# Let F be a finite field with n elements. Prove $x^{n-1}=1$ for all nonzero x in F.

Let F be a finite field with n elements. Prove that $x^{n-1}=1$ for all nonzero x in F.

I'm not understanding where this proof is going. So we have a ring $Z_{7}$, and we know there are 7 elements in $Z_7$ which are $\{0,1,2,3,4,5,6\}$ (a complete system of residues modulo 7), obviously every nonzero element to the power of 6, (from n-1 where n=7) is congruent to 1 modulo 7. However, I'm not understanding what they want me to show. I could show this by induction but I get the feeling that there is an easier way to show this?

-
$F\setminus \{0\}$ is a multiplicative group. Use Lagrange's theorem. – Ragib Zaman May 6 '12 at 7:28
And you can't assume that $F$ is of the form $\Bbb Z_n$. – Brian M. Scott May 6 '12 at 7:29
Just out of curiosity, how would you show it by induction? – Tara B May 6 '12 at 10:06

As noted by Ragib if $F$ is field then $F - \{0\}$ is a multiplicative group of order $n-1$. Therefore the order of any element $x$ in here must be a divisor of $n-1$, viz. if $m$ is the order of $x$, then $m | n-1$. Hence $qm = (n-1)$ for some $q \in \Bbb{N}$. It follows that

$$x^{n-1} = x^{mq} = (x^m)^q = 1^q = 1.$$

Q.E.D.

-

A simple consequence of Lagrange's theorem is that for any finite group $G$:

$g^{|G|} = e$

for all $g\in G$.

In your case you have a multiplicative group of order $n-1$. Using the result we must have that $x^{n-1} = 1$ for all non-zero $x\in F$.

-