- #1
- 2,076
- 140
Homework Statement
Let a belong to a group and |a| = m. If n is relatively prime to m, show that
a can be written as the nth power of some element in the group.
Homework Equations
We know :
|a| = m
gcd(m,n) = 1
We want to show :
bn = a for some b in the group.
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay, I didn't really know where to start with this one, but I'll give it a try.
We know the gcd can be written as a linear combination, that is :
gcd(m,n) = 1 = ms + nt for some integers s and t.
Now :
1 = ms + nt
a1 = ams + nt
a = ams ant
a = easant
a = asant
Here's where I get stuck. Any pointers?