# Why does $(\frac{p-1}{2}!)^2 = (-1)^{\frac{p+1}{2}}$ mod $p$? [duplicate]

Assume $p$ is prime and $p\ge 3$.

Through experimentation, I can see that it's probably true. Using Wilson's theorem and Fermat's little theorem, it's equivalent to saying $2^2 4^2 6^2 \cdots (p-1)^2 = (-1)^{\frac{p+1}{2}}$ mod $p$, but I can't figure out any more than that.

## marked as duplicate by Grigory M, Claude Leibovici, Davide Giraudo, naslundx, Najib IdrissiMay 2 '14 at 12:41

• In Wilson's theorem $(p-1)(p-2)\dots 3\cdot 2\cdot 1 \equiv -1 \bmod p$, combine terms $k$ and $p-k$ together for $k=1,2,\dots,(p-1)/2$. Note $p-k \equiv -k \bmod p$. – KCd Apr 13 '12 at 4:33
$$(p-1)!=1\cdot2\cdots\frac{p-1}{2}\cdot\frac{p+1}{2}\cdots(p-2)(p-1)$$ We have the congruences \begin{align*} p-1&\equiv -1\pmod p\\ p-2&\equiv -2\pmod p\\ &\vdots\\ \frac{p+1}{2}&\equiv -\frac{p-1}{2}\pmod{p}\end{align*} Rearranging the factors produces
$$(p-1)!\equiv 1\cdot(-1)\cdot2\cdot(-2)\cdots\frac{p-1}{2}\cdot\left(-\frac{p-1}{2}\right)\pmod p.$$ $\therefore (p-1)!\equiv (-1)^{\frac{p-1}{2}}\left(1\cdot2\cdots\frac{p-1}{2}\right)^{2}\pmod p.$ From Wilson's theorem, $(p-1)!\equiv -1\pmod{p}$ Thus $$-1\equiv (-1)^{\frac{p-1}{2}}\left[\left(\frac{p-1}{2}\right)!\right]^{2}\pmod{p}$$ It follows that $\left[\left(\frac{p-1}{2}\right)!\right]^{2}\equiv (-1)^{\frac{p+1}{2}}\pmod{p}$.
• $\LaTeX$ tip: \pmod{p} produces $\pmod{p}$, with appropriate spaces. – Arturo Magidin Apr 16 '12 at 16:34
• @ArturoMagidin: Thanks arturo for the $\LaTeX$ tip – user9413 Apr 16 '12 at 17:23