What is the remainder of 18! divided by 437?
I'm getting a little confused in the solution. It uses Wilson's theorem
Wilson's Theorem:
If p is prime then (p−1)!≡−1(mod p)
So it first factors 437 into primes. So 437=19⋅23. Then from Wilson's theorem notes that 18!≡−1(mod 19) so we're part way there, but also says 22≡22!(mod 23) by Wilson's theorem (really don't know how they got this from 22!≡−1(mod 23).
Also I'm confused how solving this leads to finding the remainder for 18! divided by 437? I understand getting 18! from 19 but not the 23 part.
Answer
By Wilson's theorem, 18!\equiv-1\mod 19 and 22!\equiv-1\mod 23. Now
22!=22\times21\times20\times19\times18!\equiv(-1)(-2)(-3)(-4)18!\equiv(24)18!\equiv(1)18!=18!\mod 23.
Therefore 18!\equiv-1\mod19 and 18!\equiv-1\mod 23.
By the constant case of the Chinese remainder theorem, therefore,
18! \equiv-1\equiv436\mod 437=19\times23.
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