3.7 Clock Arithmetic

3 min readjune 18, 2024

is a fun way to understand numbers that wrap around, like on a clock face. It's all about adding, subtracting, and multiplying within a set range, usually 12 for hours or 7 for days of the week.

This system helps solve real-world problems involving recurring events. By assigning numbers to days or times, we can easily calculate future dates or times for meetings, appointments, or other cyclical activities.

Clock Arithmetic

Clock arithmetic operations

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  • Operates on a system of arithmetic based on numbers appearing on a clock face where they "wrap around" after reaching a certain value called the
  • For a standard 12-hour clock, the modulus is 12 denoted as
  • Addition in clock arithmetic involves adding two numbers as usual and finding the remainder when divided by 12
    • 8 + 7 = 15 in regular arithmetic, but in 12, it is equivalent to 3 (15 ÷ 12 has a remainder of 3)
  • Subtraction in clock arithmetic involves subtracting two numbers as usual and finding the remainder when divided by 12
    • If the result is negative, add 12 to the difference until obtaining a positive value between 0 and 11 inclusive
    • 2 - 5 = -3 in regular arithmetic, but in mod 12, it is equivalent to 9 (-3 + 12 = 9)
  • Multiplication in clock arithmetic involves multiplying two numbers as usual and finding the remainder when divided by 12
    • 4 × 7 = 28 in regular arithmetic, but in mod 12, it is equivalent to 4 (28 ÷ 12 has a remainder of 4)
  • is performed by finding a number that, when multiplied by the divisor, gives the dividend (modulo the modulus)

Modular arithmetic for weekdays

  • Represents days of the week using with () by assigning each day a number from 0 to 6
    • Sunday = 0, Monday = 1, Tuesday = 2, Wednesday = 3, Thursday = 4, Friday = 5, Saturday = 6
  • To find the day of the week a certain number of days from a given day, add the number of days to the numeric value of the given day and calculate the result modulo 7 to find the numeric value of the resulting day
    • If today is Tuesday (2) and you want to know what day it will be 10 days from now, calculate (2 + 10) mod 7 = 12 mod 7 = 5, which corresponds to Friday

Problem-solving with recurring events

  • Determines the appropriate modulus based on the recurring event or schedule
    • mod 7 for weekly events
    • mod 12 for monthly events
  • Uses addition, subtraction, or multiplication in the chosen modulus to calculate the desired result
  • Example: A meeting occurs every 5 days, starting on a Monday. If today is Friday, calculate how many days until the next meeting
    1. Assign numeric values to the days: Monday = 1, Friday = 5
    2. Subtract the numeric value of the starting day from the current day: (5 - 1) mod 7 = 4 mod 7 = 4
    3. Subtract the result from the meeting frequency: (5 - 4) mod 7 = 1 mod 7 = 1
  • The next meeting is 1 day from Friday, which is Saturday

Advanced Modular Arithmetic Concepts

  • : A number that, when multiplied by the original number, results in 1 (modulo the modulus)
  • : The process of raising a number to a power in modular arithmetic, useful in
  • : Relates to modular exponentiation and provides a way to simplify calculations with large exponents
  • : A special case of Euler's theorem, used in primality testing and cryptographic algorithms

Key Terms to Review (22)

: The symbol ≡ represents congruence in modular arithmetic, indicating that two numbers yield the same remainder when divided by a specific modulus. This concept is vital for performing calculations with respect to a fixed number of units, often seen in clock arithmetic, where time wraps around after reaching a certain point. It helps simplify problems by allowing for the comparison of numbers in a modular context rather than their absolute values.
Addition modulo: Addition modulo is a mathematical operation that combines two numbers and reduces the result within a specified range, called the modulus. It is often used in clock arithmetic, where numbers wrap around after reaching a certain value, like the hours on a clock. This concept is essential in various fields, including computer science, cryptography, and number theory, as it provides a way to handle cyclical patterns and ensure results stay within desired limits.
Chinese Remainder Theorem: The Chinese Remainder Theorem is a mathematical principle that provides a way to solve systems of simultaneous congruences with different moduli. It allows for the determination of a unique solution modulo the product of the moduli, as long as the moduli are pairwise coprime. This theorem is especially useful in applications such as cryptography and computer science, where modular arithmetic plays a crucial role.
Clock arithmetic: Clock arithmetic is a mathematical system that deals with numbers in a cyclical manner, similar to how a clock operates. Instead of following the traditional linear number line, clock arithmetic wraps around after reaching a certain value, known as the modulus. This system is essential for understanding concepts like modularity, remainders, and operations such as addition and subtraction within a limited range.
Congruence: Congruence refers to the idea that two shapes or numbers are identical in form, size, or value, even if they are in different positions or orientations. This concept emphasizes the equality of figures and values under certain transformations or modular arithmetic, establishing foundational principles in geometry and number theory.
Cryptography: Cryptography is the practice and study of techniques for securing communication and information from adversaries. It involves the creation of codes and ciphers to protect data confidentiality, integrity, and authenticity. By utilizing mathematical principles, cryptography ensures that sensitive information can only be accessed or understood by authorized parties, making it essential in securing modern communications.
Cyclic group: A cyclic group is a type of group in which every element can be generated by repeatedly applying the group operation to a single element called a generator. This means that all elements of the group can be expressed as powers of this generator. Cyclic groups are fundamental in group theory and can be finite or infinite, depending on whether the generator has a limited number of distinct powers.
Division modulo: Division modulo refers to the operation of finding the remainder when one integer is divided by another, often denoted as 'a mod n'. This concept is crucial in clock arithmetic, where time is represented in a circular manner, such as a 12-hour clock. It simplifies calculations by reducing numbers into a manageable range, making it easier to perform operations like addition and subtraction with respect to cycles.
Euler's theorem: Euler's theorem states that if two integers are coprime, then raising one integer to the power of the Euler's totient function of the other integer yields a result that is congruent to one modulo that integer. This theorem is a significant principle in number theory and has applications in areas like cryptography, particularly in understanding modular arithmetic and the behavior of numbers under exponentiation.
Fermat's Little Theorem: Fermat's Little Theorem states that if 'p' is a prime number and 'a' is an integer not divisible by 'p', then $$a^{(p-1)} \equiv 1 \mod p$$. This means when you raise 'a' to the power of one less than the prime number and divide it by 'p', the remainder will always be 1. This theorem is a fundamental concept in number theory and lays the groundwork for more advanced topics in modular arithmetic, particularly in the context of cryptography and prime number properties.
Inverse modulo: The inverse modulo of a number is another number which, when multiplied together with the original number, results in 1 in the context of modular arithmetic. This concept is crucial in solving equations and performing calculations under a specific modulus, similar to how addition and subtraction work on a clock. Inverse modulo plays a vital role in cryptography and number theory, providing a way to 'undo' multiplication in modular systems.
Mod: The term 'mod' refers to the modulo operation, which determines the remainder when one integer is divided by another. It's a way to express relationships between numbers in a cyclical manner, often useful in various mathematical fields, especially in number theory and applications involving periodic phenomena, like clock arithmetic. The result of the operation is always non-negative and is less than the divisor.
Mod 12: Mod 12, or modulo 12, is a mathematical operation that finds the remainder when one number is divided by 12. This concept is essential in clock arithmetic, where the numbers wrap around after reaching 12, mimicking how time works on a traditional clock. This operation is used to simplify calculations and understand periodic behaviors in various mathematical scenarios.
Mod 7: The term 'mod 7' refers to a mathematical operation that finds the remainder when one number is divided by 7. This concept is widely used in clock arithmetic, where numbers wrap around after reaching a certain value, in this case, 7. It helps in understanding how to perform calculations within a limited range and is essential for solving problems related to cycles and periodicity.
Modular arithmetic: Modular arithmetic is a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers wrap around after reaching a certain value, known as the modulus. This type of arithmetic is used to simplify calculations by focusing on remainders rather than complete values. It's especially useful in various mathematical applications like cryptography, computer science, and number theory.
Modular exponentiation: Modular exponentiation is a mathematical operation that computes the result of raising a base to an exponent and then taking the modulus of that result. This operation is essential in various areas such as cryptography, where it helps in securely encoding and decoding information. It efficiently handles large numbers, making it easier to work with in computational contexts, especially when dealing with limited resources like in clock arithmetic.
Modulo 12: Modulo 12 is a mathematical system where numbers reset after reaching 12, much like the hours on a clock. Calculations are performed by finding the remainder when one number is divided by 12.
Modulo 7: Modulo 7 refers to a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers wrap around after reaching 7. It is a form of modular arithmetic often used in number theory and cryptography.
Modulus: Modulus refers to the operation of finding the remainder after division of one number by another, which is fundamental in understanding cycles and periodic behaviors. This concept is especially relevant in various fields, including computer science and mathematics, as it helps in defining equivalence classes and analyzing patterns. In the context of clock arithmetic, modulus helps to manage the limitations of cyclical time representations, like those on a 12-hour or 24-hour clock.
Multiplication modulo: Multiplication modulo refers to a mathematical operation where the product of two integers is calculated and then reduced by a specified modulus to yield a remainder. This concept is central in areas like clock arithmetic, where numbers wrap around after reaching a certain value, resembling the behavior of time on a clock face. In this context, multiplication modulo allows for the representation of numbers in a cyclic manner, making it useful for various applications in number theory and computer science.
Residue class: A residue class is a set of integers that share the same remainder when divided by a specific positive integer, known as the modulus. This concept forms the basis for modular arithmetic, which simplifies calculations and helps in understanding equivalence relations among numbers. Residue classes enable us to classify integers based on their remainders, creating a system where numbers can be grouped and manipulated in a cyclic manner, much like how hours repeat on a clock.
Subtraction modulo: Subtraction modulo is an operation that finds the difference between two numbers within a specified modulus, effectively wrapping around once the result exceeds the modulus. It is an important concept in modular arithmetic, similar to how time works on a clock, where after reaching a certain hour, it resets to zero. This operation helps maintain the cyclic nature of numbers in modular systems.
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