Universal Solutions to gcd(n^(pk) - 1, n! - 1) > 1 via Wagstaff-Type Factors)

This paper provides a formal and constructive solution to the open question #511226 posed on MathOverflow regarding the existence of universal solutions to gcd(n^(p*k) - 1, n! - 1) > 1 for every odd prime p >= 5. By defining the Wagstaff-type integer W_p = (2^p + 1)/3, we unconditionally prove that every prime factor q of W_p yields a universal solution given by n = q - 2, satisfying the inequality simultaneously for all integers k >= 1. The proof relies on an elegant combination of a Fermat-type congruence derived from the defining relation q | W_p with a direct application of Wilson's theorem. Immediate corollaries guarantee the existence of at least one solution for all odd primes p >= 5, establishing a precise arithmetic framework for generating explicit solutions, which are further illustrated with numerical examples for p = 5, 7, 11, and 29.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-05-17
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20259679
Primary Topic
Cryptography and Residue Arithmetic
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Universal Solutions to gcd(n^(pk) - 1, n! - 1) > 1 via Wagstaff-Type Factors)

Guido Avagliano
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Cryptography and Residue Arithmetic
article

Universal Solutions to gcd(n^(pk) - 1, n! - 1) > 1 via Wagstaff-Type Factors)

Guido Avagliano
article en

Abstract

This paper provides a formal and constructive solution to the open question #511226 posed on MathOverflow regarding the existence of universal solutions to gcd(n^(p*k) - 1, n! - 1) > 1 for every odd prime p >= 5. By defining the Wagstaff-type integer W_p = (2^p + 1)/3, we unconditionally prove that every prime factor q of W_p yields a universal solution given by n = q - 2, satisfying the inequality simultaneously for all integers k >= 1. The proof relies on an elegant combination of a Fermat-type congruence derived from the defining relation q | W_p with a direct application of Wilson's theorem. Immediate corollaries guarantee the existence of at least one solution for all odd primes p >= 5, establishing a precise arithmetic framework for generating explicit solutions, which are further illustrated with numerical examples for p = 5, 7, 11, and 29.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Reduced inequalities
Openalex Percentile: Top 3%
Cryptography and Residue Arithmetic
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