Elementary Cryptanalysis, A Mathmatical Approach

Anneli Lax New Mathematical Library

by Abraham Sinkov

Most people, acquainted with cryptology either through sensational cloak and dagger stories or through newspaper cryptograms, are not aware that many aspects of this art may be treated systematically, by means of some elementary mathematical concepts and methods. In this introduction, Professor Sinkov explains some of the fundamental techniques at the basis of cryptanalytic endeavor from which much more sophisticated techniques have evolved, especially since the advent of computers. The mathematical topics relevant in these discussions include modular arithmetic, a little number theory, some linear algebra of two dimensions with matrices, some combinatorics, and a little statistics. Also included are programs in BASIC developed by Paul Irwin for use in his course based on this book.

Genres: Mathematics, Technical

Paperback

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Johnny · Rating 1 out of 5]

Post-Thoughts:
There's nothing elementary in "Elementary Cryptanalysis". I expected a thorough detailed explanation in the various mathematical approach and all I saw was gibberish. There are 33 topics in this short 232 page book! Honestly, you can take any 5 topics and make a 200+ page book. In any subject, the introduction should be able to guide you through all its topics and this book fails to do so.

This book is also disproportional. As you move along each chapter it becomes more ambiguous and difficult because the explanations are extremely complex, the examples are shorter, and the exercises are tougher. To top it off, there is no answer key to cross-check your work. It's very frustrating after spending countless hours working on a lengthy problem not knowing whether you're correct or not. Consequently I began to doubt myself, occasionally over-analyzing problems that were simple and ended up getting the answer wrong.

This book is more like a compendium rather than a learning guide. Abraham Sinkov basically barrages you with complicated crypts with limited information expecting the questions to be answered easily.
Sinkov needed to provide a longer clearer understandable explanation so that the exercises can be referenced to the examples.


Cover:
Very nice cover! A great preview of some of the topics that will be covered in the book. In case you're wondering what that mumble jumble is, the top blue part is the formula for the index of coincidence and the bottom orange is the polyalphabetic ciphers with mixed cipher sequences. I will love to give a brief explanation of each, but you know, the book sucks!

Conclusion:
Cryptanalysis is a perplexing subject for the keen-minded mathematicians. As much as I enjoy math, there's no way one can pick up this book and learn the contents without additional help. Sometimes I wish I have the intellect and talent of Fibonacci, Lagrange, or Newton so I wouldn't have to suffer so much in class. Everyone has their own individual learning curve, but this book is wickedly insane even for the smart kid who sits in the front of the class. I give this book measly "★" for failing my entire class.

[Brian Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Back when cryptanalysis took pencil, paper, and a pound of grit.