Assuming N has a primitive root, show that there are infinitely many primes which are primitive roots modulo N.
It is obviously true using Dirichlet's theorem on primes, but I want to prove without this. There is a given hint:
Try to mimic the proof of that there are infinitely many primes of the form 3n−1, 4n+3 or 5n±2.
This proof basically is as follows:
- If N=q1⋯qs is, say, congruent to 3 modulo 4, then one of qi should be congruent to 3 modulo 4.
- List all such primes p1,⋯,pr, and let N=αp1⋯pr+C for some α and C so that N cannot be divided by any of pi but it must has a prime factor of the given form, leading to a contradiction.
I tried to, but failed to show both steps:
Can I derive that if M=q1⋯qs is a primitive root modulo N then one of qi is also a primitive root modulo N?- Counterexample by Robert: 2 and 6 are not primitive roots mod 7, but 2⋅6=12 is.
What if qi's are primes?- Counterexample by Annyeong: 52=2\cdot 2\cdot 13\equiv 3 \pmod 7 is a primitive root but 2 and 13\equiv 6 are not modulo 7.
- Any other method to get the similar proof? I think N should be sort of a polynomial of p_1\cdots p_r, as in the proof for 2kp+1-primes
- How to choose \alpha and C above?
- We cannot prove that there are infinitely many primes congruent to a specific primitive root in this way, by Murty. (See the comment below by Vincent.)
Any helps and hints are welcome!
Update: Professor has retracted this problem from the homework.
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