Exercise · ZW-MULTIPLICATIVE-ORDER-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

What is the definition of the multiplicative order of \( a \) modulo \( n \)?

Choose one option.

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  • A. The smallest positive integer \( k \) such that \( a^k \equiv 1 \pmod{n} \)

Explanation

The order is the smallest positive exponent that takes \( a \) to 1 modulo \( n \). Confusing it with the inverse or with counting units is a typical mistake.

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Review the concept: Multiplicative order

The multiplicative order of \( a \) modulo \( n \), \( \operatorname{ord}_n(a) \), is the smallest positive exponent that returns \( a \) to the unit class modulo \( n \).

\[\operatorname{ord}_n(a)=\min\{k\ge 1: a^k\equiv 1 \pmod{n}\}\]

More practice problems: multiplicative order

ZW-MULTIPLICATIVE-ORDER-002 →