%0 Journal Article
%T Counting irreducible polynomials over finite fields using the inclusion-exclusion principle
%A Sunil K. Chebolu
%A Jan Minac
%J Mathematics
%D 2010
%I arXiv
%X C. F. Gauss discovered a beautiful formula for the number of irreducible polynomials of a given degree over a finite field. Assuming just a few elementary facts in field theory and the exclusion-inclusion formula, we show how one see the shape of this formula and its proof instantly.
%U http://arxiv.org/abs/1001.0409v6