Find the primes,for which a relation is satisfied

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying prime numbers \( p \) for which the congruence \( x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod{p} \) has a solution. Participants explore various mathematical approaches, including the use of the Legendre symbol and quadratic residues, while considering both odd and even primes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants propose that for \( x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod{p} \) to have a solution, it is necessary that \( \left( \frac{13}{p} \right) = 1 \).
  • It is suggested that \( p \) must be an odd prime of the form \( 1 + 13k \) or \( 1 + 26k \), with \( 53 \) being an example of such a prime.
  • Another participant questions whether \( p \) must be greater than \( 13 \) and suggests that \( p = 2 \) should also be considered.
  • One participant presents an array of quadratic residues modulo \( 13 \) and questions whether only primes of the form \( 3 + 13k \) can satisfy the relation.
  • There is a discussion about whether the condition \( (x, 13) = 1 \) is necessary for solutions, with some arguing it is not required.
  • Participants explore the implications of dropping the restriction on \( (x, 13) \) and discuss the validity of solutions when \( x \equiv 0 \).
  • It is proposed that all possible primes could be of the forms \( 13k + 1, 13k + 4, 13k + 9, 13k + 3, 13k + 12 \), or \( 13k + 10 \).
  • Some participants suggest a more concise categorization of odd primes based on their forms related to \( 13 \).

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express multiple competing views regarding the necessary conditions for \( p \) and the forms of primes that satisfy the relation. The discussion remains unresolved on several points, particularly concerning the necessity of certain conditions and the completeness of the proposed forms of primes.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the discussion involves assumptions about quadratic residues and the Legendre symbol, which may not be universally agreed upon. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of specific cases, such as \( p = 2 \) and \( p = 13 \).

evinda
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Hey! (Wave)

I have to find the primes $p$,for which $x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod p$ has a solution.

That's what I have tried:

$$\text{ Let } p>13:$$
We want that $\displaystyle{ \left ( \frac{13}{p} \right )}=1$

$$\left ( \frac{13}{p} \right )=(-1)^{\frac{13-1}{2} \cdot \frac{p-1}{2}}\left ( \frac{p}{13} \right ) $$

As $(-1)^{\frac{13-1}{2}=1, \text{ it must be: } \frac{p-1}{2}}\left ( \frac{p}{13} \right )=1$

So, $x^2 \equiv p \pmod{13}$ should have a solution..

Is that what I have tried right? Also,what else could I do? (Thinking)
 
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Hi! (Happy)

evinda said:
Hey! (Wave)

I have to find the primes $p$,for which $x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod p$ has a solution.
So, $x^2 \equiv p \pmod{13}$ should have a solution..

Is that what I have tried right? Also,what else could I do? (Thinking)

Looks good! (Nod)

What you can do is continue.
Which squares are there? (Thinking)

The first square is with $x=1$ in which case we get $p \equiv 1^2 \pmod{13}$.
So the original equation would have a solution if $p$ is an odd prime of the form $1+13k$.
And since $p$ has to be odd, we can also write it as $1+26k$.
First option that is prime is $53$.
And indeed, with e.g. $x=15$ we find $x^2 \equiv 15^2 \equiv 13 \pmod{53}$. (Mmm)

Btw, there's no need to require $p > 13$. You only need that it is odd.
So don't forget $p=2$. Is there a solution in that case? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Hi! (Happy)
Looks good! (Nod)

What you can do is continue.
Which squares are there? (Thinking)

The first square is with $x=1$ in which case we get $p \equiv 1^2 \pmod{13}$.
So the original equation would have a solution if $p$ is an odd prime of the form $1+13k$.
And since $p$ has to be odd, we can also write it as $1+26k$.
First option that is prime is $53$.
And indeed, with e.g. $x=15$ we find $x^2 \equiv 15^2 \equiv 13 \pmod{53}$. (Mmm)

Btw, there's no need to require $p > 13$. You only need that it is odd.
So don't forget $p=2$. Is there a solution in that case? (Wondering)

I created this array:

$$\begin{bmatrix}
x \ \ |& 1 & 2 &3 &4 &5 &6 \\
\ \ \ \ |& - & - & - & - & - & -\\
x^2 \ | & 1 & 4 & 9 & 3 & 12 & 10
\end{bmatrix}$$

So, is it only possible that $p \equiv 3 \pmod{13}$,because the only prime at the square residues is $3$ ,or am I wrong? (Sweating)
 
evinda said:
I created this array:

$$\begin{bmatrix}
x \ \ |& 1 & 2 &3 &4 &5 &6 \\
\ \ \ \ |& - & - & - & - & - & -\\
x^2 \ | & 1 & 4 & 9 & 3 & 12 & 10
\end{bmatrix}$$

So, is it only possible that $p \equiv 3 \pmod{13}$,because the only prime at the square residues is $3$ ,or am I wrong? (Sweating)

Remember that $p \equiv 3 \pmod{13}$ means that $p=3+13k$. So this is not only $p=3$, but also $p=16, 29, ...$. As you can see $p=29$ is also a prime. (Wasntme)

Each of the residues will generate primes.

What about $x\equiv 0$? (Wondering)
 
I like Serena said:
Remember that $p \equiv 3 \pmod{13}$ means that $p=3+13k$. So this is not only $p=3$, but also $p=16, 29, ...$. As you can see $p=29$ is also a prime. (Wasntme)

Each of the residues will generate primes.

What about $x\equiv 0$? (Wondering)

Shouldn't it be $(x,13)=1$ ? (Thinking)

So can I just say that the relation is satisfied only for primes of the form $13k+3$? Or not? (Sweating)
 
evinda said:
Shouldn't it be $(x,13)=1$ ? (Thinking)

I see no reason why it should.
Let's see what happens with $p=13$ in the original equation.
Does $x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod {13}$ have a solution? (Wondering)
So can I just say that the relation is satisfied only for primes of the form $13k+3$? Or not? (Sweating)

There are many more.
Pick $x\equiv 1$ and we find $p \equiv 1 \pmod{13}$.
Now $1$ may not be a prime, but $1+4\cdot 13 = 53$ is a prime... (Thinking)
 
I like Serena said:
I see no reason why it should.

I thought it,because,according to my notes, if $x$ is a solution of $x^2 \equiv a \pmod m$,then $(x,m)=1$..So isn't it also like that in our case?

I like Serena said:
Let's see what happens with $p=13$ in the original equation.
Does $x^2 \equiv 13 \pmod {13}$ have a solution? (Wondering)
No,it has no solution,because $(13,13)=13 \neq 1$..or am I wrong?

I like Serena said:
There are many more.
Pick $x\equiv 1$ and we find $p \equiv 1 \pmod{13}$.
Now $1$ may not be a prime, but $1+4\cdot 13 = 53$ is a prime... (Thinking)
$$\begin{bmatrix}
x \ \ |& 1 & 2 &3 &4 &5 &6 \\
\ \ \ \ |& - & - & - & - & - & -\\
x^2 \ | & 1 & 4 & 9 & 3 & 12 & 10
\end{bmatrix}$$

So..do we maybe see from the array that all the possible primes are of the form $13k+1, 13k+4, 13k+9 ,13k+3,13k+12 \text{ or } 13k+10$ ?? Or can't we do it like that? (Sweating)
 
evinda said:
I thought it,because,according to my notes, if $x$ is a solution of $x^2 \equiv a \pmod m$,then $(x,m)=1$..So isn't it also like that in our case?

If you look at the definition of the Legendre symbol, you'll see that $x\equiv a \equiv 0$ is allowed.
It does mean that $\left(\frac a p\right)$ has the special value of $0$.

Anyway, there's no need to put in that restriction.
As I see it, it should not be there unless specifically mentioned in the problem statement (which would not be unusual). (Wasntme)

No,it has no solution,because $(13,13)=13 \neq 1$..or am I wrong?

If we drop that restriction, it does have a valid and sensible solution. (Wasntme)
$$\begin{bmatrix}
x \ \ |& 1 & 2 &3 &4 &5 &6 \\
\ \ \ \ |& - & - & - & - & - & -\\
x^2 \ | & 1 & 4 & 9 & 3 & 12 & 10
\end{bmatrix}$$

So..do we maybe see from the array that all the possible primes are of the form $13k+1, 13k+4, 13k+9 ,13k+3,13k+12 \text{ or } 13k+10$ ?? Or can't we do it like that? (Sweating)

Yep. We can do it like that.
I'd say: odd primes of the form $13k\pm 1, 13k\pm 3, 13k\pm 4$, which is shorter.
Or: primes of the form $26k\pm 1, 26k\pm 3, 26k + 13 \pm 4$.
... and we might also mention the solution when $x\equiv 0$.
... and we might check the case $p=2$ separately, since we were only looking at odd primes. (Wink)
 
I like Serena said:
If you look at the definition of the Legendre symbol, you'll see that $x\equiv a \equiv 0$ is allowed.
It does mean that $\left(\frac a p\right)$ has the special value of $0$.

Anyway, there's no need to put in that restriction.
As I see it, it should not be there unless specifically mentioned in the problem statement (which would not be unusual). (Wasntme)
If we drop that restriction, it does have a valid and sensible solution. (Wasntme)

Yep. We can do it like that.
I'd say: odd primes of the form $13k\pm 1, 13k\pm 3, 13k\pm 4$, which is shorter.
Or: primes of the form $26k\pm 1, 26k\pm 3, 26k + 13 \pm 4$.
... and we might also mention the solution when $x\equiv 0$.
... and we might check the case $p=2$ separately, since we were only looking at odd primes. (Wink)

I understand (Sun) Thanks a lot! (Mmm)
 

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