Exercise · ZW-FERMAT-S-LITTLE-THEOREM-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

By Fermat's little theorem, what is \(a^{p-1}\) congruent to modulo \(p\) when \(p\) is prime and \(p\nmid a\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • B. \(1\)

Explanation

The theorem states that \(a^{p-1}\equiv 1 \pmod{p}\) when \(p\) is prime and does not divide \(a\). The option saying it is congruent to \(a\) confuses this with \(a^p\equiv a\pmod p\).

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Review the concept: Fermat's little theorem

Fermat's little theorem states that if \(p\) is a prime number and \(a\) is an integer not divisible by \(p\), then \(a^{p-1}\equiv 1 \pmod{p}\). It is a basic tool for simplifying modular powers.

\[a^{p-1}\equiv 1 \pmod{p}, \quad p\nmid a\]

More practice problems: fermat's little theorem

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