ArticleslgStudy

mathematics

Lucas pseudoprime

Lucas pseudoprime is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Lucas pseudoprime rather than just read about it. In short: Lucas pseudoprimes and Fibonacci pseudoprimes are composite integers that pass certain tests which all primes and very few composite numbers pass: in this case, criteria relative to some Lucas sequence. Baillie-Wagstaff-Lucas pseudoprimes Baillie and Wagstaff define Lucas pseudoprimes as follows: Given integers P and Q, where P > 0 and D = P 2 − 4 Q {\displaystyle D=P^{2}-4Q} , let Uk(P, Q) and Vk(P, Q) be the corre…

Key takeaways

  • Lucas pseudoprime belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Lucas pseudoprime to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Lucas pseudoprime from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

Lucas pseudoprimes and Fibonacci pseudoprimes are composite integers that pass certain tests which all primes and very few composite numbers pass: in this case, criteria relative to some Lucas sequence.

Baillie-Wagstaff-Lucas pseudoprimes Baillie and Wagstaff define Lucas pseudoprimes as follows: Given integers P and Q, where P > 0 and D = P 2 − 4 Q {\displaystyle D=P^{2}-4Q} , let Uk(P, Q) and Vk(P, Q) be the corresponding Lucas sequences. Let n be a positive integer and let ( D n ) {\displaystyle \left({\tfrac {D}{n}}\right)} be the Jacobi symbol. We define

δ ( n ) = n − ( D n ) . {\displaystyle \delta (n)=n-\left({\tfrac {D}{n}}\right).}

If n is a prime that does not divide Q, then the following congruence condition holds:

If this congruence does not hold, then n is not prime. If n is composite, then this congruence usually does not hold. These are the key facts that make Lucas sequences useful in primality testing. The congruence (1) represents one of two congruences defining a Frobenius pseudoprime. Hence, every Frobenius pseudoprime is also a Baillie-Wagstaff-Lucas pseudoprime, but the converse does not always hold. Some good references are chapter 8 of the book by Bressoud and Wagon (with Mathematica code), pages 142–152 of the book by Crandall and Pomerance, and pages 53–74 of the book by Ribenboim.

Lucas probable primes and pseudoprimes A Lucas probable prime for a given (P, Q) pair is any positive integer n for which equation (1) above is true (see, page 1398). A Lucas pseudoprime for a given (P, Q) pair is a positive composite integer n for which equation (1) is true (see, page 1391). A Lucas probable prime test is most useful if D is chosen such that the Jacobi symbol ( D n ) {\displaystyle \left({\tfrac {D}{n}}\right)} is −1 (see pages 1401–1409 of, page 1024 of, or pages 266–269 of ). This is especially important when combining a Lucas test with a strong pseudoprime test, such as the Baillie–PSW primality test. Typically implementations will use a parameter selection method that ensures this condition (e.g. the Selfridge method recommended in and described below). If ( D n ) = − 1 , {\displaystyle \left({\tfrac {D}{n}}\right)=-1,} then equation (1) becomes

If congruence (2) is false, this constitutes a proof that n is composite. If congruence (2) is true, then n is a Lucas probable prime. In this case, either n is prime or it is a Lucas pseudoprime. If congruence (2) is true, then n is likely to be prime (this justifies the term probable prime), but this does not prove that n is prime. As is the case with any other probabilistic primality test, if we perform additional Lucas tests with different D, P and Q, then unless one of the tests proves that n is composite, we gain more confidence that n is prime. Examples: If P = 3, Q = −1, and D = 13, the sequence of U's is (sequence A006190 in the OEIS): U0 = 0, U1 = 1, U2 = 3, U3 = 10, etc. First, let n = 19. The Jacobi symbol ( 13 19 ) {\displaystyle \left({\tfrac {13}{19}}\right)} is −1, so δ(n) = 20, U20 = 6616217487 = 19·348221973 and we have

U 20 = 6616217487 ≡ 0 ( mod 19 ) . {\displaystyle U_{20}=6616217487\equiv 0{\pmod {19}}.}

Therefore, 19 is a Lucas probable prime for this (P, Q) pair. In this case 19 is prime, so it is not a Lucas pseudoprime. For the next example, let n = 119. We have ( 13 119 ) {\displaystyle \left({\tfrac {13}{119}}\right)} = −1, and we can compute

U 120 ≡ 0 ( mod 119 ) . {\displaystyle U_{120}\equiv 0{\pmod {119}}.}

However, 119 = 7·17 is not prime, so 119 is a Lucas pseudoprime for this (P, Q) pair. In fact, 119 is the smallest pseudoprime for P = 3, Q = −1. We will see below that, in order to check equation (2) for a given n, we do not need to compute all of the first n + 1 terms in the U sequence. Let Q = −1, the smallest Lucas pseudoprime to P = 1, 2, 3, ... are

323, 35, 119, 9, 9, 143, 25, 33, 9, 15, 123, 35, 9, 9, 15, 129, 51, 9, 33, 15, 21, 9, 9, 49, 15, 39, 9, 35, 49, 15, 9, 9, 33, 51, 15, 9, 35, 85, 39, 9, 9, 21, 25, 51, 9, 143, 33, 119, 9, 9, 51, 33, 95, 9, 15, 301, 25, 9, 9, 15, 49, 155, 9, 399, 15, 33, 9, 9, 49, 15, 119, 9, ...

… excerpt ends here. Continue reading the full article.

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Lucas pseudoprime

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Lucas pseudoprime claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Lucas pseudoprime before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Lucas pseudoprime ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Lucas pseudoprime

In research
Lucas pseudoprime appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Lucas pseudoprime in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Lucas pseudoprime is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Fibonacci numbers, Pseudoprimes, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Lucas pseudoprime outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
Ask Teacher Smith questions about this articleOpens your AI tutor with a question about “Lucas pseudoprime” →

Affiliate

Preply — study more efficiently by working with a personal tutor. 50% off.

How to study Lucas pseudoprime in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Lucas pseudoprime means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Lucas pseudoprime out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Lucas pseudoprime in simple terms?

Lucas pseudoprimes and Fibonacci pseudoprimes are composite integers that pass certain tests which all primes and very few composite numbers pass: in this case, criteria relative to some Lucas sequence. Baillie-Wagstaff-Lucas pseudoprimes Baillie and Wagstaff define Lucas pseudoprimes as follows: G…

Why does Lucas pseudoprime matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Lucas pseudoprime?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Lucas pseudoprime.

Tags

  • Fibonacci numbers
  • Pseudoprimes

Keep exploring