Wilson's theorem related problem

Question

prove $$18! \equiv -1 \pmod{437} $$

I do not want full solution to the above problem but if anybody can tell me how we can approach to it, I will really appreciate that.

Answer 1

hints :

• $437=19\cdot 23$ (as proposed by Sean)
• Wilson's theorem :-)
• $19\cdot 20\cdot 21 \cdot 22=(-4)(-3)(-2)(-1)\pmod{23}$

Answer 2

As noted by Sean, $\,427=19\cdot 23\,$, thus using Wilson' theorem twice: $$(1)\,\,\,18!\cdot 19\cdot 20\cdot 21\cdot 22=22!=-1\pmod {23}\Longrightarrow $$ $$\Longrightarrow 18!=\frac{-1}{(-4)(-3)(-2)(-1)}=-\frac{1}{24}=-1\pmod {23} $$ $$(2)\,\,\,\,18!=-1\pmod {19}$$