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I want find out the Smallest positive integer r such that $8^{17} \equiv r \pmod{97}$.

Fermat's theorem only tells us $8^{96} \equiv 1 \pmod{97}.$

How can I proceed. Any hint will be appreciated.

Thank you in advance.

Surojit
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1 Answers1

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We have that $2$ is a quadratic residue $\pmod p$ when $p \equiv \pm 1 \pmod 8$. In this case, $97 \equiv 1 \pmod 8$, ensuring that $2$ is a quadratic residue.

By Euler's Criterion, we have that $8^{16}=2^{48} \equiv 1 \pmod {97}$. Thus, $8^{17} \equiv 8 \pmod {97}$.

S.C.B.
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