Thread: Number Theory and Systems of Numbers!

HeY ppl! Can any1 help me wit eitha of these 2 questions plzzzzzzzzzz?!?!?! I'm in abit of a pickle! I'm rely rely lost! The question itself is confusing!! ><

1) Prove that a non-zero element in [Z]m is a zero divisor if and only if it is not relatively prime to m.

2) Let Zp[i] denote the ring {a + bi | a,b E [Z]p, i^2=-1}.
a) Show that if p is not prime, then Zp[i] is not an integral domain.
b) Suppose p is prime. Show that every non-zero element of Zp[i] is a unit iff x^2 + y^2 does not equal 0modp for any pairs x,y E [Z]p.

(Its a baby 'm' and 'p' next to the z's... couldn't find how to shrink letters! :S)

Hope all u smart ppl can help me!!!!!!!!!! Urgently!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by carmz

1) Prove that a non-zero element in [Z]m is a zero divisor if and only if it is not relatively prime to m.

If is not relatively prime to then where . Thus, and are non-zero elements and yet is a zero element.

Thanks heaps for replying!!! ... Just a lil confused! How come you can conclude that and are non-zero elements? ...And with the last step, how come you make m=0 when in the question you need to show that a 'non-zero' element in [Z]m is a zero divisor. Sorry bout all the qs! I'm a lil thick n slow when it comes to proofs ><

Originally Posted by carmz

Thanks heaps for replying!!! ... Just a lil confused! How come you can conclude that and are non-zero elements? ...And with the last step, how come you make m=0 when in the question you need to show that a 'non-zero' element in [Z]m is a zero divisor. Sorry bout all the qs! I'm a lil thick n slow when it comes to proofs ><

Remember what zero divisors mean. It means that where are non-zero. Since ot means and but their product is zero.

I would love to know the answer to part 2 of this, if anyone knows please post.