Chapter 19: Problem 12
Show that \(-P=(x,-y)\) is in fact the inverse of \(P=(x, y)\) with respect to the addition un an elliptic curve E.
Short Answer
Expert verified
Yes,
-P = (x, -y) is an inverse of P = (x, y) on an elliptic curve.
Step by step solution
01
Understanding Elliptic Curve Addition
Elliptic curves have a special addition rule. The inverse of a point \( P = (x, y) \) on the elliptic curve \( E \) is another point \( -P \) such that the result of their addition is the identity element, usually denoted as the point at infinity \( O \). The addition rule states that for a point \( P \), its inverse is \( -P = (x, -y) \) on the curve.
02
Identity Element in Elliptic Curve
The identity element for addition on an elliptic curve \( E \) is the point at infinity. This point behaves similarly to the number zero in regular addition. For a point \( P \) to have an inverse \( -P \), their sum must equal this identity element: \( P + (-P) = O \).
03
Addition Rule Verification
To verify that \( -P = (x, -y) \) is the inverse, we compute the sum of \( P = (x, y) \) and \( -P = (x, -y) \). According to the elliptic curve's addition rules, when two points have the same x-coordinate but opposite y-coordinates, they sum to the identity element \( O \).
04
Mathematical Validation
When we add \( P = (x, y) \) to \( -P = (x, -y) \), the line through these two points is vertical since they share the same x-coordinate and have opposite y-values. A vertical line intersects the elliptic curve only at these points and at infinity, confirming that their addition results in the identity element \( O \). Thus, \( P + (-P) = O \).
05
Conclusion
From the previous steps, it is confirmed that \( -P = (x, -y) \) is indeed the inverse of \( P = (x, y) \) on the elliptic curve \( E \), as \( P + (-P) = O \) holds true.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Inverse Point
In elliptic curve algebra, each point on the curve has an inverse point. For a given point \(P = (x, y)\), its inverse is denoted by \(-P = (x, -y)\). The inverse is crucial in maintaining the group structure of elliptic curves. When you add a point to its inverse, the result is the identity element of the group, which is a foundational concept in elliptic curve operations. The geometry of elliptic curves emphasizes this property, as the line drawn through the point \((x, y)\) and its inverse \((x, -y)\) is vertical and intersects the curve at the point at infinity.
Identity Element
In the context of elliptic curves, the identity element is akin to the number zero in standard arithmetic. It is often referred to as the 'point at infinity' and is denoted by \(O\). This special point acts as the additive identity in the elliptic curve's group structure. The significance of the identity element lies in its role in the addition operation: adding any point \(P\) on the curve to the identity element \(O\) yields \(P\) itself: \(P + O = P\). Similarly, for a point \(P\) and its inverse \(-P\), their sum is the identity element: \(P + (-P) = O\).
Point Addition
Point addition on elliptic curves is a unique operation defined geometrically. When adding two points \(P = (x_1, y_1)\) and \(Q = (x_2, y_2)\) on an elliptic curve, the result is a third point \(R = (x_3, y_3)\) on the curve. If \(P\) and \(Q\) are distinct, a line is drawn through them, intersecting the curve at a third point. Reflecting this third intersection point across the x-axis gives \(R\). If \(P\) and \(Q\) have identical x-coordinates but opposite y-coordinates, they add up to the identity element, because a vertical line represents them and intersects the curve only at those two points and at the point at infinity.
Elliptic Curve Equation
An elliptic curve is defined by a specific equation of the form \[y^2 = x^3 + ax + b\] where the coefficients \(a\) and \(b\) are constants that determine the shape and properties of the curve. This equation ensures that the curve is smooth and continuous without any cusps or intersections other than those defined explicitly by the equation itself. Elliptic curves are the backbone of many cryptographic protocols, thanks to their complex algebraic structure and the difficulty of solving the Discrete Logarithm Problem on these curves. The properties of elliptic curves, such as having a defined inverse and identity element, make them particularly viable for secure encryption methods.