Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2006/ii/paper-4/11h/b/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2006 ii Paper 4 11H b Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-14
For the plain pseudoprime assertion use the Fermat primality test. In the finite group of units modulo an integer, letIt is the kernel of a group homomorphism, because the unit group is an abelian group. The given witness makes a proper subgroup. By Lagrange's theorem for finite groups, . Thus at least half of all units fail the test. Removing base one removes a passing base, so among the permitted there remain failures out of bases, still at least half.
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