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Why is $x^2 + 1$ not divisible by $11$ where $x$ is an integer.

nonuser
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Ravi
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2 Answers2

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You can verify by hand that -1=10 is not a square modulo 11: $$ 1^2=1 \\ 2^2=4 \\ 3^2=9 =-2 \\ 4^2=16=5 \\ 5^2=25=3 \\ 6^2=36=3 \\ 7^2=49=5 \\ 8^2=64=9 \\ 9^2=81=4 \\ 10^2=100=1 \\ 11^2=0^2=0 \\ $$ . If there was such an x as described in your question, then its square would be -1 modulo 11.

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It is special case of this theorem:

If $p\equiv 3 \pmod 4$ and $p\mid a^2+b^2$ then $p\mid a$ and $p\mid b$.

In your case: if $11\mid x^2+1$ then $11\mid 1$, a contradiction.

nonuser
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