
- P(n) = "n² + n + 41 is prime" where n ∈
- Q(x, y) = "x + y = 5" where x, y ∈
### Notation
- ∀ (for all): ∀n ∈ . P(n)
- ∃ (there exists): ∃n ∈ . P(n)
## Implication (A ⇒ B)
**Key point:** A ⇒ B is NOT about causation or time ordering.
Truth table:
| A | B | A ⇒ B |
|---|---|-------|
| T | T | T |
| T | F | F |
| F | T | **T** |
| F | F | T |
**Note:** "If and only if" (A ⟺ B) means (A ⇒ B) AND (B ⇒ A)
## Related
- [[01-what-is-a-proof|What is a Proof?]]
- [[03-axioms-and-godel|Axioms & Gödel's Theorem]]

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# Axioms and Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem
**Source:** MIT 6.1200J Lecture 01
## Axiom
**Definition:** A proposition that is assumed to be True.
### Key Insight
- You MUST make assumptions in mathematics
- The key is to **state them upfront**
## Examples of Contradictory Axiom Systems
All three are equally valid — they define different geometric worlds:
1. **Euclidean:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, exactly one line through p parallel to l
2. **Hyperbolic:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, infinitely many lines through p parallel to l
3. **Spherical:** Given line l and point p ∉ l, no line through p parallel to l
**Lesson:** Different axioms yield different proofs and theorems. Anyone who accepts your axioms must accept theorems derived from them.
## Consistency and Completeness
### Consistent
Definition: A set of axioms is consistent if no proposition can be both proved and disproved.
### Complete
Definition: A set of axioms is complete if every proposition can be either proved or disproved.
**Ideal scenario:** Both consistent AND complete.
## Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem
**Theorem (Kurt Gödel, 1930s):** No set of axioms is both complete and consistent.
### Impact
- Shocked the mathematical community
- Logicians Russell and Whitehead spent careers trying to find complete + consistent axioms for arithmetic — impossible!
### Corollary
If axioms must be consistent (necessary for validity), then there exist **True statements that cannot be proved**.
### Example
- Goldbach's Conjecture might be true but unprovable
- (If so, please don't assign it as homework!)
## Related
- [[02-propositions|Propositions]]
- [[01-what-is-a-proof|What is a Proof?]]

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# Number Theory
## Topics
- Divisibility and Primes
- Modular Arithmetic
- GCD and Extended Euclidean Algorithm
- Fermat's Little Theorem
- Chinese Remainder Theorem
- Factorization
## Resources
- Buffalo CSE 191
- MIT 6.1200J Number Theory sections
## Key Concepts
(Add as you learn)
## Related
- [[cryptography-prep/00-index|Cryptography Prep]]
- [[discrete-math/00-index|Discrete Math]]