# Multiplicative group of a finite field is cyclic

## Statement

Suppose $F$ is a finite field. Let $F^*$ denote the multiplicative group of $F$. Then, $F^*$ is a cyclic group.

## Related facts

### Other related facts

• For $r > 1$, any generator of the multiplicative group is also a primitive element for the field of $q$ elements as an extension of its prime subfield (of $p$ elements). (A primitive element for a field extension is an element that, when adjoined to the smaller field, generates the larger field). However, not every primitive element is a generator of the multiplicative group. In fact, the number of generators of the multiplicative group could be substantially smaller than the number of primitive elements. For instance, consider the case $p = 5, r = 2$. The multiplicative group has $\varphi(24) = 8$ generators, whereas the field has $p^2 - p = 25 - 5 = 20$ primitive elements.
• Every finite division ring is a field

## Facts used

1. Multiplicative group of a field implies every finite subgroup is cyclic

## Proof

The statement follows directly from fact (1).
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