Cryptography: From Expanding an Empire to Winning World War II
This research looks at how mathematics, through cryptography, has affected our world history. From expanding an empire to possibly winning World War II, codes and ciphers have played an important role in world history. In general, the basics and key terms of cryptography are explained here, as well as example ciphers. One cipher explored here is the Caesar cipher. The creation, use and weaknesses of this easily broken, simple cipher are discussed. The Enigma, a far more complex code, is also discussed. This research looks at the creation and use of the Enigma and how, through mathematicians’ work, cracking the Enigma may have affected the outcome of World War II.
MATH 499, Capstone
Connie Wilmarth
PFB 103
2:00 – 2:30 PM