Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Exercise (7.2).1

Show that the following integers are quadratic residues of 31:

(a) 35

(b) 71

(c) 56

(d) 94

(e) 47


Let's remind ourselves of Proposition (7.9). 

Let $p$ be an odd prime and $a, b$ be integers such that $p \not \mid a$ and $p \not \mid b$. We have

(a) If $a \equiv b \pmod p$ then $(\frac{a}{p}) = (\frac{b}{p})$. 

(b) $(\frac{a^2}{p})=1$.

(c) $(\frac{a \times b}{p}) = (\frac{a}{p}) \times (\frac{b}{p})$, multiplicative property.


(a) Using Proposition (7.9)(a) and (b) we have

$$ (\frac{35}{31}) = (\frac{4}{31})= (\frac{2^2}{31}) = 1 $$

And so by Definition (7.7) of a Legendre Symbol, 35 is a quadratic residue of 31.


(b) Similarly

$$ (\frac{71}{31}) = (\frac{9}{31}) = (\frac{3^2}{31}) = 1 $$

And so 71 is a quadratic root of 31.


(c) Similarly

$$ (\frac{56}{31}) = (\frac{25}{31}) = (\frac{5^2}{31}) = 1$$

And so 56 is a quadratic residue of 31.


(d) Similarly

$$ (\frac{94}{31}) = (\frac{1}{31}) = (\frac{1^2}{31})= 1$$

And so 94 is a quadratic residue of 31.


(e) Similarly

$$ (\frac{47}{31}) = (\frac{16}{31}) = (\frac{4^2}{31}) = 1$$

And so 47 is a quadratic residue of 31.