# Finding Prime Fields of the Ring Z_3 x Z_5

• Apr 5th 2011, 10:24 AM
Finding Prime Fields of the Ring Z_3 x Z_5
I have a ring R = Z_3 x Z_5 and I have to find its two prime fields.

I have tried to find out what these minimal rings could be. However, if the ring must have elements (0,0) and (1,1), then it would also have to have elements a - b according to the subring criterion, which would cause the ring to have (0,0) - (1,1) = (-1,-1) = (2,4). Now also (2,4) - (1,1) would have to be in subring S, so eventually this would make the whole ring R. This leads to the fact that R has no subrings, which makes me confused, since the task is to find two of them.

If I make the assumption that the ring does NOT need to have (1,1) however, then I could get two subrings (which are also prime fields, I think?):
S1 ={ (0,0), (0,1), (0,2), (0,3), (0,4) } and
S2 = { (0,0), (1,0), (2,0) }

Can I assume that the subrings do not have (1,1)?
Are S1 and S2 prime fields of Z_3 x Z_5 ?

If not, then some advice would be more than welcome.
• Apr 5th 2011, 10:47 AM
roninpro
Could you please state your definition of "prime field"? I looked at a few sources and they all use "prime field" with respect to some field. Your ring $\mathbb{Z}_3\times \mathbb{Z}_5$ is not a field, so it is not clear how to approach your problem.
• Apr 5th 2011, 10:59 AM
Definition: a field is a prime field if it has no proper subfields.

I am aware that $\mathbb{Z}_3\times \mathbb{Z}_5$ is not a field, but I suppose there some of its subrings can be fields.
• Apr 5th 2011, 02:28 PM
tonio
Quote:

Definition: a field is a prime field if it has no proper subfields.

I am aware that $\mathbb{Z}_3\times \mathbb{Z}_5$ is not a field, but I suppose there some of its subrings can be fields.

Oh, so that's what you meant....well, then it's easy: both $\mathbb{Z}_3\times \{0\}\,,\,\,\{0\}\times\mathbb{Z}_5$ are

subfields though not subrings if you require that a subring has the same unit as the whole ring.

Tonio
• Apr 6th 2011, 02:59 AM