⎩ ⎨ ⎧ n 3 − 7 n 2 + 3 ≡ ≡ 0 ( m o d n − 4 ) 0 ( m o d n − 4 )
Let n be a positive integer larger than 5, satisfying the polynomial congruence above. What is the value of n ?
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Put x = n − 4
Then, x > 1 and the second congruence becomes ( x + 4 ) 2 + 3 ≡ 0 ( m o d x ) ( expanding ) ⟹ 1 9 ≡ 0 ( m o d x ) ( ∵ x ≡ 0 ( m o d x ) )
It follows that x = 1 9 ⟹ n = 2 3
Note: The first congruence is satisfied for this value of n (this can be seen by substitution).
Your solution skipped too many steps. Eg how did the second congruence become 1 9 ≡ 0 ( m o d x ) ? Why x cannot be 1? It satisfies the second and first congruence. It would be better if you can clarify these!
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Let f ( n ) = n 3 − 7 and g ( n ) = n 2 + 3 .
When we divide these polynomials with n − 4 , the remainder of such polynomial division will equal to f ( 4 ) and g ( 4 ) respectively.
Then f ( 4 ) = 4 3 − 7 = 6 4 − 7 = 5 7 and g ( 4 ) = 4 2 + 3 = 1 9 .
And because of the given congruence, n − 4 ∣ f ( 4 ) = 5 7 and n − 4 ∣ g ( 4 ) = 1 9 .
The only factors that can divide both 5 7 and 1 9 are 1 or 1 9 .
However, since n > 5 , n − 4 = 1 9 .
Therefore, n = 2 3 .
Checking the answers for modulus n − 4 = 2 3 − 4 = 1 9 :
2 3 3 − 7 = 1 2 1 6 0 = 1 9 × 6 4 0 ≡ 0 ( m o d 1 9 )
2 3 2 + 3 = 5 3 2 = 1 9 × 3 2 ≡ 0 ( m o d 1 9 )