Inverse Modulo Calculator

Calculate modular additive and multiplicative inverses using the Extended Euclidean Algorithm

Calculate Modular Inverse

The number for which to find the inverse

The modulus (must be positive)

Please enter valid integers for both number and modulus.

Example Calculations

Multiplicative Inverse Example

Problem: Find multiplicative inverse of 3 mod 11

Check: gcd(3, 11) = 1 ✓ (coprime)

Extended Euclidean:

11 = 3 × 3 + 2

3 = 2 × 1 + 1

1 = 3 - 2 × 1 = 3 - (11 - 3 × 3) = 4 × 3 - 11

Answer: 3⁻¹ ≡ 4 (mod 11)

Verification: 3 × 4 = 12 ≡ 1 (mod 11) ✓

Additive Inverse Example

Problem: Find additive inverse of 7 mod 12

Solution: We need x where 7 + x ≡ 0 (mod 12)

Formula: x ≡ -7 (mod 12)

Calculation: -7 + 12 = 5

Answer: Additive inverse is 5

Verification: 7 + 5 = 12 ≡ 0 (mod 12) ✓

Key Properties

1

Multiplicative Inverse

Exists only if gcd(a, m) = 1

a × x ≡ 1 (mod m)

2

Additive Inverse

Always exists for any a and m

a + x ≡ 0 (mod m)

3

Extended Euclidean

Finds gcd and Bézout coefficients

ax + by = gcd(a, b)

Applications

RSA Cryptography

Solving Modular Equations

Chinese Remainder Theorem

Number Theory Problems

Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Quick Tips

Check coprimality first for multiplicative inverse

Additive inverse always exists

Use Extended Euclidean for efficient computation

Result is unique in range [0, m-1]

Understanding Modular Inverses

What are Modular Inverses?

A modular inverse is a number that, when combined with another number using a specific operation, produces the identity element under modular arithmetic. There are two types: additive and multiplicative inverses.

Multiplicative Inverse

  • Finds x where a × x ≡ 1 (mod m)
  • Exists only when gcd(a, m) = 1
  • Essential in RSA cryptography

Extended Euclidean Algorithm

The Extended Euclidean Algorithm not only finds the GCD of two numbers but also finds the coefficients (Bézout coefficients) that satisfy the linear Diophantine equation.

ax + by = gcd(a, b)

If gcd(a, m) = 1, then ax ≡ 1 (mod m)

Additive Inverse

  • Finds x where a + x ≡ 0 (mod m)
  • Always exists: x ≡ -a (mod m)
  • Simple formula: x = ((-a % m) + m) % m

Cryptographic Applications

Modular multiplicative inverses are fundamental in modern cryptography:

  • RSA Encryption: Private key is multiplicative inverse of public exponent
  • Elliptic Curves: Point operations require modular division
  • Digital Signatures: Signing process uses multiplicative inverses

Mathematical Properties

Key Theorems

Bézout's Identity: For integers a, b, there exist integers x, y such that ax + by = gcd(a, b)

Coprimality Condition: Multiplicative inverse of a mod m exists if and only if gcd(a, m) = 1

Uniqueness: If the multiplicative inverse exists, it is unique in the range [0, m-1]