Mastering Blockchain - Second Edition

Modular arithmetic

Also known as clock arithmetic, numbers in modular arithmetic wrap around when they reach a certain fixed number. This fixed number is a positive number called modulus, and all operations are performed concerning this fixed number. Analogous to a clock, there are numbers from 1 to 12. When it reaches 12, the number 1 starts again. In other words, this type of arithmetic deals with the remainders after the division operation. For example, 50 mod 11 is 6 because 50 / 11 leaves a remainder of 6.

This completes a basic introduction to some mathematical concepts involved in cryptography. In the next section, you will be introduced to cryptography concepts.