Eulers and Fermats Theorems Help

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around two mathematical problems involving Euler's theorem and Fermat's Little Theorem. The first problem asks participants to show that the equation x² ≡ -1 (mod p) has no solutions for a prime p ≡ 3 (mod 4). The second problem involves finding integers x and y such that x² ≡ y² (mod n) for n = 84047 * 65497, with the condition that x is not congruent to ±y mod n.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests raising both sides of the equation x² ≡ -1 to the power (p - 1)/2, leading to the conclusion that x^(p-1) ≡ -1, which they argue is impossible since Fermat's theorem states x^(p-1) ≡ 1 mod p.
  • Another participant expresses confusion over the implications of (p - 1)/2 being even or odd, leading to a discussion about the nature of primes and their properties under modular arithmetic.
  • A later reply clarifies that if p ≡ 3 (mod 4), then (p - 1)/2 is odd, which affects the evaluation of (-1) raised to that power.
  • One participant attempts to solve the second problem by stating that if x² ≡ y² (mod n), then (x - y)(x + y) ≡ 0 mod n, suggesting that n must divide both x + y and x - y for certain values.
  • Another participant provides a specific example with values for x and y, but does not confirm the correctness of their approach.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of the implications of modular arithmetic in relation to the problems posed. There is no consensus on the resolution of the first problem, and the second problem also remains open to interpretation with various approaches suggested.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the properties of primes and modular arithmetic, but there are unresolved assumptions about the implications of these properties in the context of the problems. The discussion includes attempts to clarify definitions and theorems without reaching a definitive conclusion.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students or individuals interested in number theory, particularly those studying modular arithmetic and theorems related to prime numbers.

grandnexus
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I'm having a hard time solving two problems I've been looking at for a while, they both involve Eulers theorem and Fermat's Little Theorem, here they are:

Let p ≡ 3 (mod 4 ) be prime. Show that x^2 ≡ -1 (mod p) has no solutions. (Hint: Suppose x exists. Raise both sides to the power (p - 1)/2 and use Fermat's theorem).The other problem is this:

Let n = 84047 * 65497. Find x and y with x^2 ≡ y^2 (mod n) but x ≠(the symbol should be not congruent, couldn't find the symbol) +- (plus or minus) y mod n.I've been looking at these for 2 hours and I don't know how to solve these. Any ideas? If you show the solution, please explain how if possible, thanks!
 
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Notice that [tex]x^2 = -1[/tex] since [tex](p-1)/2[/tex] is an integer we can raise both sides to that power giving [tex]x^{p-1} = - 1[/tex] which is impossible because [tex]x^{p-1} = -1[/tex].
 
I'm not sure I understand what you are saying. I did raise the both sides to the (p-1)/2 and I got this:

[tex]x^{p-1}[/tex] ≡ 1 mod p

The reason the -1 goes to 1 is because (p - 1)/2 must be even since p is prime, there -1 raised to an even power goes to 1. From this point on I don't know what to do, I tried making the claim that [tex]x^{p-1}[/tex] was a in Eulers theorem and using his theorem and showing it was wrong, thus making the whole argument above wrong, but it did in fact work anyway...unless I did something wrong.
 
I think it has to do with the fact that (p-1)/2 is odd when p=3 (mod 4), so (-1)^( p(-1)/2 ) = -1. Kummer meant "which is impossible because x^(p-1) = 1 (mod p)".
 
How can (p - 1) / 2 be odd if p is prime? All prime numbers are odd, so minus one from an odd is an even, divided by 2 is another even.

Or, are you saying the whole expression (p ≡ 3 mod 4) is a prime, and not p by itself? In that case, I don't understand...
 
Oh nevermind, an even divided by an even can be even or odd, its an even * even that is always even. So now, I get the following::

x^p-1 ≡ -1 mod p

which isn't right because fermat stated:

x^p-1 ≡ 1 mod p


so x^2 ≡ -1 mod p has no solutions
 
grandnexus said:
How can (p - 1) / 2 be odd if p is prime? All prime numbers are odd, so minus one from an odd is an even, divided by 2 is another even.

6 divided by 2 doesn't look too even to me.
 
Riemann Hypothesis

what are trivial zeros?im a physics student and I'm willing to solve riemanns hypothesis.can you please simplify it's meaning...
 
Lol well yes I'm willing to solve it as well, but that's somewhat harder to do than it sounds =] No offense, but I would cry if an Applied Mathematician, let alone a Physicist, let alone a physics student! solved the Riemann Hypothesis. There are many equivalent statements that make the deep consequences of the theorem more evident, but in its original form it states that All the Non-trivial zeros of the Riemann Zeta function have a real part of 1/2.

The Riemann Zeta function is defined for all complex numbers, [itex]z \neq -1[/itex] by the relation: [tex]\zeta (z) = \sum_{n=1}^{\infty} \frac{1}{z^n}[/tex]. The trivial zeros of the line are the negative even integers, so -2, -4, -6 etc etc. The Non trivial zeros are other values of z that zeta(z) = 0.
 
  • #10
grandnexus: Let n = 84047 * 65497. Find x and y with x^2 ≡ y^2 (mod n) but x ≠(the symbol should be not congruent, couldn't find the symbol) +- (plus or minus) y mod n.

In those cases where x^2==y^2, Mod M it follows that (x-y)(x+y)==0. Mod M. So, simply by setting x==-y Mod M, we have a solution, such as x==1, y==-1 Mod M. BUT..

In the case above, we are going to omit either solution, thus it must be that M has factors with both x+y and x-y. That is x-y =a, x+y = b, and M divides ab. For example a simple case is x=5, y=1, and X^2-Y^2 ==0 Mod 12.

So the next step is to try and find those factors.
 
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  • #11
grandnexus said:
I'm having a hard time solving two problems I've been looking at for a while, they both involve Eulers theorem and Fermat's Little Theorem, here they are:

Let p ≡ 3 (mod 4 ) be prime. Show that x^2 ≡ -1 (mod p) has no solutions. (Hint: Suppose x exists. Raise both sides to the power (p - 1)/2 and use Fermat's theorem).


The other problem is this:

Let n = 84047 * 65497. Find x and y with x^2 ≡ y^2 (mod n) but x ≠(the symbol should be not congruent, couldn't find the symbol) +- (plus or minus) y mod n.


I've been looking at these for 2 hours and I don't know how to solve these. Any ideas? If you show the solution, please explain how if possible, thanks!

because p ≡ 3 (mod 4 ) ==> p ≡ -1 (mod 4 ) ==> (p-1)/2 = odd, because p+1 are divisible by 4, which of course means that p-1 is not divisible by 4, only by 2

the second problem: as robert said (x+y)(x-y)==0 mod n, but n do not divide x+y or x-y ==>

==> x+y = 84047, x-y = 65497 ==> x = 74772, y = 9275
 

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