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Possible Duplicate:
Finding the values of $n$ for which $\mathbb{F}_{5^{n}}$, the finite field with $5^{n}$ elements, contains a non-trivial $93$rd root of unity

For which of the following value of $n$, does the finite field $\Bbb F$, with $5^n$ elements contain a non trivial $93$-rd root of unity?

  1. 92
  2. 30
  3. 15
  4. 6
  • 0
    I totally forgot that this is a dup. Good job spotting that, guys.2012-12-19

1 Answers 1

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The multiplicative group of a finite field $\Bbb F$ with $\mid \Bbb F\mid=q$ is cyclic and so, by the theory of cyclic groups, it contains a unique subgroup of order $d$ for each divisor $d$ of $q-1$. Thus, the question becomes: for which values of $n$ we have that $93$ divides $5^n-1$?

Now:

  • $5^{92}\equiv67^{23}\equiv40\bmod93$,

  • $5^{30}\equiv(5^6)^5\equiv1\bmod93$,

  • $5^{15}\equiv56^3=32\not\equiv1\bmod93$,

  • $5^6\equiv1\bmod93$.

So, of the $n$ listed, the answer is 6 and 30.

  • 1
    What's with the intermediate steps? Why those particular factorisations?2012-12-18