discrete_log not working with multiple of base order

asked 2020-11-08 18:26:23 +0200

As title says, discrete_log not working when I put in some multiple of the base order in the order field. Specifically, take this for example:

sage: discrete_log(Mod(57, 91), Mod(8, 91), ord=4)
3

This works fine. Now, when I put in the group order for ord instead of the base order:

sage: discrete_log(Mod(57, 91), Mod(8, 91), ord=72)
ValueError: No discrete log of 57 found to base 8

I suspect that this has to do with the multiplier of that base order having common factors with the base order itself. If I try to use a multiple of the base order with some number relatively prime to the base order:

sage: discrete_log(Mod(57, 91), Mod(8, 91), ord=36)
27

Otherwise it fails:

sage: discrete_log(Mod(57, 91), Mod(8, 91), ord=8)
ValueError: No discrete log of 57 found to base 8

Unrelated note: I cherrypicked the examples to show that:

  • discrete_log only finds some exponent that satisfies, not necessarily the smallest one (and that's okay),
  • It's fine to give ord the base order multiplied with some factor from the group order, as long as that factor is relatively prime to the base order.
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