Exercise · ZW-LEGENDRE-SYMBOL-002 · ★☆☆ Basic

What is the value of \(\left(\frac{-1}{5}\right)\)?

Choose one option.

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  • C. \(1\)

Explanation

Since \(5\equiv 1\pmod 4\), the number \(-1\) is a quadratic residue modulo 5, because \(2^2\equiv -1\pmod 5\).

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Review the concept: Legendre symbol

The Legendre symbol \(\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)\) for an odd prime \(p\) and an integer \(a\) with \(p \nmid a\) equals \(1\) if \(a\) is a quadratic residue modulo \(p\), and \(-1\) if it is not.

\[\left(\frac{a}{p}\right)\equiv a^{(p-1)/2} \pmod{p}\]

More practice problems: legendre symbol

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