p-adic analysis is a branch of mathematics that deals with the p-adic numbers, which extend the concept of integers and rational numbers to include 'closeness' in a way that is useful for number theory and algebraic geometry. It provides a different perspective on convergence and continuity, making it essential for understanding various problems in number theory, including those related to elliptic curves and their properties.
congrats on reading the definition of p-adic analysis. now let's actually learn it.