MHB Odd Composite Property 1: A Unique Factorization Rule

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For any odd composite number 'N', the relationship between u = (N-1)/2 and v = u+1 establishes that u^2 ≡ v^2 (mod p) if and only if p is a factor of N. This is derived from the equivalence 0 ≡ 2u + 1 (mod p), leading to the conclusion that N = kp for some integer k. Conversely, if N = kp, the calculations show that u^2 and v^2 also satisfy the modular equivalence. The discussion emphasizes that p cannot be 2, highlighting the unique properties of odd composites. This unique factorization rule provides insights into the behavior of odd composite numbers in modular arithmetic.
yourskadhir
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Hi,

For any odd composite 'N', let u = (N-1)/2, v = u+1, then u^2(mod p) = v^2(mod p) if and only if 'p' is a factor of 'N'.
 
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Re: Odd composite property1

suppose that:

$u^2 \equiv v^2\ (\text{mod }p)$

since $v = u+1$ this is the same as saying:

$0 \equiv 2u + 1\ (\text{mod }p)$

that is:

$2u + 1 = kp$ for some integer $k$.

recalling that $u = \frac{N-1}{2}$, we see that:

$2u + 1 = N = kp$, in which case $p$ divides (is a factor of) $N$.

on the other hand, suppose that $N = kp$.

then:

$u^2 = \frac{N^2 - 2N + 1}{4}$ while:

$v^2 = \left(\frac{N+1}{2}\right)^2 = \frac{N^2 + 2N + 1}{4}$

so:

$v^2 - u^2 = \frac{4N}{4} = N = kp$ thus:

$u^2 \equiv v^2\ (\text{mod }p)$

(it might be instructive to see why p cannot be 2).
 
Here is a little puzzle from the book 100 Geometric Games by Pierre Berloquin. The side of a small square is one meter long and the side of a larger square one and a half meters long. One vertex of the large square is at the center of the small square. The side of the large square cuts two sides of the small square into one- third parts and two-thirds parts. What is the area where the squares overlap?

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