More fun in 2015, Part 25

x 60 1 ( m o d 2015 ) x^{60}\equiv 1\pmod{2015}

How many integer solutions x x between 0 and 2015 does the above congruency have?

Bonus question : What about x 1000 1 ( m o d 2015 ) ? x^{1000}\equiv 1\pmod{2015}?


The answer is 1440.

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1 solution

Otto Bretscher
Oct 27, 2015

We claim that x 60 1 ( m o d 2015 ) x^{60}\equiv{1}\pmod{2015} iff g c d ( x , 2015 ) = 1 gcd(x,2015)=1 . It follows that the congruency has ϕ ( 2015 ) = 1440 \phi(2015)=\boxed{1440} solutions.

If g c d ( x , 2015 ) = 1 gcd(x,2015)=1 , then x 60 1 x^{60}\equiv 1 modulo 5, 13, and 31, by Fermat's little theorem. Thus x 60 1 ( m o d 2015 ) x^{60}\equiv 1 \pmod{2015} since 2015 = 5 13 31 2015=5*13*31 . (Alternatively, use the Carmichael Lambda λ ( 2015 ) = 60. ) \lambda(2015)=60.)

If x 60 1 ( m o d 2015 ) x^{60}\equiv{1}\pmod{2015} , then x 60 + 2015 m = 1 x^{60}+2015m=1 for some m m , so that g c d ( x , 2015 ) = 1 gcd(x,2015)=1 .

Moderator note:

Good usage of Fermat's Little Theorem on the individual prime (powers). It often results in a lower Carmichael number, due to common factors.

Sir, can you explain how u got the answer as 1440. I'm not so good at number theory. That's y please explain in detail :)

Aditya Kumar - 5 years, 6 months ago

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