The expression x ≡ p (mod n) indicates that x is congruent to p modulo n, meaning that when x is divided by n, it leaves a remainder of p. This relationship holds true under the condition that p is less than n, which is the typical scenario in modular arithmetic. More broadly, it signifies that the difference x - p is divisible by n. Understanding this concept is crucial for applications in number theory and cryptography. The discussion emphasizes the importance of the congruence notation in expressing these relationships clearly.