1

I stuck with the following question:

For which $p$ (prime numbers) there is a solution for the following congruence:

$x^4 \equiv -4 \pmod p$

I would greatly appreciate any help

MS93
  • 89

1 Answers1

2

$$x^4+4=(x^2+2)^2-(2x)^2=(x^2+2x+2)(x^2-2x+2)$$

If $p$ divides both $(x^2+2x+2),(x^2-2x+2);$

$p$ must divide $(x^2+2x+2)-(x^2-2x+2)=4x$

If $p$ divides $4,p=2$

Else if $p|x\implies p$ must divide $-4\implies p=2$

So, for odd prime $p,$ it must divide exactly one of $x^2\pm2x+2=(x\pm1)^2+1$

So, we need $(x\pm1)^2\equiv-1\pmod p$

See $-1$ is a quadratic residue modulo $p$ if and only if $p\equiv 1\pmod{4}$