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johndoe3344
Feb24-10, 04:00 PM
I came across this:

Show that if p denotes an odd prime, then 2^((p-1)/2) = +1 (mod p).

So basically, this is asking me to show that p|2^((p-1)/2)-1 AND p|2^((p-1)/2)+1

But I'm stuck from there. What am I missing? Could someone help me with the proof?

CRGreathouse
Feb24-10, 05:29 PM
Can you use Wilson's theorem?

So basically, this is asking me to show that p|2^((p-1)/2)-1 AND p|2^((p-1)/2)+1

No, replace the AND with OR.

JSuarez
Feb24-10, 06:21 PM
The statement is called Euler's criterion for quadratic residues. The key to prove it is Fermat's theorem.