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Suppose that $p > 3$ is prime, and suppose that $r$ is a primitive root mod $p$. Prove that if $p ≡ 1$ mod $3$ then $r$ is a cubic non-residue mod $p$.


I have tried to manipulate the Euler Criterion and Legendre symbols, but I cannot get to a point where I can introduce the primitive root $r$.

M Paul
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HINT: If $p\equiv1\pmod{3}$ then $(\Bbb{Z}/p\Bbb{Z})^{\times}$ is cyclic of order $p-1$, which is a multiple of $3$.

Servaes
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On a finite abelian group of order $n$, the map $x \mapsto x^3$ is a homomorphism; it is a bijection iff $\gcd(3,n)=1$. This is proved easily by considering the kernel. Since $3$ is prime, $\gcd(3,n)=1$ iff $n \not \equiv 0 \bmod 3$.

In our case, $n=p-1$. If $p \equiv 1 \bmod 3$, then $\gcd(3,n)=3 > 1$ and the map $x \mapsto x^3$ is not surjective. Therefore, $r$ is not in the image.

lhf
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  • Adapted from https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/2225412/show-x-mod-p-is-a-cubic-residue-iff-xp-1-3-equiv-1-mod-p. – lhf May 04 '17 at 19:09