MTH 4436 Section 5.

2 Homework Solutions
Fall 2009
Pat Rossi

Name

1. Use Fermats Theorem to verify that 17 divides 11104 + 1

Observe: 17 is prime and 17 - 11. Hence, by Fermats Theorem, 11171 1 (mod 17) .
i.e., 1116 1 (mod 17)
Next, note that 104 = (6) (16) + 8.
Finally, note that since 1116 1 (mod 17) , we have:
1116 1 0 (mod 17) (118 + 1) (118 1) 0 (mod 17) either:
(118 + 1) 0 (mod 17) or (118 1) 0 (mod 17) .(because there are no zero divisors
mod 17, since 17 is prime)
If (118 1) 0 (mod 17) , then (114 + 1) (114 1) 0 (mod 17) either:
(114 + 1) 0 (mod 17) or (114 1) 0 (mod 17) .
But neither (114 + 1) 0 (mod 17) nor (114 1) 0 (mod 17) .
Therefore, (118 + 1) 0 (mod 17) .
118 1 (mod 17)
Hence,
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11104 = 11(6)(16)+8 = 11(6)(16) 118 = (1116 ) 118 (1)6 (1) (mod 17) 1 (mod 17)
i.e., 11104 = 1 (mod 17) 11104 + 1 = 0 (mod 17)
Hence, 17 divides 11104 + 1.Proof.

2. ~
(a) If gcd (a, 35) = 1, show that a12 1 (mod 35)
Proof. Let the hypothesis be given (i.e., suppose that gcd (a, 35) = 1.)
Since 35 = 5 7, it follows that 5 - a nor does 7 - a.
(If 5|a, then gcd (a, 35) 5 and if 7|a, then gcd (a, 35) 7, contrary to our
hypothesis.)
Hence, by Fermats Theorem, we have: a5 a (mod 5) and a7 a (mod 7) , or
equivalently, a4 1 (mod 5) and a6 a (mod 7) .
3

The latter pair of congruences yield: a12 = (a4 ) 13 (mod 5) 1 (mod 5)

2

and: a12 = (a6 ) 12 (mod 7) 1 (mod 7)

i.e., a12 1 (mod 5) and a12 1 (mod 7)
5| (a12 1) and 7| (a12 1) .
Since gcd (5, 7) = 1, it follows that (5 7) | (a12 1)
i.e., a12 1 (mod 35)
Remark 1 Our proof made use of the fact that if a|c and b|c and if gcd (a, b) = 1,
then ab|c.
(b) If gcd (a, 42) = 1, show that 168 = 3 7 8 divides a6 1.
Proof. Let the hypothesis be given (i.e., suppose that gcd (a, 42) = 1.)
Since 42 = 2 3 7, it follows that neither 2, 3, nor 7 divide a.
(If 2|a, then gcd (a, 42) 2, if 3|a, then gcd (a, 42) 3, and if 7|a, then gcd (a, 42)
7, contrary to our hypothesis.)
Hence, by Fermats Theorem, we have: a2 a (mod 2) , a3 a (mod 3) , and a7
a (mod 7) , or equivalently, a 1 (mod 2) , a2 1 (mod 3) , and a6 1 (mod 7) .
The three congruences yield: a6 = 16 (mod 2) 1 (mod 2) ,
3

a6 = (a2 ) 13 (mod 3) 1 (mod 3) ,

and: a6 = 1 (mod 7)
Our concern here is that our proposed divisor 168 has factorization 23 3 7.
Thus, it will probably not be enough for us to have that a6 = 1 (mod 2) . We
will probably need to show that a6 1 (mod 23 ) . (i.e., we will need to show that
a6 1 (mod 8) .)
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To get this result, note that a 1 (mod 2) a 1 0 (mod 2)

a + 1 = (a 1) + 2 2 + 2 (mod 2) 0 (mod 2)
i.e., a + 1 0 (mod 2) also.
Claim: Either (a 1) 0 (mod 4) and (a + 1) 2 (mod 4) OR (a 1)
2 (mod 4) and (a + 1) 0 (mod 4)
To see this, note that since both (a 1) and (a + 1) are even, neither can be
congruent to 1 or 3 modulo 4.
We observe that it is impossible for both (a 1) and (a + 1) to be congruent to 2
modulo 4, for if (a 1) 2 (mod 4) , then (a + 1) = (a 1) + 2 2 + 2 (mod 4)
0 (mod 4) .
A similar argument shows that it is impossible for both (a 1) and (a + 1) to be
congruent to 0 modulo 4.
Claim: (a2 1) 0 (mod 8) .
From the previous claim, we can assume, without loss of generality, that (a 1)
0 (mod 4) and (a + 1) 2 (mod 4) .
Hence, (a2 1) = (a 1) (a + 1)
| {z } | {z }
divis by 4

divis by 2

Therefore, (a2 1) is divisible by 8 and is congruent to 0 modulo 8.

Claim: a6 1 (mod 8)
Observe: a6 1 = (a2 1) (a4 + a2 + 1) 0 (a4 + a2 + 1) (mod 8) 0 (mod 8)
a6 1 (mod 8)
Thus, we finally have the congruences: a6 1 (mod 8) ,
a6 1 (mod 3) ,
and: a6 1 (mod 7)
i.e., a6 1 (mod 2) , a6 1 (mod 3) , and a6 1 (mod 7) .
8| (a6 1) , 3| (a6 1) , and 7| (a6 1) .
Since gcd (3, 7) = gcd (3, 8) = gcd (7, 8) = 1, it follows that (3 7 8) | (a6 1)
i.e., a6 1 (mod 168)

(c) If gcd (a, 133) = gcd (b, 133) = 1, show that 133| (a18 b18 ) .
Proof. Observe: 133 = 7 19
Since gcd (a, 133) = gcd (b, 133) = 1, this implies that 7 - a; 7 - b; 19 - a; and
19 - b.
By Fermats Theorem, we have: a6 1 (mod 7) and b6 1 (mod 7) .
Also: a18 1 (mod 19) and b18 1 (mod 19) .
Since a6 1 (mod 7) and b6 1 (mod 7) , it follows that:
3

(a6 ) 13 (mod 7) and (b6 ) 13 (mod 7) , or equivalently, a18 1 (mod 7) and

b18 1 (mod 7) .
Thus, we have:a18 b18 0 (mod 7) , and a18 b18 0 (mod 19)
Hence, 7| (a18 b18 ) and 19| (a18 b18 )
Since gcd (7, 19) = 1, it follows that (7 19) | (a18 b18 )
i.e., 133| (a18 b18 ) .

3. From Fermats Theorem, deduce that for any integer n 0, 13| (1112n+6 + 1) .
Proof. Since 13 - 11, Fermats Theorem tells us that 1112 1 (mod 13) .
n

(1112 ) 1n (mod 13) 1112n 1 (mod 13)

Hence, (1112n 1) 0 (mod 13) .
When n = 1, we have (1112 1) 0 (mod 13) .
(116 + 1) (116 1) 0 (mod 13)
Since 13 is prime, there are no zero divisors mod 13, and hence:
either (116 + 1) 0 (mod 13) or (116 1) 0 (mod 13)
either 116 1 (mod 13) or 116 1 (mod 13).
Since, given k {2, 3, . . . , p 1} , p 1 is the smallest positive power of k that is
congruent to 1 modulo p, we have:
116 1 (mod 13)
Observe: (1112n 1) 0 (mod 13) (1112n 1) 116 0 116 (mod 13)
(1112n+6 116 ) 0 (mod 13) (1112n+6 (1)) 0 (mod 13)
(1112n+6 + 1) 0 (mod 13)
Hence, 13| (1112n+6 + 1)

4. Derive each of the following congruences:

(a) a21 a (mod 15) a.
Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a5 a (mod 5) for all a
4

(a5 ) a4 (mod 5) a20 a4 (mod 5)

a21 = a20 a a4 a (mod 5) a5 (mod 5) a (mod 5)
i.e., a21 a (mod 5) a.
Next, observe that a3 a (mod 3)
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a21 = (a3 ) a7 (mod 3) a6 a (mod 3) (a3 ) a (mod 3) a2 a (mod 3)

a3 (mod 3) a (mod 3) a 0 (mod 3) a21 021 (mod 3) 0 (mod 3)
a (mod 3)
i.e., a21 a (mod 3) a.
Thus, we have: a21 a 0 (mod 5) and a21 a 0 (mod 3)
5| (a21 a) and 3| (a21 a) .
Since gcd (3, 5) = 0, we have: (5 3) | (a21 a) .
i.e., (a21 a) 0 (mod 15) a21 a (mod 15)
(b) a7 a (mod 42) a
Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a7 a (mod 7) a
2

Also, a3 a (mod 3) (a3 ) a2 (mod 3) a6 a2 (mod 3)

a6 a a2 a (mod 3) a7 a3 (mod 3) a (mod 3)
i.e., a7 a (mod 3) a
3

Finally, a2 a (mod 2) (a2 ) a3 (mod 2) a6 a3 (mod 2)

2

a6 a a3 a (mod 2) a7 a4 (mod 2) (a2 ) (mod 2) a2 (mod 2)

a (mod 2)
i.e., a7 a (mod 2) a
Hence, 2| (a7 a) ; 3| (a7 a) ; and 7| (a7 a) .
Since gcd (2, 3) = gcd (2, 7) = gcd (3, 7) = 1, it follows that (2 3 7) | (a7 a)
i.e., (a7 a) 0 (mod 42) a7 a (mod 42)
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(c) a13 a (mod 3 7 13) a

Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a13 a (mod 13)
a3 a (mod 3)
and a7 a (mod 7)
4

Observe: a3 a (mod 3) a12 = (a3 ) a4 (mod 3) a3 a (mod 3)

a a (mod 3) a2 (mod 3)
i.e., a12 a2 (mod 3)
a13 = a12 a a2 a (mod 3) a3 (mod 3) a (mod 3)
i.e., a13 a (mod 3)
Also, if 7 - a, then a6 1 (mod 7)
Since a7 a (mod 7) , we have a13 = a7 a6 a 1 (mod 7) a (mod 7)
i.e., a13 a (mod 7) if 7 - a
If 7|a, then a 0 (mod 7) a13 013 (mod 7) 0 (mod 7) a (mod 7)
i.e., a13 a (mod 7) if 7|a.
Thus, a13 a (mod 7) a.
Thus, we have: a13 a (mod 3) ; a13 a (mod 7) ; and a13 a (mod 13)
3| (a13 a) ; 7 (a13 a) ; and 13 (a13 a) .
Since 3, 7, 13 are pairwise relatively prime, it follows that (3 7 13) | (a13 a) ,
or equivalently: a13 a (mod 3 7 13)

(d) a9 a (mod 30) a.

Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a2 a (mod 2)
a3 a (mod 3)
and a5 a (mod 5)
4

Observe: a2 a (mod 2) a8 = (a2 ) a4 (mod 2)

2

(a2 ) (mod 2) a2 (mod 2) a (mod 2)

i.e., a8 a (mod 2) .
Thus, a9 = a8 a a a (mod 2) a2 (mod 2) a (mod 2)
i.e., a9 a (mod 2)
3

Also, a3 a (mod 3) a9 = (a3 ) a3 (mod 3) a (mod 3)

i.e., a9 a (mod 3) .
Finally, if 5 - a, then a4 1 (mod 5)
This combined with the fact that a5 a (mod 5) yields:
a9 = a5 a4 a 1 (mod 5) a (mod 5) .
i.e., a9 a (mod 5) if 5 - a.
If 5|a, then a 0 (mod 5) a9 09 (mod 5) 0 (mod 5) a (mod 5)
i.e., If 5|a, then a9 a (mod 5) .
Thus, a9 a (mod 5) a.
So we have: a9 a (mod 2) ; a9 a (mod 3) ; and a9 a (mod 5) , or equivalently:
2| (a9 a) ; 3| (a9 a) ; and 5| (a9 a) .
Since 2, 3, 5 are pairwise relatively prime, it follows that (2 3 5) | (a9 a) .
i.e., a9 a (mod 30) a.

5. If gcd (a, 30) = 1, show that 60 divides a4 + 59

Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a2 a (mod 2)
and a 1 (mod 2) ;
a3 a (mod 3)
and a2 1 (mod 3) ;
a5 a (mod 5)
and a4 1 (mod 5) .
We want to show that a4 + 59 0 (mod 60) .
This is the same as showing that a4 1 0 (mod 60) .
Since a 1 (mod 2) , it follows that a4 14 (mod 2) 1 (mod 2)
i.e., a4 1 (mod 2) , or equivalently, a4 1 0 (mod 2) .
Note that since we wish to prove that a4 1 0 (mod 60) , and that since 60 = 22 3 5,
it will probably not be sucient to show that a4 1 0 (mod 2) . We will probably
need to establish that a4 1 0 (mod 22 ) . (i.e., a4 1 0 (mod 4))
Based on an argument similar to that found in problem 2.b, we note that since a
1 (mod 2) , it follows that a 1 0 (mod 2) .
From this, we also see that a+1 = (a 1)+2 0+2 (mod 2) 2 (mod 2) 0 (mod 2) .
i.e., a + 1 0 (mod 2) .
Thus, 2 is a divisor of both (a 1) and (a + 1) , which, in turn, implies that 4 is a
divisor of (a + 1) (a 1) = a2 1.
4 is a divisor of a4 1, since a4 1 = (a2 1) (a2 + 1) .
Now lets concentrate on modulo 3 and 5.
2

Observe that a2 1 (mod 3) a4 = (a2 ) 12 (mod 3) 1 (mod 3)

i.e., a4 1 (mod 3)
Hence, a4 1 0 (mod 3) or, equivalently, 3| (a4 1)
Also, a4 1 (mod 5) a4 1 0 (mod 5) and hence, 5| (a4 1)
Since 3, 4, 5 are pairwise relatively prime divisors of a4 1, we have:
(3 4 5) | (a4 1) or equivalently, a4 1 0 (mod 60) .
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6. ~
(a) Find the units digit of 3100 by the use of Fermats Theorem.
First, lets recognize that the units digit of 3100 is the same as 3100 (mod 10) .
Next, note that since neither 2 nor 5 divide 3, that by Fermats Theorem:
3 1 (mod 2) , and hence, 3100 1100 (mod 2) 1 (mod 2) .
i.e., 3100 1 (mod 2) .
Hence, 2| (3100 1) .
50

Also: 32 1 (mod 5) , and hence, 3100 = (32 )

(1)50 (mod 5) 1 (mod 5) .

i.e., 3100 1 (mod 5) .

Hence, 5| (3100 1) .
Since 2 and 5 are relatively prime, (2 5) | (3100 1) .
i.e., 3100 1 (mod 10) .
(b) For any integer a, verify that a5 and a have the same digits unit.
Proof. From part 6.a, it suces to show that a5 a (mod 10) .
By Fermats Theorem, a5 a (mod 5) a Z
5| (a5 a)
Also: a2 a (mod 2) a Z
2

a4 = (a2 ) a2 (mod 2) a (mod 2)

i.e., a4 a (mod 2)
a5 = a4 a a a (mod 2) a2 (mod 2) a (mod 2)
i.e., a5 a (mod 2) a Z
2| (a5 a)
Since 2 and 5 are relatively prime, we have:
(2 5) | (a5 a) .
i.e., a5 a (mod 10) a Z

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7. If 7 - a, prove that either a3 + 1 or a3 1 is divisible by 7.

Proof. By Fermats Theorem, a6 1 (mod 7)
(a6 1) 0 (mod 7)
7| (a6 1) .
Since 7 is prime and since (a6 1) = (a3 1) (a3 + 1) , this implies that either:
7| (a3 1) or 7| (a3 + 1) .

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