Solution
We know that 20198≡−1(modp) for some prime p. We want to find the smallest odd possible value of p. By squaring both sides of the congruence, we find 201916≡1(modp).
Since 201916≡1(modp), the order of 2019 modulo p is a positive divisor of 16.
However, if the order of 2019 modulo p is 1,2,4, or 8, then 20198 will be equivalent to 1(modp), which contradicts the given requirement that 20198≡−1(modp).
Therefore, the order of 2019 modulo p is 16. Because all orders modulo p divide ϕ(p), we see that ϕ(p) is a multiple of 16. As p is prime, ϕ(p)=p(1−p1)=p−1. Therefore, p≡1(mod16). The two smallest primes equivalent to 1(mod16) are 17 and 97. Because 16∣p−1, and p−1≥16, each possible value of p must be verified by manual calculation to make sure that p∣20198+1. As 20198≡−1(mod17) and 20198≡−1(mod97), the smallest possible p is thus 097.
Note to solution
ϕ(k) is the Euler Totient Function of integer k. ϕ(k) is the number of positive integers less than k relatively prime to k. Define the numbers k1,k2,k3,⋯,kn to be the prime factors of k. Then, we have
ϕ(k)=k⋅i=1∏n(1−ki1).
A property of the Totient function is that, for any prime p, ϕ(p)=p−1.
Euler's Totient Theorem states that
aϕ(k)≡1(modk)
if gcd(a,k)=1.
Furthermore, the order a modulo n for an integer a relatively prime to n is defined as the smallest positive integer d such that ad≡1(modn). An important property of the order d is that d∣ϕ(n). It's important to remember that the order d≤ϕ(n), and Euler's Totient Theorem does not guarantee equality. That's why in this problem we had to test primes such that d=16∣(p−1), and find the smallest such prime p. ~First
Solution 2 (Basic Modular Arithmetic)
In this solution, k will represent an arbitrary nonnegative integer.
We will show that any potential prime p must be of the form 16k+1 through a proof by contradiction. Suppose that there exists some prime p that can not be expressed in the form 16k+1 that is a divisor of 20198+1. First, note that if the prime p is a divisor of 2019, then 20198 is a multiple of p and 20198+1 is not. Thus, p is not a divisor of 2019.
Because 20198+1 is a multiple of p, 20198+1≡0(modp). This means that 20198≡−1(modp), and by raising both sides to an arbitrary odd positive integer, we have that 201916k+8≡−1(modp).
Then, since the problem requires an odd prime, p can be expressed as 16k+m, where m is an odd integer ranging from 3 to 15, inclusive. By Fermat's Little Theorem, 2019p−1≡1(modp), and plugging in values, we get 201916k+n≡1(modp), where n=m−1 and is thus an even integer ranging from 2 to 14, inclusive.
If n=8, then 201916k+8≡1(modp), which creates a contradiction. If n is not a multiple of 8 but is a multiple of 4, squaring both sides of 201916k+n≡1(modp) also results in the same contradictory equivalence. For all remaining n, raising both sides of 201916k+n≡1(modp) to the 4th power creates the same contradiction. (Note that 32k and 64k can both be expressed in the form 16k.)
Since we have proved that no value of n can work, this means that a prime must be of the form 16k+1 in order to be a factor of 20198+1. The smallest prime of this form is 17, and testing it, we get
20198+1≡138+1≡1694+1≡(−1)4+1≡1+1≡2(mod17),
so it does not work. The next smallest prime of the required form is 97, and testing it, we get
20198+1≡(−18)8+1≡3244+1≡334+1≡10892+1≡222+1≡484+1≡−1+1≡0(mod97),
so it works. Thus, the answer is 097. ~emerald_block
Solution 3 (Official MAA)
Suppose prime p>2 divides 20198+1. Then 20198≡−1(modp). Squaring gives 201916≡1(modp). If 2019m≡1(modp) for some $0 it follows that
2019gcd(m,16)≡1(modp).
But 20198≡−1(modp), so gcd(m,16) cannot divide 8, which is a contradiction. Thus 201916 is the least positive power congruent to 1(modp). By Fermat's Little Theorem, 2019p−1≡1(modp). It follows that p=16k+1 for some positive integer k. The least two primes of this form are 17 and 97. The least odd factor of 20198+1 is not 17 because
2019≡13(mod17)and132≡169≡−1(mod17),
which implies 20198≡1≡−1(mod17). But 2019≡−18(mod97), so
(−18)2=324332=1089222=484≡33(mod97),≡22(mod97),and≡−1(mod97).
Thus the least odd prime factor is 97.
In fact, 20198+1=2⋅97⋅p, where p is the 25-digit prime
1423275002072658812388593.
Solution 4
Let n represent the least odd prime that the question is asking for.
We can see that 20198≡−1(modn).
Squaring both sides we get 201916≡1(modn).
From Fermat's Little Theorem an−1≡1(modn), we know that n−1 has to be a multiple of 16. So we want to test prime numbers that fit this.
The first prime we get is 17 and when we try it in 20198≡−1(modn),
20198≡138(mod17)
1694≡164(mod17)
2562≡1(mod17)
1+1=2
We see that 17 does not work. The next number that works from the application of Fermat's Little Theorem is 97 and when we try that,
20198≡798(mod97)
62414≡334(mod97)
10892≡222(mod97)
484≡−1(mod97)
−1+1=0
Thus our answer is 097. ~pengf
Video Solution
On The Spot STEM:
https://youtu.be/_vHq5_5qCd8
https://youtu.be/IF88iO5keFo
Video Solution by The Power Of Logic
https://youtu.be/hqg5kCz6rnQ