An integer g that is relatively prime to a given integer n and such that the least power to which g can be raised to yield unity modulo n is the totient of n.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Peter Barlow (1776–1862), mathematician and physicist.
Definition of primitive root in US English:
primitive root
noun
Mathematics
An integer g that is relatively prime to a given integer n and such that the least power to which g can be raised to yield unity modulo n is the totient of n.
Origin
Early 19th century; earliest use found in Peter Barlow (1776–1862), mathematician and physicist.