[erlang-questions] crypto:mod_exp/3 returns wrong result?

[Hanfei Shen]

Hi all,

As the doc says:

mod_exp(N, P, M) -> Result

Types:
N, P, M, Result = Mpint
Mpint = binary()

This function performs the exponentiation N ^ P mod M, using the crypto
library.

Now, assume: N = -2, P = 3, M = 3
Then: N ^ P mod M = (-2) ^ 3 mod 3
                  = (-8) mod 3
                  = (-3) * 3 + 1
               or = (-3) * 2 + (-2)
So: the remainder should be 1 or -2
(Remainder, From Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Remainder)

But I got a TWO from crypto:mod_exp/3... Is there some wrong...?
And I did more tests with erlang, python and ruby.
The result:

Erlang R14B02 (erts-5.8.3) [source] [64-bit] [smp:2:2] [rq:2]
[async-threads:0] [kernel-poll:false]

Eshell V5.8.3  (abort with ^G)
1> crypto:mod_exp(-2, 3, 3).
2
2> crypto:mod_exp(2, 3, 3).
2
3> crypto:mod_exp(-2, 3, -3).
1
4> crypto:mod_exp(2, 3, -3).
8

Python 2.7.1 (r271:86832, Mar 25 2011, 15:07:46)

In [1]: pow(-2, 3, 3)
Out[1]: 1

In [2]: pow(2, 3, 3)
Out[2]: 2

In [3]: pow(-2, 3, -3)
Out[3]: -2

In [4]: pow(2, 3, -3)
Out[4]: -1

Welcome to IRB. You are using ruby 1.9.2p180 (2011-02-18 revision 30909)
[x86_64-linux]. Have fun ;)
irb(main):001:0> (-2) ** 3 % 3
1
irb(main):002:0> 2 ** 3 % 3
2
irb(main):003:0> (-2) ** 3 % (-3)
-2
irb(main):004:0> 2 ** 3 % (-3)
-1


Regards,
Hanfei
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