# Why are some x-coordinates unsuitable for an ECDSA generator point?

For Bitcoin's ECDSA curve (secp256k1, where $a=0$, $b=7$), why can't the generator point's first coordinate be $x=0$? That is, the point on the curve would be $(0,y)$ where $y$ satisfies $y^2 = 0^3 + 7=7$.

Are there any elements other than $0$ which can't be used as a generator point's $x$ coordinate?

• That point doesn't exist. For the prime modulus used by secp256k1, 7 is a quadratic non-residue, meaning y^2 = 7 has no solution. – user13741 Jan 19 '15 at 6:09
• For an elliptic curve, about half the x values have two associated points, the other half of the x values has none (they correspond to the twist of the curve). – CodesInChaos Jan 19 '15 at 9:31
• @user13741 The point certaily exists, but it is not on the curve. ;) – fkraiem Dec 17 '15 at 7:52

Here is a plot of secp256k1 over the reals. That I'll use for illustration purposes.

What happens at $x=-3$, well, we get $y^2 = (-3)^3+7$ which reduces to $y^2=-20$. Solving for $y$ we get $y=\sqrt{-20}$, which is not in the reals, so, we cannot have a point on that curve for $x=-3$.

This is what is happening. In the case of the real secp256k1 used in bitcoin, we are using a finite field instead of the reals. In the reals, the equation $y^2=x^3+7$ is not defined for the entire domain. Similarly, over the finite field, the equation is not defined over the entire field.

In other words, in order for there to be a point (actually 2 points) on the curve at $x$, we must be able to take the square root of $x^3+7$ in the field. As to the number of valid $x$ values, see this question on Math.SE.

The point simply is not on the curve!

Update:

The curve secp256k1 has no point such that the x-coordinate is 0. There is no integer which its square is 7 modulo FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFE FFFFFC2F.

I hope this helps to understand why there is no such a point.

• Need more explanation in your answer for me to give it a +1. – mikeazo Jan 20 '15 at 15:49
• @mikeazo My answer is updated. – Nayef Feb 4 '15 at 8:05