Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-probability-statistics-and-options-i-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2007/c/1/solution
Past exam of the probability, statistics and options I course of the University of Oxford 2007 C 1 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
Euler's theorem states that if , then , where is Euler's totient function. This includes Fermat's little theorem when is prime.
For each prime-power factor , the integer divides the defined least common multiple . Euler's theorem modulo that prime power therefore givesThe prime powers are pairwise coprime, so their product divides . Equivalently the Chinese remainder theorem givesFor the specified composite integer,Raising to the seventh power provesThus 561 is a Carmichael number. We use exactly the source's definition of as the least common multiple of prime-power totients; its validity here does not require replacing it by a smaller exponent at powers of two.
New to topics? Read the docs here!