Exercise · ZW-LAW-OF-QUADRATIC-RECIPROCITY-002 · ★☆☆ Basic

According to the law, when is \(\left(\frac{p}{q}\right)\left(\frac{q}{p}\right)=-1\)?

Choose one option.

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  • B. When \(p\equiv q\equiv 3\pmod 4\)

Explanation

The product is \(-1\) only when both primes are congruent to 3 modulo 4. If both are congruent to 1 modulo 4, the product equals 1.

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Review the concept: Law of quadratic reciprocity

The law of quadratic reciprocity relates the Legendre symbols \(\left(\frac{p}{q}\right)\) and \(\left(\frac{q}{p}\right)\) for distinct odd primes \(p\) and \(q\).

\[\left(\frac{p}{q}\right)\left(\frac{q}{p}\right)=(-1)^{\frac{(p-1)(q-1)}{4}}\]

More practice problems: law of quadratic reciprocity

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