Chapter 9: Problem 7
If \(p=2^{k}+1\) is prime, verify that every quadratic nonresidue of \(p\) is a primitive root of \(p\). [Hint: Apply Euler's criterion.]
Short Answer
Expert verified
Every quadratic nonresidue of \( p \) has order \( p-1 \), so it is a primitive root.
Step by step solution
01
Understand Euler's Criterion
Euler's criterion states that for a prime number \( p \), an integer \( a \) is a quadratic residue modulo \( p \) if and only if \( a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv 1 \pmod{p} \). Conversely, if \( a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv -1 \pmod{p} \), then \( a \) is a quadratic nonresidue.
02
Determine the Order of a Primitive Root
A primitive root modulo \( p \) is an integer whose order is \( p-1 \). This means that if \( g \) is a primitive root of \( p \), then \( g^k ot\equiv 1 \pmod{p} \) for any \( k < p-1 \).
03
Analyze the Given Prime Number
Given that \( p = 2^k + 1 \), \( p - 1 = 2^k \). The order of any element modulo \( p \) could be a divisor of \( 2^k \), meaning it could be \(2^i\) for \( i = 0, 1, \ldots, k \).
04
Check Terms of Euler's Criterion for Quadratic Nonresidues
For a quadratic nonresidue \( a \), Euler's criterion gives \( a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv -1 \pmod{p} \). This indicates \( a^{2^{k-1}} \equiv -1 \pmod{p} \).
05
Verify if Quadratic Nonresidue is a Primitive Root
Since \( a^{2^{k-1}} \equiv -1 \pmod{p} \) and \( (a^{2^{k-1}})^{2} \equiv a^{{2^{k}}}\equiv 1 \pmod{p} \), the smallest power where \( a^m \equiv 1 \pmod{p} \) is \( m = 2^k = p-1 \). So, any quadratic nonresidue \( a \) must have order \( p-1 \), proving it is a primitive root.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Euler's Criterion
Euler's Criterion provides a useful method to determine whether a number is a quadratic residue modulo a prime number, or not. In simple terms, if you have a prime number \( p \) and an integer \( a \), Euler's Criterion tells us:
- If \( a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv 1 \pmod{p} \), then \( a \) is a quadratic residue modulo \( p \).
- If \( a^{\frac{p-1}{2}} \equiv -1 \pmod{p} \), then \( a \) is a quadratic nonresidue modulo \( p \).
Primitive Roots
A primitive root modulo a prime \( p \) is a number that can generate all the non-zero residues modulo \( p \) through its powers. For a number \( g \) to be a primitive root modulo \( p \), its order must be exactly \( p-1 \). This means:
- \( g^k ot\equiv 1 \pmod{p} \) for any \( k < p-1 \).
- \( g^{p-1} \equiv 1 \pmod{p} \).
Prime Numbers
Prime numbers are the building blocks of number theory. A prime number \( p \) is a natural number greater than 1 that cannot be formed by multiplying two smaller natural numbers. Some key characteristics of prime numbers include:
- They have exactly two distinct positive divisors: 1 and themselves.
- Any number greater than 1 that is not prime is called composite.
Modulo Arithmetic
Modulo arithmetic, often called "clock arithmetic," is a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers wrap around upon reaching a certain value, the modulus. It's given by:
- \( a \equiv b \pmod{m} \) means \( m \mid (a-b) \).
- The modulus \( m \) divides the difference of \( a \) and \( b \).