Cryptography
In today's world, secret codes are not only for the purpose of
secret communication among military and diplomatic personnel. For
example, secret codes are used to protect computer files, access to
bank teller machines and electronic mail. Cryptography is the
application of techniques for encoding information - cryptology is the
science and study of cryptography. Matrices are among the mathematical
tools used for coding and decoding information. The attached page (see
instructor) describes one method that can be used.
Part 1 .
- Find out the difference between "single-key" cryptography and
"public-key" crtypography.
- Find at least one other method used for secretly coding
information.
- Do some historical research: are there critical incidents
in which the ability to decipher someone's secret code played a key
role?
Part II .
Write a Maple lab in which a students learns to use the technology to
find the inverse matrix, learns the technique on the attached page, and
applies it to two or more problems.
Part III .
Give a 15 minute presentation.