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PMATH 340Elementary Number Theory

Units
0.50
Faculty
Mathematics
Subject
Pure Mathematics

When it runs

  1. F24
  2. W25
  3. S25
  4. F25
  5. W26
  6. S26
  7. F26
  8. W27
  9. S27

Ran in 7 of the last 7 terms. Winter 2027: scheduled. Spring 2027: schedule not out yet.

An elementary approach to the theory of numbers; the Euclidean algorithm, congruence equations, multiplicative functions, solutions to Diophantine equations, continued fractions, and rational approximations to real numbers.

Prerequisites

  • Must have completed at least 1 of the following:
    • MATH135 - Algebra for Honours Mathematics (0.50)
    • MATH145 - Algebra (Advanced Level) (0.50)
    • MATH225 - Applied Linear Algebra 2 (0.50)

Antirequisites

None listed.

Leads to

No course lists it as a requisite.

Fall 2026 sections

Enrolment from UW Open Data, which can trail Quest by up to two days. Instructors and rooms: Schedule of Classes.
SectionClassEnrolledMeets
LEC 001616566 / 96MW 11:30–12:50

Resources

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Reviewed on UW Flow

79% liked it69% easy66% useful

From 73 ratings and 23 comments on UW Flow. The most helpful comments, quoted as written, without names. Read them all on UW Flow.

  • Long and hard assignments, but exams weren't too hard.

    Apr 2015 · liked it · 2 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Start of the course was just MATH 135 content. Later content was pretty interesting and made me briefly consider a PMATH major. Not a bird course but very manageable and definitely some engaging content.

    May 2025 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • The course was made much harder in my term than other terms I believe. Salma Shaheen was the instructor and did not do a good job in my opinion (lots of mistakes in class, posted solutions for half of the assignments and quizzes, not to mention that I believe the final was typed in a Word document(?)). Final exam was almost nothing like the two practice finals. Course average was probably about a 60-65 despite getting a 3% boost.

    Aug 2022 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Extremely difficult course

    Jun 2020 · didn’t like it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

  • Easy course. Everything was so trivial.

    Jun 2017 · liked it · 1 found this helpfulOn UW FlowRemove this

Discussed on r/uwaterloo

210 posts and comments in 151 threads mention PMATH 340, April 2011 to December 2024. Quoted word for word, newest first; each reply sits under the post and the comment that started its branch. Search r/uwaterloo for newer posts.

Fall 2024

Spring 2024

Easy UW electives 4 points, 0 comments

u/Own_Lengthiness3563: “I have to take three math electives in the fall term and I am confused between the following electives. I am looking to take easy electives and thus, would need some guidance on which ones to take. I am confused between PMATH 340 and stat 337. Math 229 and amath 231. Amath 351.”

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Fall 2023

Pmath courses online 1 point, 3 comments

“Any pmath courses online winter term? I thought none were available but I’m hearing that some are. Does anyone know of any?”

u/batson2002: “a check of quest says none are offered online, which course did you hear were?”

u/XxSniipr0XDuoxX: “Damn… It was PMATH340 I believe”

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Give advise for course selection (Pure Mathematics) 5 points, 4 comments

“I just finished my 1A term and now doing nothing inbetween terms. Here are my list of questions 1. What should I do inbetween terms? (I am doing nothing and feel like I am wasting my time) 2. …”

u/SnooSuggestions7200: “I recommend you take pmath 340 next term if you are looking for a joint in pmath. To get a joint, you just have to take a bunch of classes that have pmath in course code, and pmath 340 isn't a very difficult pmath class and only requires math 135/145 as prerequisite. …”

u/Ok-Freedom1481: “I tried to add pmath 340 but I don't think they have a winter course.”

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Spring 2023

Check it elsewhere for Fall 2026

Calendar versions

Undergraduate Calendar