Proving a^1729 = a (mod 1729) for all n

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving the congruence relation a^1729 = a (mod 1729) for all a. The context involves modular arithmetic and properties related to exponents and congruences.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the validity of the conjecture without additional hypotheses on a and n, with some providing counterexamples. Others question the clarity of the original statement and the implications of Fermat's little theorem.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the conjecture's validity, with some participants suggesting that the original poster clarify their question. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being discussed, and some guidance has been offered regarding the equivalence of the statement under different moduli.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that 1729 is not a prime number, which affects the applicability of certain theorems. There is also confusion regarding the presence of 'n' in the original question, leading to further clarification attempts.

Icebreaker
[SOLVED] Strong Pseudo-Primes

How would I show that a^1729 = a (mod 1729) for all n?
 
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Without further hypotheses on a and n, you wouldn't. For example, 5^1729 = 9 (mod 11).

Any similar conjecture will also be false. That is to say, let k be some fixed number. Then "a^k = a (mod n) for all n" is false, since it would imply that there would not be exist a primitive root mod p for p > k - 1, p prime.
 
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attempt to show by successive squaring
 
Muzza said:
Without further hypotheses on a and n, you wouldn't. For example, 5^1729 = 9 (mod 11).

Any similar conjecture will also be false. That is to say, let k be some fixed number. Then "a^k = a (mod n) for all n" is false, since it would imply that there would not be exist a primitive root mod p for p > k - 1, p prime.

The conjecture was that a^k=a. In your counterexample, that is, 5^1729=9, 5!=9.
 
The conjecture was that a^k=a. In your counterexample, that is, 5^1729=9, 5!=9.

Yes. What's your point?! 5 != 9 (mod 11) is precisely what makes it a counterexample to the conjecture, hence the conjecture isn't true.
 
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is it a conjecture that you are trying to show or are you asked to find a solution "a" to the question?
 
I must show for all a. The modolus is the same as the exponent. The modulus is not a prime, therefore Fermat's little theorem does not apply.
 
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ok i think you need toi restate your quesiton.

"How would I show that a^1729 = a (mod 1729) (for all n)?"
there is no n in this statement though i rememebr there being one.
 
I must show for all a. The modolus is the same as the exponent. The modulus is not a prime, therefore Fermat's little theorem does not apply.

I'll assume that what you actually want to prove is that a^1729 = a (mod 1729) for all a.

Since 1729 = 7*13*29, this is equivalent to showing that

a^1729 = a (mod 7),
a^1729 = a (mod 13), and
a^1729 = a (mod 19)

for all a. That should be easy.
 
  • #10
Yes, because, say, a^12 = 1 (mod 13). Thanks for the help.
 
  • #11


I still was confused wether the answer or question is correct ..



I'll assume that what you actually want
to prove is that a^1730 == a (mod 1729) for all a.

since 1730 = 1729 + 1 == 1 ( mod 1729 ), we have 1730 mod 1729 = 1

<=>

a^1 = a, hence a^1730 = a^1 = a ( mod 1729 )

a^1729 == a^0 = 1 ( mod 1729 )

<=>

1729 == 1 ( mod 1729 )

= = =

Since 1729 = 7*13*29, this is equivalent to showing that

a^1729 = a (mod 7),
a^1729 = a (mod 13), and
a^1729 = a (mod 19)

for all a. ??

Well 1729 = 7x13x19
<=>
1729 mod 1729 = 0
1729 mod 7 = 0
1729 mod 13 = 0
1729 mod 19 = 0

So a^1729 = a^0 = 1 (mod 1279),which only equals a for a=1 ...
 
  • #12


a^12 = 1 (mod 13).

13 = 12 + 1
12 mod 13 = 1,

a^12 = a ( mod 13 )

a^12 = a^0 = 1 (mod 12 )

Actually

a^(n+1) = a ( mod n )

a^n = 1 ( mod n )
 
  • #13


a^(n-1) = a^(-1) ( mod n )
 

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