What is a good way to introduce Wilson's Theorem?

  • I
  • Thread starter matqkks
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Theorem
In summary, Wilson's Theorem is a result in number theory that states that for any prime number, its factorial minus one is divisible by that prime. This theorem is useful in simplifying calculations involving residue 1 modulo prime p and has an elegant formulation for prime numbers. While it may not have practical applications, it is a fascinating historical discovery that was re-discovered centuries later. There are also interesting resources available on the topic, including a connection to Fermat's Little Theorem.
  • #1
matqkks
285
5
What is the most motivating way to introduce Wilson’s Theorem? Why is Wilson’s theorem useful? With Fermat’s little Theorem we can say that working with residue 1 modulo prime p makes life easier but apart from working with a particular (p-1) factorial of a prime what other reasons are there for Wilson’s theorem to be useful?

Are there any good resources on this topic?
 
Mathematics news on Phys.org
  • #2
I doubt that there is a practical use. However, it is a quite funny result, especially if formulated as
$$
(n-1)! \equiv \begin{cases} -1 \;(\operatorname{mod} n)& \textrm{ if } n \textrm{ prime }\\
2 \;(\operatorname{mod} n)& \textrm{ if } n =4\\
0 \;(\operatorname{mod} n)& \textrm{ other cases }\end{cases}
$$
or elegant as ##(p-1)! \equiv -1\; (\operatorname{mod} p) \Leftrightarrow p \textrm{ prime }##.

I also find the historical part interesting as Wilson only re-discovered it 700 years later:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ibn_al-Haytham#Number_theory
 
  • Like
Likes matqkks

FAQ: What is a good way to introduce Wilson's Theorem?

What is Wilson's Theorem?

Wilson's Theorem is a mathematical theorem that states that if a number p is prime, then (p-1)! + 1 is divisible by p.

How is Wilson's Theorem used in mathematics?

Wilson's Theorem is mainly used in number theory, particularly in the study of prime numbers. It is also used in cryptography and in the construction of certain mathematical objects such as magic squares.

What is the significance of Wilson's Theorem?

Wilson's Theorem is significant because it provides a simple and efficient way to determine whether a number is prime or not. It also has applications in other areas of mathematics, such as in the construction of prime number sequences.

Can Wilson's Theorem be applied to all numbers?

No, Wilson's Theorem can only be applied to prime numbers. It does not hold true for composite numbers.

How is Wilson's Theorem proved?

Wilson's Theorem can be proved using basic properties of prime numbers and modular arithmetic. The proof involves showing that if a number p satisfies the conditions of the theorem, then it must be prime.

Similar threads

Back
Top