a) Generalize the result in part (a) of Exercise 196; that is, show that if p is a prime, the positive integers less than p , except 1 and p − 1 , can be split into ( p − 3 ) / 2 pairs of integers such that each pair consist of integers that are inverses of each other [Hint: Use the result of Exercise 17.] b) From part (a) conclude that ( p − 1 ) ! ≡ − 1 ( mod p ) whenever p is prime. This result is known as Wilson’s theorem. c) What can we conclude if n is a positive integer such that ( n − 1 ) ! ≠ − 1 ( mod n ) ?
a) Generalize the result in part (a) of Exercise 196; that is, show that if p is a prime, the positive integers less than p , except 1 and p − 1 , can be split into ( p − 3 ) / 2 pairs of integers such that each pair consist of integers that are inverses of each other [Hint: Use the result of Exercise 17.] b) From part (a) conclude that ( p − 1 ) ! ≡ − 1 ( mod p ) whenever p is prime. This result is known as Wilson’s theorem. c) What can we conclude if n is a positive integer such that ( n − 1 ) ! ≠ − 1 ( mod n ) ?
Solution Summary: The author explains that positive integers less than p can be split into (p - 3)/2 pairs such that each pair consists of inverses of each other.
a) Generalize the result in part (a) of Exercise 196; that is, show that if p is a prime, the positive integers less than p, except 1 and
p
−
1
, can be split into
(
p
−
3
)
/
2
pairs of integers such that each pair consist of integers that are inverses of each other [Hint: Use the result of Exercise 17.]
b) From part (a) conclude that
(
p
−
1
)
!
≡
−
1
(
mod
p
)
whenever p is prime. This result is known as Wilson’s theorem.
c) What can we conclude if n is a positive integer such that
(
n
−
1
)
!
≠
−
1
(
mod
n
)
?
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