Difference between revisions of "Wilson's Theorem"
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== Proof == | == Proof == | ||
| − | Wilson's theorem is easily verifiable for 2 and 3, so let's consider <math>p>3</math>. If | + | Wilson's theorem is easily verifiable for 2 and 3, so let's consider <math>p>3</math>. If p is composite, then its positive factors are among |
<math>1, 2, 3, \dots, p-1</math> | <math>1, 2, 3, \dots, p-1</math> | ||
| − | Hence, <math>gcd((p-1)!,p) > 1</math>, so <math>(p-1)! \neq -1 \pmod{p}</math>. | + | Hence, <math>gcd((p-1)!, p) > 1</math>, so <math>(p-1)! \neq -1 \pmod{p}</math>. |
However if <math>p</math> is prime, then each of the above integers are relatively prime to <math>p</math>. So for each of these integers <math>a</math> there is another <math>b</math> such that <math>ab \equiv 1 \pmod{p}</math>. It is important to note that this <math>b</math> is unique modulo <math>p</math>, and that since <math>p</math> is prime, <math>a = b</math> if and only if <math>a</math> is <math>1</math> or <math>p-1</math>. Now if we omit <math>1</math> and <math>p-1</math>, then the others can be grouped into pairs whose product is congruent to one, | However if <math>p</math> is prime, then each of the above integers are relatively prime to <math>p</math>. So for each of these integers <math>a</math> there is another <math>b</math> such that <math>ab \equiv 1 \pmod{p}</math>. It is important to note that this <math>b</math> is unique modulo <math>p</math>, and that since <math>p</math> is prime, <math>a = b</math> if and only if <math>a</math> is <math>1</math> or <math>p-1</math>. Now if we omit <math>1</math> and <math>p-1</math>, then the others can be grouped into pairs whose product is congruent to one, | ||
<math>2*3*4*\dots*(p-2) \equiv 1\pmod{p}</math> | <math>2*3*4*\dots*(p-2) \equiv 1\pmod{p}</math> | ||
Finally, multiply this equality by p-1 to complete the proof. | Finally, multiply this equality by p-1 to complete the proof. | ||
Insert non-formatted text here | Insert non-formatted text here | ||
Revision as of 15:19, 17 June 2006
Statement
If and only if p is a prime, then 
is a multiple of p. Written more mathematically,
Proof
Wilson's theorem is easily verifiable for 2 and 3, so let's consider 
. If p is composite, then its positive factors are among
Hence, 
, so 
.
However ifis prime, then each of the above integers are relatively prime to
there is another
such that
. It is important to note that this
if and only if
or
. Now if we omit
is prime, then each of the above integers are relatively prime to 
there is another 
such that 
. It is important to note that this 
if and only if 
or 
. Now if we omit 
Finally, multiply this equality by p-1 to complete the proof.
Insert non-formatted text here
