Exercise · ZW-FERMAT-PRIMALITY-TEST-005 · ★☆☆ Basic

If n is prime and gcd(a, n) = 1, what holds?

Choose one option.

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  • A. \( a^{n-1} \equiv 1 \pmod{n} \)

Explanation

This is the statement of Fermat's little theorem: for prime n and a coprime to n, the power n-1 leaves remainder 1.

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Review the concept: Fermat primality test

The Fermat primality test is a probabilistic criterion for an integer \(n>1\): it declares \(n\) composite if, for some base \(a\) coprime to \(n\), the power \(a^{n-1}\) is not congruent to 1 modulo \(n\).

\[a^{n-1} \equiv 1 \pmod{n}\]

More practice problems: fermat primality test

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