Solving Wilson's Theorem w/ Odd Prime & Permutation

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This discussion centers on applying Wilson's Theorem to demonstrate that for an odd prime p and a permutation a_{1},...,a_{p-1} of the integers 1 through p-1, there exist indices i and j such that ia_{i} ≡ ja_{j} (mod p). The key insight provided is that by Wilson's Theorem, the product a_1·a_2·...·a_{p-1} equals -1, leading to the conclusion that -1/a_i equals the product of the remaining elements in the permutation. This establishes the necessary equivalence for the indices i and j.

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Bleys
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I guess this would be an elementary number theory question, but it's in Advanced Algebra by Rotman, so I figured it would go here. I apologize if it's wrong.

If p is an odd prime and a_{1},...,a_{p-1} is a permutation of 1,2,...,p-1 then there exist i \neq j with ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp.

It says to use Wilson's Theorem, but I can't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

I thought that for any i we have
ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp by Wilson.

I figured the j=-i modp, which is not equal to i since p is odd. But I'm not sure how to show
(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp}
if the assumption j=-i is even correct. Any help, please?
 
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Bleys said:
I guess this would be an elementary number theory question, but it's in Advanced Algebra by Rotman, so I figured it would go here. I apologize if it's wrong.

If p is an odd prime and a_{1},...,a_{p-1} is a permutation of 1,2,...,p-1 then there exist i \neq j with ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp.

It says to use Wilson's Theorem, but I can't seem to be getting anywhere with it.

I thought that for any i we have
ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp by Wilson.

I figured the j=-i modp, which is not equal to i since p is odd. But I'm not sure how to show
(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp}
if the assumption j=-i is even correct. Any help, please?


Gee, you did the hardest parts and you were almost there...! Anyway, by Wilson's Theorem:
a_1\cdot a_2\cdot\ldots\cdot a_{p-1}=-1\Longrightarrow \frac{-1}{a_i}=\frac{a_1\cdot a_2\cdot\ldots\cdot a_{p-1}}{a_i}=a_1\cdot\ldots a_{i-1}a_{i+1}\ldots a_{p-1}

DonAntonio

Ps Of course, the above is operations modulo p
 

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