Methods and apparatus reducing the number of multipliers in Galois Field arithmetic are disclosed. Methods and apparatus for implementing n-valued Linear Feedback Shift Register (LFSR) based applications with a reduced number of multipliers are also disclosed. N-valued LFSRs with reduced numbers of multipliers in Fibonacci and in Galois configuration are demonstrated. Multiplier reduction methods are extended to n-valued functions with more than 2 inputs. Methods to create multiplier reduced multi-input n-valued function truth tables are disclosed. Methods and apparatus to implement these truth tables with a limited number of n-valued inverters are also disclosed. Scrambler/descrambler combinations with adders and multipliers over GF(2p) are provided. Communication, data storage and digital rights management systems using multiplier reduction methods and apparatus or the disclosed scrambler/descrambler combination are also provided.