Exercise · ZW-LINEAR-CONGRUENCE-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

Does the congruence \(2x \equiv 1 \pmod{4}\) have a solution?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. No solution

Explanation

Since \(\gcd(2,4)=2\) does not divide 1, the congruence has no solution. The option of two solutions wrongly assumes the greatest common divisor divides b.

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Review the concept: Linear congruence

A linear congruence is a first-degree congruence in one unknown \(x\), with integer coefficients \(a\), \(b\) and modulus \(m\); its solutions are the integers \(x\) that satisfy it.

\[ax \equiv b \pmod{m}\]

More practice problems: linear congruence

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