Thread: gaussian integers/integral domains

I am having some trouble with these problems:

1. Find all solutions of (x^2) - x + 2 = 0 over Z_3[i], where Z_3[i] =
{a + bi, where a, b are an element of Z_3} = {0, 1, 2, i, 1 + i, 2 + i, 2i, 1 + 2i, 2 + 2i}, where i^2 = -1 (the ring of Gaussian integers modulo 3).

2. Find all units and zero divisors of Z_3 "direct sum" Z_6.

3. Let F be a finite field with n elements. Prove that x^(n-1) = 1 for all nonzero x in F.

4. Is Z_2[i] a field? Is it an integral domain? Note that Z_2[i] = {a + bi, where a, b are an element of Z_2} = {0, 1, i, 1 + i}, where i^2 = -1 (the ring of gaussian integers modulo 2).

For #4, I'm fairly certain it's not an integral domain since (1 + i)(1 + i) = 2i = 0 in mod 2, making (1+i) a zero divisor. I'm not sure how to show if it is a field or not though.

Thanks guys.

Originally Posted by eigenvector11

1. Find all solutions of (x^2) - x + 2 = 0 over Z_3[i], where Z_3[i] =
{a + bi, where a, b are an element of Z_3} = {0, 1, 2, i, 1 + i, 2 + i, 2i, 1 + 2i, 2 + 2i}, where i^2 = -1 (the ring of Gaussian integers modulo 3).

Any element can be written as where are the equivalence classes mod 3. There are 9 such possibilities just check each one.

2. Find all units and zero divisors of Z_3 "direct sum" Z_6.

A unit in this ring is such that . Thus the pair is invertible if and only if are invertible. Use this to complete the problem.

For zero divisors note that if but are in a field and they are no zero divisors hence . But are in so are zero divisors.

3. Let F be a finite field with n elements. Prove that x^(n-1) = 1 for all nonzero x in F.

The multiplicative set of F of non-zero elements forms a group under multiplication. Since it has n-1 elements it means x^(n-1) = 1 (property of groups).

4. Is Z_2[i] a field? Is it an integral domain? Note that Z_2[i] = {a + bi, where a, b are an element of Z_2} = {0, 1, i, 1 + i}, where i^2 = -1 (the ring of gaussian integers modulo 2).

Just check the defitions.