Theorem (Chinese remainder theorem)
Suppose that m1,…,mk are mutually coprime integers and a1,…,ak are prescribed integers. Then, the system of congruences xx≡a1(modm1)⋮≡ak(modmk)has a unique solution(modM) where M=m1…mk.
Definition (Least common multiple)
Let a,b∈Z. The least common multiple is the smallest positive integer divisible by both a and b. It is commonly denoted as lcm(a,b) or [a,b].
Theorem (Generalized Chinese Remainder Theorem)
Suppose that m1,…,mk are integers and a1,…,ak are prescribed integers. Then, the system of congruences xx≡a1(modm1)⋮≡ak(modmk)has a unique solution(modM) where M is the M=lcm(m1,…,mk)if and only if gcd(mi,mj)∣ai−aj,∀i=j.
Cor
If m1,…,mk are mutually coprime, then Z/mZ≅Z/m1Z⊕⋯⊕Z/mkZand (Z/mZ)∗≅(Z/m1Z)∗⊗⋯⊗(Z/mkZ)∗