Exercise · ZW-PRIMITIVE-ROOT-008 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Which of the numbers 1, 2 or 4 is a primitive root modulo \(5\)? Note that \(\varphi(5)=4\).

Choose one option.

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  • D. 2

Explanation

The order of 2 modulo 5 is 4, equal to \(\varphi(5)\), so 2 is a primitive root.

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Review the concept: Primitive root

A primitive root modulo \(n\) is an integer \(g\) whose multiplicative order modulo \(n\) equals \(\varphi(n)\), so that its powers run through all residues coprime to \(n\).

\[\operatorname{ord}_n(g)=\varphi(n)\]

More practice problems: primitive root

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