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MATH 01352 · Theory of Numbers

MATH 01352 · Congruences

Euler totient / Fermat little theorem

Definition

φ(n) counts integers in 1..n−1 coprime to n. Euler: if gcd(a,n)=1 then a^{φ(n)}≡1 (mod n). Fermat: if p prime and p∤a then a^{p−1}≡1 (mod p) (since φ(p)=p−1).

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Also aᵖ ≡ a (mod p) for prime p (freshman dream form).

φ is multiplicative on coprime factors; φ(pᵏ)=pᵏ−pᵏ⁻¹.

Use to reduce huge exponents mod n.

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Attempt each problem first, then open the worked solution.

  1. 1.Compute 2^{100} mod 17 using Fermat.