Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2002 / ib / Paper 3 / 9F / Solution

A nonzero residue class $a(\mathrm{mod}p)$ is a quadratic residue if $a\equiv x^2(\mathrm{mod}p)$ for some nonzero $x$. If it is a square, Fermat's little theorem gives $a^{(p-1)/2}=x^{p-1}\equiv 1$. Conversely, the map $x\mapsto x^2$ on the nonzero classes identifies exactly the pairs $\{x,-x\}$, giving $(p-1)/2$ distinct squares. They are all roots of $X^{(p-1)/2}-1$ over the field ${\mathbb{F}}_p$; a polynomial of this degree has at most that many roots. Its roots are therefore precisely the squares. This proves Euler's criterionApplying it to $-1$ gives $\boxed{(-1/p)=1⟺p\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}4)}$. The exclusion of $a=0$ is the usual nonzero-residue convention needed for this equivalence.

For distinct odd primes $p,q$, quadratic reciprocity statesUsing the multiplicativity of the Legendre symbol, and the supplementary law $(2/p)=(-1{)}^{(p^2-1)/8}$,The first factor is $1$ because $73\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}8)$; the second is $(73/3)=(1/3)=1$ because the reciprocity sign is positive. Thus $\boxed{73\text{ is a quadratic residue modulo }127}$.