# Wilson theorem

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Let be a prime number. Then the number is divisible by . The theorem was first formulated by E. Waring (1770) and is, according to him, due to J. Wilson. It was proved by J.L. Lagrange in 1771. A primality test for integers follows from Wilson's theorem: A natural number will be prime if and only if

This test is not recommended for practical use, since the factorial involved rapidly becomes very large.

#### References

 [1] A.A. Bukhshtab, "Number theory" , Moscow (1966) (In Russian) [2] E. Trost, "Primzahlen" , Birkhäuser (1953) [3] I.M. [I.M. Vinogradov] Winogradow, "Elemente der Zahlentheorie" , R. Oldenbourg (1956) (Translated from Russian)

In fact, also the converse is true (and usually also called Wilson's theorem): Let , with . Then is divisible by if and only if is a prime number.

#### References

 [a1] D. Shanks, "Solved and unsolved problems in number theory" , Chelsea, reprint (1978) [a2] M.R. Schroeder, "Number theory in science and communication" , Springer (1984) pp. 103 [a3] G.H. Hardy, E.M. Wright, "An introduction to the theory of numbers" , Clarendon Press (1960) pp. 68
How to Cite This Entry:
Wilson theorem. Encyclopedia of Mathematics. URL: http://www.encyclopediaofmath.org/index.php?title=Wilson_theorem&oldid=17357
This article was adapted from an original article by N.I. Klimov (originator), which appeared in Encyclopedia of Mathematics - ISBN 1402006098. See original article