New Reply

Wilson's Theorem

 
Share Thread
Jun13-12, 08:09 AM   #1
 

Wilson's Theorem


I guess this would be an elementary number theory question, but it's in Advanced Algebra by Rotman, so I figured it would go here. I apologize if it's wrong.

If p is an odd prime and [itex]a_{1},...,a_{p-1}[/itex] is a permutation of [itex]1,2,...,p-1[/itex] then there exist [itex]i \neq j[/itex] with [itex]ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp [/itex].

It says to use Wilson's Theorem, but I can't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

I thought that for any i we have
[itex]ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp[/itex] by Wilson.

I figured the j=-i modp, which is not equal to i since p is odd. But I'm not sure how to show
[itex] (a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp} [/itex]
if the assumption j=-i is even correct. Any help, please?
PhysOrg.com science news on PhysOrg.com

>> City-life changes blackbird personalities, study shows
>> Origins of 'The Hoff' crab revealed (w/ Video)
>> Older males make better fathers: Mature male beetles work harder, care less about female infidelity
Jun13-12, 09:03 AM   #2
 
Quote by Bleys View Post
I guess this would be an elementary number theory question, but it's in Advanced Algebra by Rotman, so I figured it would go here. I apologize if it's wrong.

If p is an odd prime and [itex]a_{1},...,a_{p-1}[/itex] is a permutation of [itex]1,2,...,p-1[/itex] then there exist [itex]i \neq j[/itex] with [itex]ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp [/itex].

It says to use Wilson's Theorem, but I can't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

I thought that for any i we have
[itex]ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp[/itex] by Wilson.

I figured the j=-i modp, which is not equal to i since p is odd. But I'm not sure how to show
[itex] (a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp} [/itex]
if the assumption j=-i is even correct. Any help, please?

Gee, you did the hardest parts and you were almost there...! Anyway, by Wilson's Theorem:
[tex]a_1\cdot a_2\cdot\ldots\cdot a_{p-1}=-1\Longrightarrow \frac{-1}{a_i}=\frac{a_1\cdot a_2\cdot\ldots\cdot a_{p-1}}{a_i}=a_1\cdot\ldots a_{i-1}a_{i+1}\ldots a_{p-1}[/tex]

DonAntonio

Ps Of course, the above is operations modulo p
New Reply

Similar discussions for: Wilson's Theorem
Thread Forum Replies
Prove Wilson's theorem by Lagrange's theorem Linear & Abstract Algebra 4
Wilson's Theorem Linear & Abstract Algebra 3
Wilson's Theorem Calculus & Beyond Homework 6
Wilson's Theorem Question Calculus & Beyond Homework 2
Proof of Wilson's Theorem Linear & Abstract Algebra 22