A tool designed for computing Euler’s totient function determines the number of integers less than a given integer that are coprime to it. For example, for the number 10, the integers 1, 3, 7, and 9 are coprime to it, so the totient function of 10 is 4. This function is frequently represented by the Greek letter phi ().
This function plays a crucial role in number theory and cryptography. Its significance stems from its close relationship with modular arithmetic and prime factorization. Historically, Leonhard Euler introduced this function, which has since become fundamental in various mathematical disciplines, especially in the study of prime numbers and the distribution of coprime integers. It forms the bedrock of the RSA encryption algorithm, a widely used public-key cryptosystem.