Math 504, Fall 2013

HW 3
1. Let F = F2 ( x ) be the field of rational functions
over the field of order 2. Show that

the extension K = F (x1/6 ) of F is equal to F ( x, x1/3 ). Show that F ( x1/3 ) is separable

over F. Show that F ( x ) is purely inseparable over F.

Wefirst show that F ( x1/6 ) = F ( x, x1/3 ). Note that ( x1/6 )3 = x and ( x1/6 )2 = x1/3 , so
F ( x, x1/3 ) F ( x1/6 ). Since F ( x, x1/3 ) contains x1/3 andis a field, it contains x 1/3 .
x1/2 x 1/3
= x1/6 , so x1/6 F ( x, x1/3 ) so F ( x1/6 ) F ( x, x1/3 ). We conclude that
F ( x1/6 ) = F ( x, x1/3 ).
We know that an extension is separable if every generator is, therefore it suffices to
show that the minimal polynomial of x1/3 is separable. Note that the minimal polynomial of x1/3 over F is f (y) = y3 x. This has f 0 (y) = 3y2 = y2 6= 0. Because f 0 6= 0 f is
separable. Because F ( x1/3 ) is generated by separable elements it is a separable extension.
The minimal polynomial of x1/2 over F is f (y) = y2 x. Then f 0 (y) = 2y = 0 so
x1/2 is not separable. Because it is a polynomial of degree two this implies that f has only
one root. Furthermore, because ( x1/2 )2 = x F ( x ), we can reduce any polynomial of
larger degree to a polynomial of degree 1 or 2, so no non-linear polynomial will split into
a product of linear factors in F ( x1/2 ) so F ( x1/2 ) is purely inseparable.

C OMMENTS : If one wants to be very precise, its worth to point out that although for
every element of F theres only one square root, there are three sixth roots of x, and three
cube roots of x. Hence, if we denote by x1/6 a sixth root of x, then ( x1/6 )2 is one of the cube
roots of x. Therefore if we want the inclusion F ( x1/3 ) F ( x1/6 ) we need a compatible
choice of roots of x.
2. Find the degree of the splitting field over Q for the following polynomials: x4
1, x4 + 1, x4 + 2, x4 + 4.
Let L denote the splitting field of the given polynomial f ( x ) Q[ x ].
1. f ( x ) = x4 1 = ( x 1)( x + 1)( x2 + 1) = 1 ( x )2 ( x )4 ( x ). This polynomial
already has two of its roots in Q, the only ones remaining are the roots from the
irreducible (rational roots) quadratic x2 + 1. Actually we know the splitting field of
this is the fourth roots of unity i, 1. The extension L = Q(i ) is thus of degree
two.

2. f ( x ) = x4 + 1. Using complex arithmetic, we find the roots of f ( x ) are

{ei/4 , e3i/4 , e5i/4 , e7i/4 },

and by Eulers formula, the roots turn out to be { 1 i 1 }. The field Q(ei/4 )
2

L,since powers of ei/4 generate the other three roots of x4 + 1, and we

also have
i/4
i, 2 L by adding and subtracting the roots. But Q(e
) = Q(i, 2) since
i
1
i/4
i/4
2
i/4
3

). But then we may

(e
) = i and (e
) = 2 + 2 imply i, 2 Q(e

conclude Q(
i, 2)
L by minimality
since
i,
2

L.
Now
since
[
Q
(
i,
2) :

Q] =
[Q(i, 2) : Q( 2)][Q( 2) : Q] and since Q( 2) is contained in R but
Q(i, 2) is not, we conclude that both the extensions have degree 2 and therefore
[Q(i, 2) : Q] = 4. It follows that [ L : Q] = 4.
3. f ( x ) = x4 + 2. First, this polynomial is irreducible by Eisensteinat p = 2. Again
1
by Eulers formula, the roots are
(1 i ). Clearly L Q(i, 4 2), whence [ L :
4
2

Q] 8 because [Q( 4 2) : Q] = 4 and this field is real, so [Q(i, 4 2

) : Q] = 8 (see
4
1
problem 4 for more details). But since
2) L (since
4 (1 i ) L, we have Q(
2

4
(23/4 )3 = 4 2), thus [ L : Q] > 4, since L contains a purely real quartic extension.
By the tower property, we must divide 8, and thus we have [ L : Q] = 8, as desired.
4. We note that f ( x ) = x4 + 4 factors over Q, since x4 + 4 = ( x2 + 2x + 2)( x2 2x + 2),
and by the quadratic formula, the roots are 1 i, so [ L : Q] = 2.


3. Find the degree of the splitting field for x6 + 1 over Q and F2 .

Over Q:
Let = ei/6 . Then the roots of x6 + 1 are obviously i, , 5 , so the splitting
field of x6 + 1 over Q is Q(i, , 5 ) = Q(i, ).
In Cartesian form, we have:

3+i
=
2

Consequently,
i ) = Q(i, 3).
Q(i, ) = Q(i, 2
Now, [Q( 3) : Q] = 2 because 3 is not rational
and has minimal polynomial x2 3

(irreducible by Eisenstein).
Furthermore,
Q( 3) is
a real extension
of Q, so it does not

2
contain
i. Thus, [Q( 3, i ) : Q( 3)] > 1, and
[Q( 3, i )Q( 3)] 2 because x + 1
Q( 3)[ x ] is satisfied by i, so [Q( 3, i ) : Q( 3)] = 2. Finally, [Q(i, ) : Q] = 4 by
multiplicativity of degrees.
Over F2 :
First, note that x6 + 1 = ( x3 + 1)2 , so it is sufficient to find a splitting field for x3 + 1.
Furthermore, x3 + 1 = ( x + 1)( x2 x + 1). The polynomial x2 x + 1 is irreducible over

F2 , because 02 0 + 1 = 12 1 + 1 = 1 6= 0, which shows it has no roots in F2 . Let be a

root of x2 + x + 1 in some field extension of F2 . Compute that:

( + 1)2 ( + 1) + 1 = 2 + 1 1 + 1 = 2 + 1 = 0
Thus, its clear that:

x 6 + 1 = ( x 1)2 ( x )2 ( x 1)2

so a splitting field for x6 + 1 is F2 [], which has degree 2.



4. Show that the extension of Q generated by a root of x4 2 is not normal. Deduce

that a normal extension of a normal extension need not be normal.
First, note that:
x4 2 = ( x2 +

2)( x2

4
4
4
4
2) = ( x + i 2)( x i 2)( x + 2)( x 2)

Next, note that:

4
4
4
4
4
K = Q( 2, i 2) = Q( 2, i 2) = Q( 2, i )
K is clearly the splitting field of x4 2 over Q, because it is generatedby the
four roots
of

4
4
4
4
x
2. The equalities in the display obviously hold because i Q( 2, i 2) and i 2

4
Q( 2, i ).

Now, clearly [Q( 4 2) : Q] = 4, because 4 2 is a root of x4 2, which is

irreducible
by Eisenstein
(p = 2). Furthermore, this is a purely real extension, so i
/ Q( 4
2). Thus,

4
2
[K : Q( 2)] > 1 because we need to adjoin i, and i satisfies x + 1, so [K : Q( 4 2)] = 2
and [K : Q] = 8.
If is a root of x4 2, then [Q() : Q] = 4 because x4 2 is irreducible, so Q() 6= K.
Thus, we conclude
normal.
that a normal extension of a normal extension need not be
2
The extensionQ( 2)/Q
of x 2. Fur is certainly normal, because it is the splitting field

4
2 2. However,
thermore,
Q
(
2
)
/Q
(
2
)
is
normal,
because
it
is
the
splitting
field
of
x

Q( 4 2)/Q is not normal by the proof above.



5. If a field of characteristic p has n distinct nth roots of unity show that p does not
divide n.
Suppose that k is a field of characteristic p that has n distinct n-th roots of unity. Then, the
polynomial f ( x ) = x n 1 has n distinct roots, hence f ( x ) has no repeated roots, meaning
that f 0 ( x ) 6= 0. So,
f 0 ( x ) = nx n1 6= 0
If p did divide n, we would have n = 0 and f 0 ( x ) = 0, contradicting the above. Hence, p
does not divide n.

3

6. Let K be a perfect field, and G be the group of all automorphisms of K. Show that
the invarient subfield K G is perfect.
We can assume char K = p > 0, otherwise its trivial. Since K is perfect, every element of
K is a pth power, so the Frobenius endomorphism
Frob p : x 7 x p
is surjective on K, so it is an automorphism.
Then K G is pointwise fixed by Frob p , so for any y K G , y p = y so y is a pth power.
Thus K G is perfect. Its worth to observe that K G consists of the roots of x p x, hence it
coincides with the prime subfield F p .

7. Let x be trancendental over a field k. Show that k ( x ) is a degree 6 extension of k ( x )G
where G is the group generated by the automorphisms x x 1 and x 1 x. Show
that ( x2 x + 1)3 /( x2 x )2 is in k ( x )G . and use that to compute the minimal polynomial
of x over k ( x )G .
Let : x 7 1/x and : x 7 1 x be the automorphisms of k ( x ) that generate G. Let
z=

( x 2 x +1)3
( x 2 x )2

k( x ). We have
( x 2 x 1 + 1 )3
( x 2 + x 1 )2
(1 x + x 2 )3 x 6

=
( x + x2 )2 x 6
=z

(z) =

and

(z) =

( x (1 x ) + 1)3
x 2 (1 x )2

= z.
Therefore z is fixed under the action of G, so z k ( x )G . Now consider the degree 6
polynomial in k ( x )G [t] given by
p(t) = (t2 t + 1)3 + (t2 t)2 z.
Clearly p( x ) = 0, so [k ( x ) : k ( x )G ] 6.
On the other hand, the orbit of x under G has at least 6 distinct elements (we actually
have that G is isomorphic to S3 but this will not be needed in the proof). In particular,
x =
x =

1
,
x

x
,
x1

x = 1 x,
x =
4

x1
,
x

x =

1
1x

idG x = x.

Now suppose q(t) k ( x )G [t] is an irreducible polynomial satisfying q( x ) = 0, in k ( x ).

Then for any G we must have that (q( x )) = q(( x )) = 0. Therefore q has at least
6 roots in k ( x ) which means the degree of q is at least 6. Therefore the polynomial p(t) is
the miminal polynomial of x over k( x )G and in particular [k( x ) : k ( x )G ] = 6.


8. Show that Q( 2, 21/3 ) = Q( 2 + 21/3 ).

3
3
We would like
to
show
that
the
fields
Q
(
2,
2
)
and
Q
(
2
+
2) are equal. First

3
6
to Q( 2). The
former is contained
in the
because
note
Q( 2, 2) is equal
that

latter

6
3
6
3
6
3
3
2
2
7/6
2 = ( 2) and 2 = ( 2) . But also ( 2) 2 = 2 , so 2 is in Q( 2, 2) and the
fields are equal. Since x6 2 is irreducible by Eisensteins criterion, Q( 6 2) is a degree 6
extension of Q.

3
Its immediate
that
Q
(
2
+
2
)
is
a
subfield
of
Q
(
2, 3 2), so the degree of the ex

tension Q( 2 + 3 2) over Q is either 2, 3, or 6 (it must divide 6). Our result will then
be
proved
if we can show that it is nota degree
2 or 3 extension, as this implies that

3
3
Q( 2, 2) is a degree
1 extension of Q( 2 + 2).

6
A basis for Q( 2) as a Q-vector space is given by the powers of 6 2 ranging from 0
to
is a result of problem (5) from the last homework). Now look at the powers of
5 (this

3
2 + 2:

6
3
3
3
6
( 2 + 2)2 = 2 + 2 2 2 + ( 2)2 = 2 + 2( 2)5 + ( 4)4

3
6
6
6
( 2 + 2)3 = 2 + 6( 2) + 6( 2)2 + 2( 2)3

These powers of 6 2 imply that the minimal polynomial for 2 + 3 2 cannot be a quadratic
or
a cubic; such a polynomial
would provide a linear
among the powersof

dependence

6
6
3
5
2
2, since the power ( 2) would
occur only in the ( 2 + 2) term while the power 6 2

would occur only in the ( 2 + 3 2)3 term. In short, any Q-linearcombinations

of these

3
cannot be zero unless all of the coefficients
zero. Hence, Q( 2 + 2) is a degree 6
are

3
extension of Q and it must be equal to Q( 2, 2).

9. Find the smallest normal extension of Q that contains sin(/5).
q

85 . If we denote
= 64t4 80t2 + 20 = 0.
5 2
5
4
Therefore mt,Q ( x ) | f ( x ) := x 4 x + 16 , but this polynomial is irreducible over Q as
one can easily wee by clearing the denominators and then using Eisensteins criterion.
By the quadratic formula (viewing this as
in x2 then solving for x by
q a polynomial

square roots), the zeros are found to be 12 12 (5 5). If we consider the normal ex5
tension of Q obtained by as a splitting field of the polynomial x4 54 x2 + 16
over Q, we
generate, what we proceed to show, a degree 4 extension of Q containing sin(/5). By the
preceding paragraph, [Q(sin(/5)) : Q] = 4, and this extension generates at least two
of the zeros of f ( x ). If we let the roots be denoted by and (where sin(/5) = ,
We seek the smallest normal extension of Q containing sin 5 =

the right-hand side by t, then 8t2 = 5 5, whence (8t2 5)2 5

5
8

say), then we have so far that [Q() : Q] = 4. But note that = 45 and further note

2 = 18 (5 5), whence 5 Q() and thus Q(). Thus Q() = Q(, ) is a degree
four normal extension of Q. Any other extension containing = sin(/5) must necessarily have degree at least 4, since m,Q ( x ) = f ( x ), a degree four polynomial. Thus this is
indeed the smallest normal extension of Q containing sin(/5).

10. Give an algebraic proof that every angle can be bisected by using a ruler and compass.
To do this, we will situate that angle in C
= R2 , then this is equivalent to the following
i
task: given the point ei = (cos , sin ), construct e 2 = (cos 2 , sin 2 ). We know that if we
can individually construct (cos 2 , sin 2 ) from (cos , sin ), then this will be sufficient.
By the double-angle formula, we have that cos = 2 cos2 2 1, or cos + 1 = 2 cos2 2 .
Since we can construct the cos , we can construct cos 2 +1 . Totake the square root, given
a segment of length a, we can construct a segment of length a, and hence this gives us
cos 2 as required. For sin 2 , we know that sin = 2 cos 2 sin 2 , and we know sin and
cos 2 , hence we can construct sin 2 .
Therefore, we can bisect any angle with a ruler and compass.