Quadratic reciprocity

Revision as of 17:15, 12 July 2006 by ComplexZeta (talk | contribs) (Quadratic Reciprocity Theorem)

Let $p$ be a prime, and let $a$ be any integer not divisible by $p$. Then we can define the Legendre symbol $\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)={1a is a quadratic residue modulo p,1otherwise.$ (Error compiling LaTeX. Unknown error_msg) We say that $a$ is a quadratic residue modulo $p$ if there exists an integer $n$ so that $n^2\equiv a\pmod p$. We can then define $\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)=0$ if $a$ is divisible by $p$.

Quadratic Reciprocity Theorem

There are three parts. Let $p$ and $q$ be distinct odd primes. The the following hold:

  • $\left(\frac{-1}{p}\right)=(-1)^{(p-1)/4}$.
  • $\left(\frac{2}{p}\right)=(-1)^{(p^2-1)/8}$.
  • $\left(\frac{p}{q}\right)\left(\frac{q}{p}\right)=(-1)^{(p-1)/4\ (q-1)/4}$.

This theorem can help us evaluate Legendre symbols, since the following laws also apply:

  • If $a\equiv b\pmod{p}$, then $\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)=\left(\frac{b}{p}\right)$.
  • $\left(\frac{ab}{p}\right)=\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)\left(\frac{b}{p}\right)$.

There also exist quadratic reciprocity laws in other rings of integers. (I'll put that here later if I remember.)