# Roots and Irreducible polys

• Jul 11th 2007, 08:35 AM
PacManisAlive
Roots and Irreducible polys
Any ideas?
f(x) belongs to F[x] and alpha is root of f(x) is some field extension of F. Show irreducible poly. g(x) belonging to F[x] has property that h(x) belonging to F[x] also has alpha as a root then g(x)/h(x) in F[x].
• Jul 11th 2007, 10:39 AM
ThePerfectHacker
Let $F$ be a field and $E$ be its extension field. Let $\alpha \in E$ be algebraic over $F$ (how do we know it is algebraic?). Next define the evaluation homomorphism:
$\phi_{\alpha} : F[x]\mapsto E$. We know that the $\ker \phi_{\alpha} = \{p(x) \in F[x]| p(\alpha) = 0\}$ is a principal ideal. So $\ker \phi_{\alpha} = \left< q(x) \right>$ for some $q(x) \in F[x]$. This polynomial $q(x)$ must be of minimial degree because otherwise if $q_1(x)$ is smaller degree then we require that $q_1(x) = q(x)\cdot q_2(x)$ for some $q_2(x) \in F[x]$ because the ideal is principal. But that is a contradiction because $\mbox{deg} q_1 (x) < \mbox{ deg} q(x)q_2(x)$. Thus, $q(x)$ is of minimal degree. Next we claim that $q(x)$ is irreducible because if not $q(x) = r(x)s(x)$ and so one of the polynomial has the property that (WLOG) $r(\alpha)=0$ but that cannot be because $r(x)$ has a smaller degree.

So we see that all the polynomial having this zero, i.e. $\ker \phi_{\alpha}$ are generated by an irreducible polynomial $q(x)$. And so if $g(x)\in \ker \phi_{\alpha}$ then $g(x) = q(x)\cdot q_3(x)$ for some $q_3(x)$. This shows that $q(x)$ divides $g(x)$.
• Jul 12th 2007, 07:46 AM
PacManisAlive
Kernel/Ring homomorphisms
In our abstract class we have not yet been taught about kernels and ring homomorphisms so this has to be proved without using these. Thanks
• Jul 12th 2007, 08:16 AM
ThePerfectHacker
Quote:

Originally Posted by PacManisAlive
In our abstract class we have not yet been taught about kernels and ring homomorphisms so this has to be proved without using these. Thanks

1)Okay define $N= \{ f(x) \in F[x] | f(\alpha) = 0\}$.
2)Convince yourself that $N\triangleleft F[x]$.
3)Since $F[x]$ is a PID it follows $N=\left< q(x) \right>$ for some $q(x)\in F[x]$.
4)Use a similar argument as above.

Note, this is basically the same approach except kernels eliminate the need to prove #1 which is a little lengthy but straightforward checking of the field axioms.