Chapter 9: Problem 38
Consider the three prime numbers \(p=5,7\), and 17 . We want to calculate \(p\)-adic approximations to \(\sqrt{2}\). (i) For which of the three \(p\) does 2 have a square root modulo arbitrary powers of \(p\) ? (ii) For those \(p\) where possible, compute all square roots of 2 modulo \(p^{6}\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
2 has square roots for p = 5 and 17. Solutions are found using Hensel's lemma.
Step by step solution
01
Determine which primes allow square roots mod powers of p
The Legendre symbol \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) \) tells us if \( a \) is a quadratic residue modulo \( p \). For an odd prime \( p \), if \( \left( \frac{2}{p} \right) = 1 \), then 2 is a quadratic residue modulo \( p \). We calculate \( \left( \frac{2}{p} \right) \) for each prime using quadratic reciprocity.1. For \( p = 5 \), \( \left( \frac{2}{5} \right) = (-1)^{((2-1)/2)((5-1)/2)} = (-1)^{1 \cdot 2} = 1 \). So, 2 is a residue mod 5.2. For \( p = 7 \), \( \left( \frac{2}{7} \right) = (-1)^{((2-1)/2)((7-1)/2)} = (-1)^{1 \cdot 3} = -1 \). Hence, 2 is not a residue mod 7.3. For \( p = 17 \), \( \left( \frac{2}{17} \right) = (-1)^{((2-1)/2)((17-1)/2)} = (-1)^{1 \cdot 8} = 1 \). So, 2 is a residue mod 17.Thus, 2 has square roots modulo arbitrary powers of 5 and 17.
02
Calculate square roots of 2 modulo 5^6
Since 2 is a quadratic residue modulo 5, we want to find \( x \) such that \( x^2 \equiv 2 \mod 5^6 \).1. Start with modulo 5: Trial, \( 3^2 \equiv 9 \equiv 4 \mod 5 \). Thus, \( x \equiv 3 \mod 5 \) since \( 4 + 1 \equiv 5 \equiv 0 \mod 5 \).2. Use Hensel's lemma to lift the solution: - Assume \( x_k^2 \equiv 2 \mod 5^k \) with \( x_k = 3 \), and find \( x_{k+1} = x_k + 5^k c \) such that \( (x_k + 5^k c)^2 \equiv 2 \mod 5^{k+1} \). - Expand and solve for \( c \) in \( 2x_k5^kc \equiv 2 - x_k^2 \equiv 2 - 9 \equiv -7 \equiv 3 \mod 5 \). - Solving \( 6c \equiv 3 \mod 5 \), \( c \equiv 3 \cdot 6^{-1} \equiv 3 \cdot 4 \equiv 12 \equiv 2 \mod 5 \). Lift solution \( x_2 = 3 + 5 \times 2 = 13 \), and repeat the process.3. Continue lifting with Hensel's to find final solution modulo \( 5^6 \).Using Hensel's lemma repeatedly, we determine all potential squares modulo 5^6.
03
Calculate square roots of 2 modulo 17^6
Perform similar procedures as Step 2 given that 2 is a quadratic residue modulo 17.1. Start modulo 17: Trial and error, \( 6^2 = 36 \equiv 2 \mod 17 \) which means \( 6 \) is a root modulo 17.2. Use Hensel's lemma for lifting: - Assume \( x_k^2 \equiv 2 \mod 17^k \) with \( x_k = 6 \), compute \( x_{k+1} = x_k + 17^k c \). - Expand and solve similar linear congruence with \( 12c \equiv 2 - 36 \equiv -34 \equiv -17 \equiv 0 \mod 17 \), readily satisfied, so \( c = 0 \).3. Repeat process incrementally to lift the solution modulo \( 17^6 \).This gives the two roots, \( x \equiv 6 \mod 17 \^6 \) and \( x \equiv 11 \mod 17 \^6 \). Report all solutions from the lifting.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Legendre Symbol
The Legendre symbol, denoted as \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) \), plays a crucial role in determining whether a number \( a \) is a quadratic residue modulo a prime \( p \). It provides a simple algebraic test: if the symbol evaluates to 1, then \( a \) is a quadratic residue, meaning there exists some integer \( x \) such that \( x^2 \equiv a \mod p \). Conversely, if the symbol is -1, \( a \) is not a residue.
To use the Legendre symbol, several properties and rules can be applied:
To use the Legendre symbol, several properties and rules can be applied:
- For any non-zero integer \( a \), \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) = 0 \) if \( a \equiv 0 \mod p \).
- Quadratic Reciprocity helps in computing \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) \) for \( a = 2 \). Specifically, \( \left( \frac{2}{p} \right) = (-1)^{(p^2-1)/8} \) for odd primes \( p \).
- The symbol is multiplicative: \( \left( \frac{ab}{p} \right) = \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) \left( \frac{b}{p} \right) \).
Hensel's Lemma
Hensel's lemma is a brilliant tool used in number theory to "lift" solutions of congruences to higher powers of a prime \( p \). In the context of finding square roots, it allows us to extend a solution to \( x^2 \equiv a \mod p^k \) and find a corresponding solution \( x' \equiv x \mod p^k \) such that \( x'^2 \equiv a \mod p^{k+1} \).
Here's how the lemma is typically applied:
Here's how the lemma is typically applied:
- Begin with a known solution \( x_k \) satisfying \( x_k^2 \equiv a \mod p^k \). Initially found through trial and error or some other method.
- Assume \( x_{k+1} = x_k + p^k c \) where \( c \) is an integer you need to determine.
- Substitute this into \( (x_k + p^k c)^2 \equiv a \mod p^{k+1} \), expanding and simplifying to solve for \( c \).
- Solve the resulting linear congruence to get \( c \), then calculate \( x_{k+1} \).
Quadratic Residue
A quadratic residue modulo \( n \) is a number that can be expressed as the square of some integer under modulo \( n \). In simpler terms, if \( b \equiv x^2 \mod n \), then \( b \) is a quadratic residue modulo \( n \). Understanding quadratic residues is fundamental when examining the solvability of equations like \( x^2 \equiv a \mod p \).
Some key points about quadratic residues:
Some key points about quadratic residues:
- For a prime \( p \), exactly half of the non-zero numbers in the set \( \{1, 2, \ldots, p-1\} \) are quadratic residues.
- The concept is closely tied to the Legendre symbol. If \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) = 1 \), then \( a \) has a square root and is a quadratic residue modulo \( p \).
- However, if \( \left( \frac{a}{p} \right) = -1 \), no integer \( x \) exists such that \( x^2 \equiv a \mod p \).