E-Lecture - Modular Arithmetic

Modular Arithemetic is a special type of arithmetic that involves only integers. In this sub-topic, we will learn about polygonal arithmetic and the basics of modular arithmetic while presenting cyclic variables and solving problems of division using modular arithmetic.

Modular arithmetic is sometimes known as clock arithmetic as one of the most familiar uses of modular arithmetic is in the 12-hour clock which has the time period divided into two equal halves. The best way to introduce modular arithmetic is to think of the face of a clock.

The numbers go from 1 to 12 but when we get to “13 o’clock”, it actually becomes 1 o’clock again. So, 14 becomes 2, 15 becomes 3, 16 becomes 4 and so on.