Exercise · ZW-FERMAT-S-LITTLE-THEOREM-007 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Find the remainder of \(3^{50}\) when divided by \(7\).

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. \(2\)

Explanation

Since \(7\) is prime, \(3^{6}\equiv 1\pmod 7\). Also \(50=6\cdot 8+2\), so \(3^{50}\equiv 3^{2}=9\equiv 2\pmod 7\). The option \(1\) is a typical error from ignoring the remainder of the exponent.

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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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