Definition:Set of Residue Classes/Least Positive

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Definition

Let $\eqclass a m$ be the residue class of $a$ (modulo $m$).

Let $r$ be the smallest non-negative integer in $\eqclass a m$.


Then from Integer is Congruent to Integer less than Modulus:

$0 \le r < m$

and:

$a \equiv r \pmod m$


Then $r$ is called the least positive residue of $a \pmod m$.


Also known as

Some sources call this the common residue.

Others call it the least non-negative residue.

Some sources use the term the residue, and do classify other elements of $\eqclass a m$ as residues.


Also see


Sources