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Ireland number theory
Problem
Find all integers for which is divisible by 199.
Solution
Note that , and so Because 199 is a prime number, this expression is divisible by 199 iff one of the factors , or is divisible by 199. Divisibility of by 199 is equivalent to . To solve the quadratic congruence , we observe . Because , the congruence is equivalent to . Again, because 199 is a prime, this has exactly two solutions (mod 199) which are determined by . These two solutions are and . Note now that that , hence and are the solutions of . This shows that is divisible by 199 iff is congruent to 92, 93, 106, 107 or 198 (mod 199).
Final answer
n ≡ 92, 93, 106, 107, 198 (mod 199)
Techniques
Polynomials mod pFactorization techniquesPolynomial operationsQuadratic residues