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The Hilbert basis theorem makes $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n]$ a Noetherian ring. Reversing the inclusion of ideals shows that its Zariski-closed subsets satisfy the descending-chain condition, so every affine variety is a Noetherian topological space.

Suppose some nonempty closed subset had no finite decomposition into irreducible closed subsets. It would be reducible, so it could be writtenwith $V_1,V_2$ proper closed subsets. At least one of these would again admit no finite irreducible decomposition. Repeating that choice would produce an infinite strictly descending chain of closed subsets, contradicting Noetherianity. ThereforeRemoving any member contained in another leaves exactly the irreducible components.

Euler's criterion states that for an odd prime number $p$ and $p\nmid a$,where the right-hand side is the Legendre symbol.

Let $g$ be a primitive root modulo $p$. Its multiplicative order is $p-1$, so $g^{(p-1)/2}\ne 1$. This power has square $g^{p-1}=1$, and the only roots of $X^2-1$ modulo the odd prime $p$ are $\pm 1$. ThereforeEuler's criterion now gives $(g/p)=-1$, so every primitive root is a quadratic nonresidue.

Now let $p=2^{2^k}+1$ be a Fermat prime, with $k\ge 1$. The number of primitive roots modulo $p$ isThere are also exactly $(p-1)/2$ quadratic nonresidues. Since every primitive root is a nonresidue, these equally large sets coincide. Thus every quadratic nonresidue modulo $p$ is a primitive root, as summarized by quadratic nonresidues modulo a Fermat prime.

Finally, $p\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}4)$ and $p\equiv 2(\mathrm{mod}3)$. Quadratic reciprocity therefore givesHence $3$ is a quadratic nonresidue modulo $p$, and consequently