Fermat's little theorem proof?

In summary, the proof shows that if gcd (a, p) = 1, then ap-1 ≡ 1 (mod p). This is proven by considering a set of numbers 1a, 2a, 3a, ..., (p - 1)a and taking mod p. This set will have every possible remainder mod p (apart from 0) exactly once, and by multiplying them together, their remainder will be the same as the set 1, 2, 3, ..., p - 1. Therefore, ap-1 ≡ 1 (mod p).
  • #1
Cheesycheese213
55
8
So I was taught that
If gcd (a, p) = 1, then ap-1 ≡ 1 (mod p)
And then the proof was
Lemma:
Let p be prime, Let i, j ,k = Integers
If gcd (k, p) = 1 and ik ≡ jk (mod p)
then i ≡ j (mod p)
Main Proof:
Consider 1a, 2a, 3a, ..., (p - 1)a
Taking mod p is some arrangement of 1, 2, 3, ..., p - 1
Then (p - 1)! ap-1 ≡ (p - 1)! mod p
Therefore, ap-1 ≡ 1

But I couldn't really understand the part going from the 1, 2, 3, ..., p - 1 to the next step. Where and how did they get that equation?

Thanks!

P.S. Looking online, people did the proof a different way, but then the last line before the therefore is the same?
 
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  • #2
Whatever a is, your set of 1a, 2a, 3a, ..., (p - 1)a will have every possible remainder mod p (apart from 0) in it exactly once. It shares this property with the set 1, 2, 3, ..., p - 1. If you multiply all together their remainder has to be the same.

As an example: With p=5 and a=3 you get (3,6,9,12) -> (3,1,4,2) mod 5, multiply everything and (5 - 1)! 35-1 ≡ (5-1)! mod 5.
 
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Related to Fermat's little theorem proof?

1. What is Fermat's little theorem?

Fermat's little theorem is a fundamental theorem in number theory, named after the French mathematician Pierre de Fermat. It states that if p is a prime number, then for any integer a, the number a^p - a is an integer multiple of p.

2. What is the proof of Fermat's little theorem?

The proof of Fermat's little theorem is based on modular arithmetic and uses the fact that for any integer a and prime number p, a^p - a is congruent to 0 (mod p). This means that a^p - a is divisible by p, which is the essence of the theorem.

3. Can Fermat's little theorem be extended to composite numbers?

No, Fermat's little theorem only holds for prime numbers. For composite numbers, there are similar theorems such as Euler's theorem and Carmichael's theorem, but they have additional conditions and are not as straightforward as Fermat's little theorem.

4. What are the applications of Fermat's little theorem?

Fermat's little theorem has applications in cryptography, particularly in the field of public-key cryptography. It is also used in primality tests and in the construction of pseudorandom number generators.

5. Is Fermat's little theorem still relevant in modern mathematics?

Yes, Fermat's little theorem is still relevant in modern mathematics and is frequently used in various fields such as number theory, abstract algebra, and computer science. It is one of the foundational theorems in number theory and has many important applications.

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