Solving Wilson's Theorem w/ Odd Prime & Permutation

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In summary, the conversation is discussing a problem involving odd primes and permutations of numbers. The use of Wilson's Theorem is suggested, but the person is having trouble solving it. They have attempted to use Wilson's Theorem and have made some progress, but are unsure of how to show a certain equation. Another person offers some help and provides a solution using Wilson's Theorem.
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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 [itex]a_{1},...,a_{p-1}[/itex] is a permutation of [itex]1,2,...,p-1[/itex] then there exist [itex]i \neq j[/itex] with [itex]ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp [/itex].

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
[itex]ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp[/itex] 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
[itex] (a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp} [/itex]
if the assumption j=-i is even correct. Any help, please?
 
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  • #2
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 [itex]a_{1},...,a_{p-1}[/itex] is a permutation of [itex]1,2,...,p-1[/itex] then there exist [itex]i \neq j[/itex] with [itex]ia_{i} \equiv ja_{j} modp [/itex].

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
[itex]ia_{i} = -i(a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} modp[/itex] 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
[itex] (a_{1}...a_{i-1}a_{i+1}...a_{p-1})^{-1} = a_{-imodp} [/itex]
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:
[tex]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}[/tex]

DonAntonio

Ps Of course, the above is operations modulo p
 

FAQ: Solving Wilson's Theorem w/ Odd Prime & Permutation

What is Wilson's Theorem?

Wilson's Theorem is a mathematical theorem that states that a positive integer n is a prime number if and only if (n-1)! + 1 is divisible by n.

How can Wilson's Theorem be used to solve for odd primes?

To solve for odd primes using Wilson's Theorem, we can use a permutation of the numbers 1 to n-1 to create the factorial term (n-1)!. If the resulting expression is divisible by n, then n is a prime number.

What is the significance of using a permutation in solving Wilson's Theorem?

Using a permutation allows for a systematic way to create the factorial term (n-1)! in the theorem. This helps to eliminate redundant calculations and makes the solving process more efficient.

Can Wilson's Theorem be used to solve for even primes?

No, Wilson's Theorem only applies to odd primes. For even primes, other methods such as the Sieve of Eratosthenes or the AKS primality test must be used.

Are there any limitations to using Wilson's Theorem for solving prime numbers?

Yes, Wilson's Theorem is only applicable to positive integers and does not work for all prime numbers. It also becomes increasingly difficult to use for larger numbers, making it impractical for finding large prime numbers.

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