Linus Envall: Class Number Statistics

Abstract:

Since Gauss introduced the ideas of class numbers and class groups in 1801, they have been an active area of research that intersect the development of number theory and abstract algebra. In this seminar, I give an accessible introduction to subject, building up the class group from the perspective of quadratic forms. Furthermore, I present my master degree project, in which I conjecture a second order term to the Cohen–Lenstra heuristics.