# Thread: Show that the ideal is not prime.

1. ## Show that the ideal is not prime.

Show that the ideal $(2 + \sqrt{2})  \subseteq \mathbb{Z}[ \sqrt{2} ]$ is not prime.

Also, could you explain how to how show that any given ideal is not prime.

2. Originally Posted by joestevens
Show that the ideal $(2 + \sqrt{2}) \subseteq \mathbb{Z}[ \sqrt{2} ]$ is not prime.

Also, could you explain how to how show that any given ideal is not prime.
Recall that an ideal $P$ of a ring $R$ is prime if

* it doesn't equal the whole ring
* If $a,b\in R$ and $ab\in P$, then $a\in P$ or $b\in P$.

Now, consider the following example:

Clearly, $\sqrt{2},1+\sqrt{2}\in\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$

So it follows that $\sqrt{2}\cdot (1+\sqrt{2}) = 2+\sqrt{2}\in (2+\sqrt{2})$, but $\sqrt{2}\notin(2+\sqrt{2})$ and $1+\sqrt{2}\notin(2+\sqrt{2})$. If the ideal was prime, one of the factors $\sqrt{2}$ or $1+\sqrt{2}$ must be contained in the ideal $(2+\sqrt{2})$, but that's not the case here.

Therefore, $(2+\sqrt{2})$ is not a prime ideal in $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$.

Does this make sense?

3. Thanks!! That makes perfect sense