FIELDS AND GALOIS THEORY

J.S. Milne
August 31, 2003∗

Abstract

These notes, which are a revision of those handed out during a course taught to
first-year graduate students, give a concise introduction to fields and Galois theory.
Please send comments and corrections to me at [email protected].
v2.01 (August 21, 1996). First version on the web.
v3.01 (August 31, 2003). Fixed many minor errors; no change to numbering; 99
pages.

Contents
Notations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

1 Basic definitions and results 4

Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
The characteristic of a field . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Review of polynomial rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Factoring polynomials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Extension fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Construction of some extension fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
The subring generated by a subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
The subfield generated by a subset . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Algebraic and transcendental elements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Transcendental numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Constructions with straight-edge and compass. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Algebraically closed fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Exercises 1–4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

2 Splitting fields; multiple roots 22

Maps from simple extensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Splitting fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Multiple roots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Exercises 5–10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
∗
Copyright c 1996, 1998, 2002, 2003. J.S. Milne. You may make one copy of these notes for your own
personal use. Available at http://www.jmilne.org/math/.

1
2 CONTENTS

3 The fundamental theorem of Galois theory 29

Groups of automorphisms of fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Separable, normal, and Galois extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
The fundamental theorem of Galois theory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Constructible numbers revisited . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
The Galois group of a polynomial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Solvability of equations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Exercises 11–13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

4 Computing Galois groups. 40

When is Gf ⊂ An ? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
When is Gf transitive? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Polynomials of degree ≤ 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Quartic polynomials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Examples of polynomials with Sp as Galois group over Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Finite fields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Computing Galois groups over Q . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Exercises 14–20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

5 Applications of Galois theory 50

Primitive element theorem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Fundamental Theorem of Algebra . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Cyclotomic extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Independence of characters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
The normal basis theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Hilbert’s Theorem 90. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Cyclic extensions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Proof of Galois’s solvability theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
The general polynomial of degree n . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Norms and traces . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Exercises 21–23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

6 Algebraic closures 71
Zorn’s Lemma . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
First proof of the existence of algebraic closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Second proof of the existence of algebraic closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Third proof of the existence of algebraic closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
(Non)uniqueness of algebraic closures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

7 Infinite Galois extensions 75

8 Transcendental extensions 77

A Review exercises 82

B Solutions to Exercises 87

C Two-hour Examination 95
Solutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Index 98
Notations. 3

Notations.
We use the standard (Bourbaki) notations:

N = {0, 1, 2, . . .},
Z = ring of integers,
R = field of real numbers,
C = field of complex numbers,
Fp = Z/pZ = field with p elements, p a prime number.

Given an equivalence relation, [∗] denotes the equivalence class containing ∗.

Throughout the notes, p is a prime number: p = 2, 3, 5, 7, 11, . . ..
Let I and A be sets. A family of elements of A indexed by I, denoted (ai )i∈I , is a
function i 7→ ai : I → A.
X ⊂ Y X is a subset of Y (not necessarily proper).
df
X = Y X is defined to be Y , or equals Y by definition.
X ≈ Y X is isomorphic to Y .
X∼ = Y X and Y are canonically isomorphic (or there is a given or unique isomorphism).

References.
Artin, M., 1991, Algebra, Prentice Hall.
Dummit, D., and Foote, R.M., 1991, Abstract Algebra, Prentice Hall.
Jacobson, N., 1964, Lectures in Abstract Algebra, Volume III — Theory of Fields and
Galois Theory, van Nostrand.
Rotman, J.J., 1990, Galois Theory, Springer.
Also, the following of my notes (available at www.jmilne.org/math/).
GT: Milne, J.S., Group Theory, v2.1, 2002.
ANT: Milne, J.S., Algebraic Number Theory, v2.1, 1998.

Prerequisites
Group theory (for example, GT), basic linear algebra, and some elementary theory of rings.

Acknowledgements
I thank the following for providing corrections and comments for earlier versions of the
notes: Demetres Christofides, Antoine Chambert-Loir, Hardy Falk, Jens Hansen, Albrecht
Hess, Trevor Jarvis, Henry Kim, Martin Klazar, Dmitry Lyubshin, John McKay, Shuichi
Otsuka, David G. Radcliffe, and others.
4 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

1 Basic definitions and results

Rings
A ring is a set R with two composition laws + and · such that
(a) (R, +) is a commutative group;
(b) · is associative, and there exists1 an element 1R such that a · 1R = a = 1R · a for all
a ∈ R;
(c) the distributative law holds: for all a, b, c ∈ R,

(a + b) · c = a · c + b · c
a · (b + c) = a · b + a · c.

We usually omit “·” and write 1 for 1R when this causes no confusion. It is allowed that
1R = 0, but then R = {0}.
A subring S of a ring R is a subset that contains 1R and is closed under addition,
passage to the negative, and multiplication. It inherits the structure of a ring from that on
R.
A homomorphism of rings α : R → R0 is a map with the properties

α(a + b) = α(a) + α(b), α(ab) = α(a)α(b), α(1R ) = 1R0 , all a, b ∈ R.

A ring R is said to be commutative if multiplication is commutative:

ab = ba for all a, b ∈ R.

A commutative ring is said to be an integral domain if 1R 6= 0 and the cancellation law

holds for multiplication:
ab = ac, a 6= 0, implies b = c.
An ideal I in a commutative ring R is a subgroup of (R, +) that is closed under multipli-
cation by elements of R:
r ∈ R, a ∈ I, implies ra ∈ I.
We assume that the reader has some familiarity with the elementary theory of rings. For
example, in Z (more generally, any Euclidean domain) an ideal I is generated by any
“smallest” nonzero element of I.

Fields
D EFINITION 1.1. A field is a set F with two composition laws + and · such that
(a) (F, +) is a commutative group;
(b) (F × , ·), where F × = F r {0}, is a commutative group;
(c) the distributive law holds.
1
We follow Bourbaki in requiring that rings have a 1, which entails that we require homomorphisms to
preserve it.
The characteristic of a field 5

Thus, a field is a nonzero commutative ring such that every nonzero element has an inverse.
In particular, it is an integral domain. A field contains at least two distinct elements, 0 and
1. The smallest, and one of the most important, fields is F2 = Z/2Z = {0, 1}.
A subfield S of a field F is a subring that is closed under passage to the inverse. It
inherits the structure of a field from that on F .

L EMMA 1.2. A commutative ring R is a field if and only if it has no ideals other than (0)
and R.

P ROOF. Suppose R is a field, and let I be a nonzero ideal in R. If a is a nonzero element

of I, then 1 = a−1 a ∈ I, and so I = R. Conversely, suppose R is a commutative ring with
no nontrivial ideals. If a 6= 0, then (a) = R, and so there is a b in F such that ab = 1.

E XAMPLE 1.3. The following are fields: Q, R, C, Fp = Z/pZ (p prime).

A homomorphism of fields α : F → F 0 is simply a homomorphism of rings. Such a
homomorphism is always injective, because the kernel is a proper ideal (it doesn’t contain
1), which must therefore be zero.

The characteristic of a field

One checks easily that the map

Z → F, n 7→ 1F + 1F + · · · + 1F (n copies),

is a homomorphism of rings, and so its kernel is an ideal in Z.

Case 1: The kernel of the map is (0), so that

n · 1F = 0 =⇒ n = 0 ( in Z).

Nonzero integers map to invertible elements of F under n 7→ n · 1F : Z → F , and so this

map extends to a homomorphism
m
7→ (m · 1F )(n · 1F )−1 : Q ,→ F.
n
Thus, in this case, F contains a copy of Q, and we say that it has characteristic zero.
Case 2: The kernel of the map is 6= (0), so that n · 1F = 0 for some n 6= 0. The smallest
positive such n will be a prime p (otherwise there will be two nonzero elements in F whose
product is zero), and p generates the kernel. Thus, the map n 7→ n · 1F : Z → F defines an
isomorphism from Z/pZ onto the subring

{m · 1F | m ∈ Z}

of F . In this case, F contains a copy of Fp , and we say that it has characteristic p.

The fields F2 , F3 , F5 , . . . , Q are called the prime fields. Every field contains a copy of
exactly one of them.
6 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

R EMARK 1.4. The binomial theorem

m m
(a + b)m = am + am−1 b + am−2 b2 + · · · + bm



1 2

holds in any commutative ring. If p is prime, then p| pr for all r, 1 ≤ r ≤ p − 1. Therefore,

when F has characteristic p,

(a + b)p = ap + bp .
Hence a 7→ ap is a homomorphism F → F , called the Frobenius endomorphism of F .
When F is finite, it is an isomorphism, called the Frobenius automorphism.

Review of polynomial rings

For the following, see Dummit and Foote 1991, Chapter 9. Let F be a field.
1.5. We let F [X] denote the polynomial ring in the indeterminate X with coefficients in
F . Thus, F [X] is a commutative ring containing F as a subring whose elements can be
written uniquely in the form
am X m + am−1 X m−1 + · · · + a0 , ai ∈ F , m ∈ N.
For a ring R containing F as a subring and an element r of R, there is a unique homomor-
phism α : F [X] → R such that α(X) = r and α(a) = a for all a ∈ F .
1.6. Division algorithm: given f (X) and g(X) ∈ F [X] with g 6= 0, there exist q(X),
r(X) ∈ F [X] with deg(r) < deg(g) such that
f = gq + r;
moreover, q(X) and r(X) are uniquely determined. Thus F [X] is a Euclidean domain with
deg as norm, and so is a unique factorization domain.
1.7. From the division algorithm, it follows that an element a of F is a root of f (that is,
f (a) = 0) if and only if X − a divides f . From unique factorization, it now follows that f
has at most deg(f ) roots (see also Exercise 3).
1.8. Euclid’s algorithm: Let f and g ∈ F [X] have gcd d(X). Euclid’s algorithm constructs
polynomials a(X) and b(X) such that
a(X) · f (X) + b(X) · g(X) = d(X), deg(a) < deg(g), deg(b) < deg(f ).
Recall how it goes. We may assume deg(f ) ≥ deg(g) since the argument is the same in
the opposite case. Using the division algorithm, we construct a sequence of quotients and
remainders
f = q0 g + r0
g = q1 r0 + r 1
r 0 = q2 r1 + r 2
···
rn−2 = qn rn−1 + rn
rn−1 = qn+1 rn
Factoring polynomials 7

with rn the last nonzero remainder. Then, rn divides rn−1 , hence rn−2 ,. . . , hence g, and
hence f . Moreover,

rn = rn−2 − qn rn−1 = rn−2 − qn (rn−3 − qn−1 rn−2 ) = · · · = af + bg

and so any common divisor of f and g divides rn : we have shown rn = gcd(f, g).
Let af + bg = d. If deg(a) ≥ deg(g), write a = gq + r with deg(r) < deg(g); then

rf + (b + qf )g = d,

and b + qf automatically has degree < deg(f ).

Maple knows Euclid’s algorithm — to learn its syntax, type “?gcdex;”.

1.9. Let I be a nonzero ideal in F [X], and let f be a nonzero polynomial of least degree in
I; then I = (f ) (because F [X] is a Euclidean domain). When we choose f to be monic,
i.e., to have leading coefficient one, it is uniquely determined by I. Thus, there is a one-
to-one correspondence between the nonzero ideals of F [X] and the monic polynomials in
F [X]. The prime ideals correspond to the irreducible monic polynomials.

1.10. Since F [X] is an integral domain, we can form its field of fractions F (X). Its ele-
ments are quotients f /g, f and g polynomials, g 6= 0.

Factoring polynomials
The following results help in deciding whether a polynomial is irreducible, and, when it is
not, in finding its factors.

P ROPOSITION 1.11. Suppose r ∈ Q is a root of a polynomial

am X m + am−1 X m−1 + · · · + a0 , ai ∈ Z,

and let r = c/d, c, d ∈ Z, gcd(c, d) = 1. Then c|a0 and d|am .

P ROOF. It is clear from the equation

am cm + am−1 cm−1 d + · · · + a0 dm = 0

that d|am cm , and therefore, d|am . Similarly, c|a0 .

E XAMPLE 1.12. The polynomial f (X) = X 3 − 3X − 1 is irreducible in Q[X] because its

only possible roots are ±1, and f (1) 6= 0 6= f (−1).

P ROPOSITION 1.13 (G AUSS ’ S L EMMA ). Let f (X) ∈ Z[X]. If f (X) factors nontrivially
in Q[X], then it factors nontrivially in Z[X].
P ROOF. Let f = gh in Q[X]. For suitable integers m and n, g1 =df mg and h1 =df nh
have coefficients in Z, and so we have a factorization

mnf = g1 · h1 in Z[X].
8 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

If a prime p divides mn, then, looking modulo p, we obtain an equation

0 = g1 · h1 in Fp [X].
Since Fp [X] is an integral domain, this implies that p divides all the coefficients of at least
one of the polynomials g1 , h1 , say g1 , so that g1 = pg2 for some g2 ∈ Z[X]. Thus, we have
a factorization
(mn/p)f = g2 · h1 in Z[X].
Continuing in this fashion, we can remove all the prime factors of mn, and so obtain a
factorization of f in Z[X].
P ROPOSITION 1.14. If f ∈ Z[X] is monic, then any monic factor of f in Q[X] lies in Z[X].
P ROOF. Let g be a monic factor of f in Q[X], so that f = gh with h ∈ Q[X] also monic.
Let m, n be the positive integers with the fewest prime factors such that mg, nf ∈ Z[X]. As
in the proof of Gauss’s Lemma, if a prime p divides mn, then it divides all the coefficients
of at least one of the polynomials mg, nh, say mg, in which case it divides m because g is
monic. Now mp g ∈ Z[X], which contradicts the definition of m.
R EMARK 1.15. We sketch an alternative proof of Proposition 1.14. A complex number
α is said to be an algebraic integer if it is a root of a monic polynomial in Z[X]. The
algebraic integers form a subring of C — for an elementary proof of this, using nothing but
the symmetric polynomials theorem (5.30), see ANT, Theorem 2.2. Now let α1 , . . . , αm be
the roots of f in C. By definition, they are algebraic integers. The coefficients of any monic
factor of f are polynomials in (certain of) the αi , and therefore are algebraic integers. If
they lie in Q, then they lie in Z, because Proposition 1.11 shows that any algebraic integer
in Q is in Z.
P ROPOSITION 1.16 (E ISENSTEIN ’ S CRITERION ). Let
f = am X m + am−1 X m−1 + · · · + a0 , ai ∈ Z;
suppose that there is a prime p such that:
– p does not divide am ,
– p divides am−1 , ..., a0 ,
– p2 does not divide a0 .
Then f is irreducible in Q[X].
P ROOF. If f (X) factors in Q[X], it factors in Z[X]:
am X m + am−1 X m−1 + · · · + a0 = (br X r + · · · + b0 )(cs X s + · · · + c0 )
bi , ci ∈ Z, r, s < m. Since p, but not p2 , divides a0 = b0 c0 , p must divide exactly one of b0 ,
c0 , say, b0 . Now from the equation
a1 = b 0 c 1 + b 1 c 0 ,
we see that p|b1 , and from the equation
a2 = b 0 c 2 + b 1 c 1 + b 2 c 0 ,
that p|b2 . By continuing in this way, we find that p divides b0 , b1 , . . . , br , which contradicts
the fact that p does not divide am .
Factoring polynomials 9

The last three propositions hold with Z replaced by any unique factorization domain.
R EMARK 1.17. There is an algorithm for factoring a polynomial in Q[X]. To see this,
consider f ∈ Q[X]. Multiply f (X) by a rational number so that it is monic, and then
replace it by Ddeg(f ) f ( X
D
), with D equal to a common denominator for the coefficients of
f , to obtain a monic polynomial with integer coefficients. Thus we need consider only
polynomials
f (X) = X m + a1 X m−1 + · · · + am , ai ∈ Z.
From the fundamental theorem of algebra (see 5.6), we know that f splits completely
in C[X]:
Ym
f (X) = (X − αi ), αi ∈ C.
i=1

From the equation

0 = f (αi ) = αim + a1 αim−1 + · · · + am ,
it follows that |αi | is less than some bound depending only on the degree and coefficients
of f ; in fact,
|αi | ≤ max{1, mB}, B = max |ai |.
Now if g(X) is a monic factor of f (X), then its roots in C are certain of the αi , and its
coefficients are symmetric polynomials in its roots. Therefore, the absolute values of the
coefficients of g(X) are bounded in terms of the degree and coefficients of f . Since they
are also integers (by 1.14), we see that there are only finitely many possibilities for g(X).
Thus, to find the factors of f (X) we (better Maple) have to do only a finite amount of
checking.
Thus, we need not concern ourselves with the problem of factoring polynomials in
Q[X] or Fp [X], since Maple knows how to do it. For example
>factor(6*Xˆ2+18*X-24); will find the factors of 6X 2 + 18X − 24, and
>Factor(Xˆ2+3*X+3) mod 7; will find the factors of X 2 + 3X + 3 modulo 7,
i.e., in F7 [X].
R EMARK 1.18. One other observation is useful. Let f ∈ Z[X]. If the leading coefficient
of f is not divisible by a prime p, then a nontrivial factorization f = gh in Z[X] will give
a nontrivial factorization f = gh in Fp [X]. Thus, if f (X) is irreducible in Fp [X] for some
prime p not dividing its leading coefficient, then it is irreducible in Z[X]. This test is very
useful, but it is not always effective: for example, X 4 − 10X 2 + 1 is irreducible in Z[X]
but it is reducible2 modulo every prime p.
2
In an earlier version of these notes, I said that I didn’t know an elementary proof of this, but several
correspondents sent me such proofs, the simplest of which is the following. It uses only that the product of
two nonsquares in F× ×
p is a square, which follows from the fact that Fp is cyclic (see Exercise 3). If 2 is a
square in Fp , then √ √
X 4 − 10X 2 + 1 = (X 2 − 2 2X − 1)(X 2 + 2 2X − 1).
If 3 is a square in Fp , then
√ √
X 4 − 10X 2 + 1 = (X 2 − 2 3X + 1)(X 2 + 2 3X + 1).

If neither 2 nor 3 are squares, 6 will be a square in Fp , and

10 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

Extension fields
A field E containing a field F is called an extension field of F (or simply an extension
of F ). Such an E can be regarded in an obvious fashion as an F -vector space. We write
[E : F ] for the dimension, possibly infinite, of E as an F -vector space, and call [E : F ] the
degree of E over F . We often say that E is finite over F when it has finite degree over F.

E XAMPLE 1.19. (a) The field of complex numbers C has degree 2 over R (basis {1, i}).
(b) The field of real numbers R has infinite degree over Q — because Q is countable,
every finite-dimensional Q-vector space is also countable, but a famous argument of Cantor
shows that R is not countable. More explicitly, there are specific real numbers α, for
example, π, whose powers 1, α, α2 , . . . are linearly independent over Q (see the subsection
on transcendental numbers p15).
(c) The field of Gaussian numbers
df
Q(i) = {a + bi ∈ C | a, b ∈ Q}

has degree 2 over Q (basis {1, i}).

(d) The field F (X) has infinite degree over F ; in fact, even its subspace F [X] has
infinite dimension over F (basis 1, X, X 2 , . . .).

P ROPOSITION 1.20. Let L ⊃ E ⊃ F (all fields and subfields). Then L/F is of finite degree
if and only if L/E and E/F are both of finite degree, in which case

[L : F ] = [L : E][E : F ].

P ROOF. If L is of finite degree over F , then it is certainly of finite degree over E. More-
over, E, being a subspace of a finite dimensional F -space, is also finite dimensional.
Thus, assume that L/E and E/F are of finite degree, and let (ei )1≤i≤m be a basis for E
as an F -vector space and let (lj )1≤j≤n be a basis for L as an E-vector space. To complete
the proof, it suffices to show that (ei lj )1≤i≤m,1≤j≤n is a basis for L over F , because then L
will be finite over F of the predicted degree.
First, (ei lj )i,j spans L. Let γ ∈ L. Then, because (lj )j spans L as an E-vector space,
P
γ= j αj lj , some αj ∈ E,

and because (ei )i spans E as an F -vector space,

P
αj = i aij ei , some aij ∈ F .

√ √
X 4 − 10X 2 + 1 = (X 2 − (5 + 2 6))(X 2 − (5 − 2 6)).
The general study of such polynomials requires nonelementary methods. See, for example, the paper
Brandl, Rolf, Integer polynomials that are reducible modulo all primes, Amer. Math. Monthly, 93 (1986),
pp286–288,
which proves that every nonprime integer n ≥ 1 occurs as the degree of a polynomial in Z[X] that is
irreducible over Z but reducible modulo all primes.
Construction of some extension fields 11

On putting these together, we find that

P
γ= i,j aij ei lj .
P
Second, (ei lj )P
i,j isPlinearly independent. A linear relation aij ei lj = 0, aij ∈ F ,
can be
P rewritten j ( a e )l
i ij i j = 0. The linear independence of the lj ’s now shows
that i aij ei = 0 for each j, and the linear independence of the ei ’s shows that each
aij = 0.

Construction of some extension fields

Let f (X) ∈ F [X] be a monic polynomial of degree m, and let (f ) be the ideal gener-
ated by f . Consider the quotient ring F [X]/(f (X)), and write x for the image of X in
F [X]/(f (X)), i.e., x is the coset X + (f (X)). Then:
(a) The map
P (X) 7→ P (x) : F [X] → F [x]
is a surjective homomorphism in which f (X) maps to 0. Therefore, f (x) = 0.
(b) From the division algorithm, we know that each element g of F [X]/(f ) is rep-
resented by a unique polynomial r of degree < m. Hence each element of F [x] can be
expressed uniquely as a sum

a0 + a1 x + · · · + am−1 xm−1 , ai ∈ F. (*)

(c) To add two elements, expressed in the form (*), simply add the corresponding coef-
ficients.
(d) To multiply two elements expressed in the form (*), multiply in the usual way, and
use the relation f (x) = 0 to express the monomials of degree ≥ m in x in terms of lower
degree monomials.
(e) Now assume f (X) is irreducible. To find the inverse of an element α ∈ F [x], write
α in the form (*), i.e., set α = g(x) where g(X) is a polynomial of degree ≤ m − 1, and
use Euclid’s algorithm in F [X] to obtain polynomials a(X) and b(X) such that

a(X)f (X) + b(X)g(X) = d(X)

with d(X) the gcd of f and g. In our case, d(X) is 1 because f (X) is irreducible and
deg g(X) < deg f (X). When we replace X with x, the equality becomes

b(x)g(x) = 1.

Hence b(x) is the inverse of g(x).

From these observations, we can conclude:
1.21. For a monic irreducible polynomial f (X) of degree m in F [X],

F [x] = F [X]/(f (X))

is a field of degree m over F . Moreover, computations in F [x] reduce to computations in

F.
12 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

E XAMPLE 1.22. Let f (X) = X 2 + 1 ∈ R[X]. Then R[x] has:

elements: a + bx, a, b ∈ R;
addition: (a + bx) + (a0 + b0 x) = (a + a0 ) + (b + b0 )x;
multiplication: (a + bx)(a0 + b0 x) = (aa0 − bb0 ) + (ab0 + a0 b)x.
We usually write i for x and C for R[x].
E XAMPLE 1.23. Let f (X) = X 3 − 3X − 1 ∈ Q[X]. We observed in (1.12) that this is
irreducible over Q, and so Q[x] is a field. It has basis {1, x, x2 } as a Q-vector space. Let

β = x4 + 2x3 + 3 ∈ Q[x].

Then using that x3 − 3x − 1 = 0, we find that β = 3x2 + 7x + 5. Because X 3 − 3X − 1 is

irreducible,
gcd(X 3 − 3X − 1, 3X 2 + 7X + 5) = 1.
In fact, Euclid’s algorithm (courtesy of Maple) gives

(X 3 − 3X − 1)( −7
37
X+ 29
111
) 7
+ (3X 2 + 7X + 5)( 111 X2 − 26
111
X + 28
111
) = 1.

Hence
7 26 28
(3x2 + 7x + 5)( 111 x2 − 111
x + 111
) = 1,
and we have found the inverse of β.

The subring generated by a subset

An intersection of subrings of a ring is again a ring. Let F be a subfield of a field E, and let
S be a subset of E. The intersection of all the subrings of E containing F and S is evidently
the smallest subring of E containing F and S. We call it the subring of E generated by
F and S (or generated over F by S), and we denote √ it F [S]. When S = {α1 , ..., αn }, we
write F [α1 , ..., αn ] for F [S]. For example, C = R[ −1].
L EMMA 1.24. The ring F [S] consists of the elements of E that can be written as finite
sums of the form X
ai1 ···in α1i1 · · · αnin , ai1 ···in ∈ F, αi ∈ S. (*)

P ROOF. Let R be the set of all such elements. Evidently, R is a subring containing F and
S and contained in any other such subring. Therefore R equals F [S].
E XAMPLE 1.25. The ring Q[π], π = 3.14159..., consists of the complex numbers that can
be expressed as a finite sum

a0 + a1 π + a2 π 2 + · · · an π n , ai ∈ Q.

The ring Q[i] consists of the complex numbers of the form a + bi, a, b ∈ Q.
Note that the expression of an element in the form (*) will not be unique in general.
This is so already in R[i].
L EMMA 1.26. Let R be an integral domain containing a subfield F (as a subring). If R is
finite dimensional when regarded as an F -vector space, then it is a field.
The subfield generated by a subset 13

P ROOF. Let α be a nonzero element of R — we have to show that α has an inverse in R.

The map x 7→ αx : R → R is an injective linear map of finite dimensional F -vector spaces,
and is therefore surjective. In particular, there is an element β ∈ R such that αβ = 1.

Note that the lemma applies to subrings (containing F ) of an extension field E of F of

finite degree.

The subfield generated by a subset

An intersection of subfields of a field is again a field. Let F be a subfield of a field E,
and let S be a subset of E. The intersection of all the subfields of E containing F and S
is evidently the smallest subfield of E containing F and S. We call it the subfield of E
generated by F and S (or generated over F by S), and we denote it F (S). It is the field
of fractions of F [S] in E, since this is a subfield of E containing F and S and contained
in any other such field. When S = {α1 , ..., αn }, we write F (α1 , ..., αn ) for F (S). Thus,
F [α1 , . . . , αn ] consists of all elements of E that can be expressed as polynomials in the
αi with coefficients in F , and F (α1 , . . . , αn ) consists of all elements of E that can be
expressed as the quotient of two such polynomials.
Lemma 1.26 shows that F [S] is already a field if it is finite dimensional over F , in
which case F (S) = F [S].

E XAMPLE 1.27. The field Q(π), π = 3.14 . . . consists of the complex numbers that can be
expressed as a quotient

g(π)/h(π), g(X), h(X) ∈ Q[X], h(X) 6= 0.

The ring Q[i] is already a field.

An extension E of F is said to be simple if E = F (α) some α ∈ E. For example,
Q(π) and Q[i] are simple extensions of Q.
Let F and F 0 be subfields of a field E. The intersection of the subfields of E containing
F and F 0 is evidently the smallest subfield of E containing both F and F 0 . We call it the
composite of F and F 0 in E, and we denote it F · F 0 . It can also be described as the subfield
of E generated over F by F 0 , or the subfield generated over F 0 by F :

F (F 0 ) = F · F 0 = F 0 (F ).

Algebraic and transcendental elements

For a field F and an element α of an extension field E, we have a homomorphism

f (X) 7→ f (α) : F [X] → E.

There are two possibilities.

Case 1: The kernel of the map is (0), so that, for f ∈ F [X],

f (α) = 0 =⇒ f = 0 (in F [X]).

14 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

In this case, we say that α transcendental over F . The homomorphism F [X] → F [α] is
an isomorphism, and it extends to an isomorphism F (X) → F (α).
Case 2: The kernel is 6= (0), so that g(α) = 0 for some nonzero g ∈ F [X]. In this case,
we say that α is algebraic over F . The polynomials g such that g(α) = 0 form a nonzero
ideal in F [X], which is generated by the monic polynomial f of least degree such f (α) = 0.
We call f the minimum polynomial of α over F . It is irreducible, because otherwise there
would be two nonzero elements of E whose product is zero. The minimum polynomial is
characterized as an element of F [X] by each of the following sets of conditions:
f is monic; f (α) = 0 and divides every other polynomial g in F [X] with g(α) = 0.
f is the monic polynomial of least degree such f (α) = 0;
f is monic, irreducible, and f (α) = 0.
Note that g(X) 7→ g(α) defines an isomorphism F [X]/(f ) → F [α]. Since the first is a
field, so also is the second:
F (α) = F [α].
Moreover, each element of F [α] has a unique expression

a0 + a1 α + a2 α2 + · · · + am−1 αm−1 , ai ∈ F,

where m = deg(f ). In other words, 1, α, . . . , αm−1 is a basis for F [α] over F . Hence
[F (α) : F ] = m. Since F [x] ∼
= F [α], arithmetic in F [α] can be performed using the same
rules as in F [x].
E XAMPLE 1.28. Let α ∈ C be such that α3 − 3α − 1 = 0. Then X 3 − 3X − 1 is monic,
irreducible, and has α as a root, and so it is the minimum polynomial of α over Q. The set
{1, α, α2 } is a basis for Q[α] over Q. The calculations in Example 1.23 show that if β is
the element α4 + 2α3 + 3 of Q[α], then β = 3α2 + 7α + 5, and

β −1 = 7
111
α2 − 26
111
α + 28
111
.

R EMARK 1.29. Maple knows how to compute in Q[α]. For example,

factor(Xˆ4+4); returns the factorization

(X 2 − 2X + 2)(X 2 + 2X + 2).

Now type: alias(c=RootOf(Xˆ2+2*X+2));. Then

factor(Xˆ4+4,c); returns the factorization

(X + c)(X − 2 − c)(X + 2 + c)(X − c),

i.e., Maple has factored X 4 + 4 in Q[c] where c has minimum polynomial X 2 + 2X + 2.

A field extension E/F is said to be algebraic, or E is said to be algebraic over F , if all
elements of E are algebraic over F ; otherwise it is said to be transcendental (or E is said
to be transcendental over F ). Thus, E/F is transcendental if at least one element of E is
transcendental over F .
P ROPOSITION 1.30. A field extension E/F is finite if and only if E is algebraic and finitely
generated (as a field) over F .
Transcendental numbers 15

P ROOF. =⇒: To say that α is transcendental over F amounts to saying that its powers
1, α, α2 , . . . are linearly independent over F . Therefore, if E is finite over F , then it is
algebraic over F . It remains to show that E is finitely generated over F . If E = F , then it
is generated by the empty set. Otherwise, there exists an α1 ∈ E r F . If E 6= F [α1 ], there
exists an α2 ∈ E r F [α1 ], and so on. Since

[F [α1 ] : F ] < [F [α1 , α2 ] : F ] < · · · < [E : F ]

this process terminates.

⇐=: Let E = F (α1 , ..., αn ) with α1 , α2 , . . . αn algebraic over F . The extension
F (α1 )/F is finite because α1 is algebraic over F , and the extension F (α1 , α2 )/F (α1 ) is
finite because α2 is algebraic over F and hence over F (α1 ). Thus, by ( 1.20), F (α1 , α2 ) is
finite over F . Now repeat the argument.
C OROLLARY 1.31. (a) If E is algebraic over F , then any subring R of E containing F is
a field.
(b) If in L ⊃ E ⊃ F , L is algebraic over E and E is algebraic over F , then L is
algebraic over F.
P ROOF. (a) We observed above, that if α is algebraic over F , then F [α] is a field. If α ∈ R,
then F [α] ⊂ R, and so α has an inverse in R.
(b) Any α ∈ L is a root of some monic polynomial f = X m + am−1 X m−1 + · · · + a0 ∈
E[X]. Now each of the extensions F [a0 , . . . , am−1 , α] ⊃ F [a0 , . . . , am−1 ] ⊃ F is finite,
and so F [a0 , . . . , am−1 , α] is finite (hence algebraic) over F .

Transcendental numbers
A complex number is said to be algebraic or transcendental according as it is algebraic or
transcendental over Q. First some history:
1844: Liouville showed that certain numbers, now called Liouville numbers, are tran-
scendental.
1873: Hermite showed that e is transcendental.
1874: Cantor showed that the set of algebraic numbers is countable, but that R is not
countable. Thus almost all numbers are transcendental (but it is usually very difficult to
prove that any particular number is transcendental).3
1882: Lindemann showed that π is transcendental.
1934: Gel’fond and Schneider independently showed that αβ is transcendental if α and
β are algebraic, α 6= 0, 1, and β ∈
/ Q. (This was the seventh of Hilbert’s famous problems.)
1994: Euler’s constant
Xn
γ = lim ( 1/k − log n)
n→∞
k=1

3
In 1873 Cantor proved the rational numbers countable. . . . He also showed that the algebraic numbers. . .
were countable. However his attempts to decide whether the real numbers were countable proved harder. He
had proved that the real numbers were not countable by December 1873 and published this in a paper in 1874
(http://www-gap.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/˜history/Mathematicians/Cantor.html).
16 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

has not yet been proven to be transcendental.

1994: The numbers e + π and e − π are surely transcendental, but they have not even
been proved to be irrational!
P ROPOSITION 1.32. The set of algebraic numbers is countable.
P ROOF. Define the height h(r) of a rational number to be max(|m|, |n|), where r = m/n
is the expression of r in its lowest terms. There are only finitely many rational numbers
with height less than a fixed number N . Let A(N ) be the set of algebraic numbers whose
minimum equation over Q has degree ≤ N and has coefficients of height < N . Then A(N )
is finite for each N . Count the elements of A(10); then count the elements of A(100); then
count the elements of A(1000), and so on.4
A typical Liouville number is ∞ 1
P
n=0 10n! — in its decimal expansion there are increas-
ingly long strings of zeros. We prove that the analogue of this number in base 2 is tran-
scendental.
P 1
T HEOREM 1.33. The number α = 2n!
is transcendental.
P ROOF. 5 Suppose not, and let

f (X) = X d + a1 X d−1 + · · · + ad , ai ∈ Q,

be the minimum polynomial of α over Q. Thus [Q[α] : Q] = d. Choose a nonzero integer

D such that D ·Pf (X) ∈ Z[X].
N 1
Let ΣN = n=0 2n! , so that ΣN → α as N → ∞, and let xN = f (ΣN ). If α is
6
rational, f (X) = X −α; otherwise, f (X), being irreducible of degree > 1, has no rational
root. Since ΣN 6= α, it can’t be a root of f (X), and so xN 6= 0. Evidently, xN ∈ Q; in fact
(2N ! )d DxN ∈ Z, and so
|(2N ! )d DxN | ≥ 1. (*)
From the fundamental theorem of algebra (see 5.6 below), we know that f splits in
C[X], say,
Yd
f (X) = (X − αi ), αi ∈ C, α1 = α,
i=1

and so
d
Y
|xN | = |ΣN − αi | ≤ |ΣN − α1 |(ΣN + M )d−1 , where M = max{1, |αi |}.
i6=1
i=1

But
∞ ∞
!
X 1 1 X 1 2
|ΣN − α1 | = n!
≤ (N +1)! = .
n=N +1
2 2 n=0
2n 2(N +1)!
4
More precisely, choose a bijection from some segment [0, n(1)] of N onto A(10); extend it to a bijection
from a segment [0, n(2)] onto A(100), and so on.
5
This proof, which I learnt from David Masser, also works for a1n! for any integer a ≥ 2.
P
6
In fact α is not rational because its expansion to base 2 is not periodic.
Constructions with straight-edge and compass. 17

Hence
2
|xN | ≤ · (ΣN + M )d−1
2(N +1)!
and
2d·N ! D
|(2N ! )d DxN | ≤ 2 · · (ΣN + M )d−1
2(N +1)!
 d N !
2d·N !
which tends to 0 as N → ∞ because 2(N +1)! = 2N2 +1 → 0. This contradicts (*).

Constructions with straight-edge and compass.

The Greeks understood integers and the rational numbers. They √ were surprised to find
that the length of the diagonal of a square of side 1, namely, 2, is not rational. They
thus realized that they needed to extend their number system. They then hoped that the
“constructible” numbers would suffice. Suppose we are given a length, which we call 1,
a straight-edge, and a compass (device for drawing circles). A number (better a length) is
constructible if it can be constructed by forming successive intersections of
– lines drawn through two points already constructed, and
– circles with centre a point already constructed and radius a constructed length.
This led them to three famous questions that they were unable to answer: is it possible
to duplicate the cube, trisect an angle, or square the circle by straight-edge and compass
constructions? We’ll see that the answer to all three is negative.
√
Let F be a subfield of R. For a positive a ∈ F , a denotes the positive square root of
a in R. The F -plane is F × F ⊂ R × R. We make the following definitions:

A line in the F -plane is a line through two points in the F -plane. Such a line
is given by an equation:

ax + by + c = 0, a, b, c ∈ F.

A circle in the F -plane is a circle with centre an F -point and radius an element
of F . Such a circle is given by an equation:

(x − a)2 + (y − b)2 = c2 , a, b, c ∈ F.

L EMMA 1.34. Let L 6= L0 be F -lines, and let C 6= C 0 be F -circles.

(a) L ∩ L0 = ∅ or consists of a single F -point. √
(b) L ∩ C = ∅ or consists of one or two points in the F [ √e]-plane, some e ∈ F.
(c) C ∩ C 0 = ∅ or consists of one or two points in the F [ e]-plane, some e ∈ F .

P ROOF. The points in the intersection are found by solving the simultaneous equations,
and hence by solving (at worst) a quadratic equation with coefficients in F .

L EMMA 1.35. (a) If c and d are constructible, then so also are c+d, −c, cd, and dc (d 6= 0).
√
(b) If c > 0 is constructible, then so also is c.
18 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

P ROOF ( SKETCH ). First show that it is possible to construct a line perpendicular to a given
line through a given point, and then a line parallel to a given line through a given point.
Hence it is possible to construct a triangle similar to a given one on a side with given length.
By an astute choice of the triangles, one constructs cd and c−1 . For (b), draw a circle of
radius c+1
2
and centre ( c+1
2
, 0), and draw
√ a vertical line through the point A = (1, 0) to
meet the circle at P . The length AP is c. (For more details, see Rotman 1990, Appendix
3.)
T HEOREM 1.36. (a) The set of constructible numbers is a field.
(b) A number α is constructible if and only if it is contained in a field of the form
√ √ √ √
Q[ a1 , . . . , ar ], ai ∈ Q[ a1 , . . . , ai−1 ].

P ROOF. (a) Immediate from (a) of Lemma 1.35.

(b) From (a) we know that the set of constructible numbers is a field containing Q, and
√ √
it follows from (a) and Lemma 1.35 that every number in Q[ a1 , . . . , ar ] is constructible.
Conversely, it follows from Lemma 1.34 that every constructible number is in a field of the
√ √
form Q[ a1 , . . . , ar ].
C OROLLARY 1.37. If α is constructible, then α is algebraic over Q, and [Q[α] : Q] is a
power of 2.
√ √
P ROOF. According to Proposition 1.20, [Q[α] : Q] divides [Q[ a1 , . . . , ar ] : Q] and
√ √
[Q[ a1 , . . . , ar ] : Q] is a power of 2.
C OROLLARY 1.38. It is impossible to duplicate the cube by straight-edge and compass
constructions.
P ROOF. The problem is to construct a cube with volume 2. This requires constructing a
root of the polynomial X 3 − 2.√But this polynomial is irreducible (by Eisenstein’s criterion
1.16 for example), and so [Q[ 3 2] : Q] = 3.
C OROLLARY 1.39. In general, it is impossible to trisect an angle by straight-edge and
compass constructions.
P ROOF. Knowing an angle is equivalent to knowing the cosine of the angle. Therefore, to
trisect 3α, we have to construct a solution to

cos 3α = 4 cos3 α − 3 cos α.

For example, take 3α = 60 degrees. To construct α, we have to solve 8x3 − 6x − 1 = 0,

which is irreducible (apply 1.11).
C OROLLARY 1.40. It is impossible to square the circle by straight-edge and compass con-
structions.
√
P ROOF. A square with the √ same area as a circle of radius r has side πr. Since π is
7
transcendental , so also is π.
7
Proofs of this can be found in many books on number theory, for example, in 11.14 of
Hardy, G. H., and Wright, E. M., An Introduction to the Theory of Numbers, Fourth Edition, Oxford, 1960.
Constructions with straight-edge and compass. 19

We now consider another famous old problem, that of constructing a regular polygon.
Note that X m − 1 is not irreducible; in fact
X m − 1 = (X − 1)(X m−1 + X m−2 + · · · + 1).
L EMMA 1.41. If p is prime then X p−1 + · · · + 1 is irreducible; hence Q[e2πi/p ] has degree
p − 1 over Q.
P ROOF. Set f (X) = X p−1 + · · · + 1, so that
(X + 1)p − 1
f (X + 1) = = X p−1 + · · · + a2 X 2 + a1 X + p,
X
p


with ai = i+1 . Now p|ai for i = 1, ..., p−2, and so f (X +1) is irreducible by Eisenstein’s
criterion 1.16.
In order to construct a regular p-gon, p an odd prime, we need to construct
2πi 2πi
cos 2π
p
= (e p + (e p )−1 )/2.
But 2πi
Q[e p ] ⊃ Q[cos 2π
p
] ⊃ Q,
2πi
and the degree of Q[e p ] over Q[cos 2π
p
] is 2 — the equation
2πi
α2 − 2 cos 2π
p
· α + 1 = 0, α=e p ,
2πi
shows that it is ≤ 2, and it is not 1 because Q[e p ] is not contained in R. Hence
p−1
[Q[cos 2π
p
] : Q] = .
2
Thus, if the regular p-gon is constructible, then (p − 1)/2 = 2k for some k (later (5.12),
we shall see a converse), which implies p = 2k+1 + 1. But 2r + 1 can be a prime only if r
is a power of 2, because otherwise r has an odd factor t and for t odd,
Y t + 1 = (Y + 1)(Y t−1 − Y t−2 + · · · + 1);
whence
2st + 1 = (2s + 1)((2s )t−1 − (2s )t−2 + · · · + 1).
k
Thus if the regular p-gon is constructible, then p = 22 + 1 for some k. Fermat conjectured
k
that all numbers of the form 22 +1 are prime, and claimed to show that this is true for k ≤ 5
— for this reason primes of this form are called Fermat primes. For 0 ≤ k ≤ 4, the num-
bers p = 3, 5, 17, 257, 65537, are prime but Euler showed that 232 + 1 = (641)(6700417),
and we don’t know of any more Fermat primes.
Gauss showed that
r
√ √ √ √ √
q q q
2π 1 1 1 1
cos =− + 17+ 34 − 2 17+ 17 + 3 17 − 34 − 2 17 − 2 34 + 2 17
17 16 16 16 8
when he was 18 years old. This success encouraged him to become a mathematician.
20 1 BASIC DEFINITIONS AND RESULTS

Algebraically closed fields

We say that a polynomial splits in F [X] if it is a product of polynomials of degree 1 in
F [X].
P ROPOSITION 1.42. For a field Ω, the following statements are equivalent:
(a) Every nonconstant polynomial in Ω[X] splits in Ω[X].
(b) Every nonconstant polynomial in Ω[X] has at least one root in Ω.
(c) The irreducible polynomials in Ω[X] are those of degree 1.
(d) Every field of finite degree over Ω equals Ω.
P ROOF. The implications (a) =⇒ (b) =⇒ (c) =⇒ (a) are obvious.
(c) =⇒ (d). Let E be a finite extension of Ω. The minimum polynomial of any element α
of E has degree 1, and so α ∈ F .
(d) =⇒ (c). Let f be an irreducible polynomial in Ω[X]. Then Ω[X]/(f ) is an extension
field of Ω of degree deg(f ) (see 1.30), and so deg(f ) = 1.
D EFINITION 1.43. (a) A field Ω is said to be algebraically closed when it satisfies the
equivalent statements of Proposition 1.42.
(b) A field Ω is said to be an algebraic closure of a subfield F when it is algebraically
closed and algebraic over F .
For example, the fundamental theorem of algebra (see 5.6 below) says that C is alge-
braically closed. It is an algebraic closure of R.
P ROPOSITION 1.44. If Ω is algebraic over F and every polynomial f ∈ F [X] splits in
Ω[X], then Ω is algebraically closed (hence an algebraic closure of F ).
P ROOF. Let f ∈ Ω[X]. We have to show that f has a root in Ω. We know (see 1.21) that f
has a root α in some finite extension Ω0 of Ω. Set

f = an X n + · · · + a0 , ai ∈ Ω,

and consider the fields

F ⊂ F [a0 , . . . , an ] ⊂ F [a0 , . . . , an , α].

Each extension is algebraic and finitely generated, and hence finite (by 1.30). Therefore α
lies in a finite extension of F , and so is algebraic over F — it is a root of a polynomial
g with coefficients in F . By assumption, g splits in Ω[X], and so all its roots lie in Ω. In
particular, α ∈ Ω.
P ROPOSITION 1.45. Let Ω ⊃ F ; then

{α ∈ Ω | α algebraic over F }

is a field.
P ROOF. If α and β are algebraic over F , then F [α, β] is a field (by 1.31) of finite degree
over F (by 1.30). Thus, every element of F [α, β] is algebraic over F , including α ± β,
α/β, αβ.
Exercises 1–4 21

The field constructed in the lemma is called the algebraic closure of F in Ω.

C OROLLARY 1.46. Let Ω be an algebraically closed field. For any subfield F of Ω, the
algebraic closure of F in Ω is an algebraic closure of F.
P ROOF. From its definition, we see that it is algebraic over F and every polynomial in
F [X] splits in it. Now Proposition 1.44 shows that it is an algebraic closure of F .
Thus, when we admit the fundamental theorem of algebra (5.6), every subfield of C has
an algebraic closure (in fact, a canonical algebraic closure). Later (§6) we shall show that
the axiom of choice implies that every field has an algebraic closure.

Exercises 1–4
Exercises marked with an asterisk were required to be handed in.
1*. Let E = Q[α], where α3 − α2 + α + 2 = 0. Express (α2 + α + 1)(α2 − α) and (α − 1)−1
in the form aα2 + bα + c with a, b, c ∈ Q.
√ √
2*. Determine [Q( 2, 3) : Q].
3*. Let F be a field, and let f (X) ∈ F [X].
(a) For any a ∈ F , show that there is a polynomial q(X) ∈ F [X] such that

f (X) = q(X)(X − a) + f (a).

(b) Deduce that f (a) = 0 if and only if (X − a)|f (X).

(c) Deduce that f (X) can have at most deg f roots.
(d) Let G be a finite abelian group. If G has at most m elements of order dividing m for
each divisor m of (G : 1), show that G is cyclic.
(e) Deduce that a finite subgroup of F × , F a field, is cyclic.
4*. Show that with straight-edge, compass, and angle-trisector, it is possible to construct a
regular 7-gon.
22 2 SPLITTING FIELDS; MULTIPLE ROOTS

2 Splitting fields; multiple roots

Maps from simple extensions.
Let E and E 0 be fields containing F . An F -homomorphism is a homomorphism

ϕ : E → E0

such that ϕ(a) = a for all a ∈ F . Thus an F -homorphism maps a polynomial

X
ai1 ···im α1i1 · · · αm
im
, ai1 ···im ∈ F,

to X
ai1 ···im ϕ(α1 )i1 · · · ϕ(αm )im .
An F -isomorphism is a bijective F -homomorphism. Note that if E and E 0 have the same
finite degree over F , then every F -homomorphism is an F -isomorphism.
P ROPOSITION 2.1. Let F (α) be a simple field extension of a field F , and let Ω be a second
field containing F .
(a) Let α be transcendental over F . For every F -homomorphism ϕ : F (α) → Ω, ϕ(α) is
transcendental over F , and the map ϕ 7→ ϕ(α) defines a one-to-one correspondence

{F -homomorphisms ϕ : F (α) → Ω} ↔ {elements of Ω transcendental over F }.

(b) Let α be algebraic over F with minimum polynomial f (X). For every F -homomorphism
ϕ : F [α] → Ω, ϕ(α) is a root of f (X) in Ω, and the map ϕ 7→ ϕ(α) defines a one-
to-one correspondence

{F -homomorphisms ϕ : F [α] → Ω} ↔ {roots of f in Ω}.

In particular, the number of such maps is the number of distinct roots of f in Ω.

P ROOF. (a) To say that α is transcendental over F means that F [α] is isomorphic to the
polynomial ring in the indeterminate α with coefficients in F . For any γ ∈ Ω, there is a
unique F -homomorphism ϕ : F [α] → Ω sending α to γ (see 1.5). This extends to the field
of fractions F (α) of F [α] if and only if all nonzero elements of F [α] are sent to nonzero
elements of Ω, whichP is so if and only if γ is transcendental.
i
(b) Let f (X) = ai X
P, andi consider an F -homomorphismP ϕ : F [α] → Ω. On ap-
plying ϕ to the equation ai α = 0, we obtain the equation ai ϕ(α)i = 0, which
shows that ϕ(α) is a root of f (X) in Ω. Conversely, if γ ∈ Ω is a root of f (X), then
the map F [X] → Ω, g(X) 7→ g(γ), factors through F [X]/(f (X)). When composed with
the inverse of the isomorphism X + f (X) 7→ α : F [X]/(f (X)) → F [α], it becomes a
homomorphism F [α] → Ω sending α to γ.
We shall need a slight generalization of this result.
P ROPOSITION 2.2. Let F (α) be a simple field extension of a field F , and let ϕ0 : F → Ω
be a homomorphism of F into a second field Ω.
Splitting fields 23

(a) If α is transcendental over F , then the map ϕ 7→ ϕ(α) defines a one-to-one corre-
spondence

{extensions ϕ : F (α) → Ω of ϕ0 } ↔ {elements of Ω transcendental over ϕ0 (F )}.

(b) If α is algebraic over F , with minimum polynomial f (X), then the map ϕ 7→ ϕ(α)
defines a one-to-one correspondence

{extensions ϕ : F [α] → Ω of ϕ0 } ↔ {roots of ϕ0 f in Ω}.

In particular, the number of such maps is the number of distinct roots of ϕ0 f in Ω.

By ϕP0 f we mean the polynomial obtained by applying ϕ0 to the coefficients of f :
ai X i then ϕ0 f = ϕ(ai )X i . By an extension of ϕ0 to F (α) we mean a
P
if f =
homomorphism ϕ : F (α) → Ω such that ϕ|F = ϕ0 .
The proof of the proposition is essentially the same as that of the preceding proposition.

Splitting fields
Let f be a polynomial with Q coefficients in F . A field E containing F is said to split f if f
splits in E[X]: f (X) = m i=1 (X − αi ) with αi ∈ E. If, in addition, E is generated by the
roots of f ,
E = F [α1 , . . . , αm ],
then it is called a splitting field for f . Note that fi (X)mi (mi ≥ 1) and fi (X) have
Q Q
the same splitting fields.
√
E XAMPLE 2.3. (a) Let f (X) = aX 2 + bX + c ∈ Q[X], and let α = b2 − 4ac. The
subfield Q[α] of C is a splitting field for f .
(b) Let f (X) = X 3 + aX 2 + bX + c ∈ Q[X] be irreducible, and let α1 , α2 , α3 be
its roots in C. Then Q[α1 , α2 , α3 ] = Q[α1 , α2 ] is a splitting field for f (X). Note that
[Q[α1 ] : Q] = 3 and that [Q[α1 , α2 ] : Q[α1 ]] = 1 or 2, and so [Q[α1 , α2 ] : Q] = 3 or 6.
We’ll see later (4.2) that the degree is 3 if and only if the discriminant of f (X) is a square
in Q. For example, the discriminant of X 3 + bX + c is −4b3 − 27c2 , and so the splitting
field of X 3 + 10X + 1 has degree 6 over Q.
P ROPOSITION 2.4. Every polynomial f ∈ F [X] has a splitting field Ef , and

[Ef : F ] ≤ (deg f )!.

P ROOF. Let g1 be an irreducible factor of f (X), and let

F1 = F [X]/(g1 (X)) = F [α1 ], α1 = X + (g1 ).

Then α1 is a root of f (X) in F1 , and we define f1 (X) to be the quotient f (X)/(X − α1 )

(in F1 [X]). The same construction applied to f1 ∈ F1 [X] gives us a field F2 = F1 [α2 ] with
α2 a root of f1 (and hence also of f ). By continuing in this fashion, we obtain a splitting
field Ef .
Let n = deg f . Then [F1 : F ] = deg g1 ≤ n, [F2 : F1 ] ≤ n − 1, ..., and so [Ef : E] ≤
n!.
24 2 SPLITTING FIELDS; MULTIPLE ROOTS

R EMARK 2.5. For a given integer n, there may or may not exist polynomials of degree n
in F [X] whose splitting field has degree n! — this depends on F . For example, there do
not for n > 1 if F = C (see 5.6), nor for n > 2 if F = Fp (see 4.18) or F = R. However,
later (4.28) we shall see how to write down large numbers of polynomials (in fact infinitely
many) of degree n in Q[X] whose splitting fields have degree n!.
E XAMPLE 2.6. (a) Let f (X) = (X p − 1)/(X − 1) ∈ Q[X], p prime. If ζ is one root of f ,
then the remainder are ζ 2 , ζ 3 , . . . , ζ p−1 , and so the splitting field of f is Q[ζ].
(b) Suppose F is of characteristic p, and let f = X p − X − a ∈ F [X]. If α is one root
of f , then the remainder are α + 1, ..., α + p − 1, and so any field generated over F by α is
a splitting field for f (and F [α] ∼ = F [X]/(f )).
n
(c) If α is one root of X − a, then the remaining roots are all of the form ζα, where
ζ n = 1. Therefore, if F contains all the nth roots of 1 (by which we mean that X n − 1 splits
in F [X]), then F [α] is a splitting field for X n − a. Note that if p is the characteristic of F ,
then X p − 1 = (X − 1)p , and so F automatically contains all the pth roots of 1.
P ROPOSITION 2.7. Let f ∈ F [X]. Assume that E ⊃ F is generated by roots of f , and let
Ω ⊃ F be a field in which f splits.
(a) There exists at least one F -homomorphism ϕ : E → Ω.
(b) The number of F -homomorphisms E → Ω is ≤ [E : F ], and equals [E : F ] if f has
deg(f ) distinct roots in Ω.
(c) If E and Ω are both splitting fields for f , then each F -homomorphism E → Ω is an
isomorphism. In particular, any two splitting fields for f are F -isomorphic.
P ROOF. By f having deg(f ) distinct roots in Ω, we mean that

f (X) = deg(f )
Q
i=1 (X − αi ), αi ∈ Ω, αi 6= αj if i 6= j.

If f has this property, then so also does any factor of f in Ω[X].

By assumption, E = F [α1 , ..., αm ] with the αi roots of f (X). The minimum polyno-
mial of α1 is an irreducible polynomial f1 dividing f . As f (hence f1 ) splits in Ω, Propo-
sition 2.1 shows that there exists an F -homomorphism ϕ1 : F [α1 ] → Ω, and the number of
ϕ1 ’s is ≤ deg(f1 ) = [F [α1 ] : F ], with equality holding when f1 has distinct roots in Ω.
The minimum polynomial of α2 over F [α1 ] is an irreducible factor f2 of f in F [α1 ][X].
According to Proposition 2.2, each ϕ1 extends to a homomorphism ϕ2 : F [α1 , α2 ] → Ω,
and the number of extensions is ≤ deg(f2 ) = [F [α1 , α2 ] : F [α1 ]], with equality holding
when f2 has deg(f2 ) distinct roots in Ω.
On combining these statements we conclude that there exists an F -homomorphism
ϕ : F [α1 , α2 ] → Ω, and that the number of such homomorphisms is ≤ [F [α1 , α2 ] : F ],
with equality holding when f has deg(f ) distinct roots in Ω.
After repeating the argument several times, we obtain (a) and (b).
Any homomorphism E → Ω is injective, and so, if there exists such a homomorphism,
[E : F ] ≤ [Ω : F ]. Now (a) shows that if E and Ω are both splitting fields for f , then
[E : F ] = [Ω : F ], and so any F -homomorphism E → Ω is an isomorphism.
C OROLLARY 2.8. Let E and L be extension fields of F , with E finite over F .
(a) The number of F -homomorphisms E → L is at most [E : F ].
Multiple roots 25

(b) There exists a finite extension Ω/L and an F -homomorphism E → Ω.

P ROOF. Write E = F [α1 , . . . , αm ], and f be the product of the minimum polynomials
of the αi . Let Ω be a splitting field for f regarded as an element of L[X]. The propo-
sition shows that there is an F -homomorphism E → Ω, and the number of such homo-
morphisms is ≤ [E : F ]. Since every F -homomorphism E → L can be regarded as an
F -homomorphism E → Ω, this proves both (a) and (b).
R EMARK 2.9. Let E1 , E2 , . . . , Em be finite extensions of F , and let L be an extension of
F . The corollary implies that there is a finite extension Ω/L containing an isomorphic copy
of every Ei .
Warning! If E and E 0 are both splitting fields of f ∈ F [X], then we know there is
an F -isomorphism E → E 0 , but there will in general be no preferred such isomorphism.
Error and confusion can result if you simply identify the fields.

Multiple roots
Let f, g ∈ F [X]. Even when f and g have no common factor in F [X], one might expect
that they could acquire a common factor in Ω[X] for some Ω ⊃ F . In fact, this doesn’t
happen — greatest common divisors don’t change when the field is extended.
P ROPOSITION 2.10. Let f and g be polynomials in F [X], and let Ω ⊃ F . If r(X) is
the gcd of f and g computed in F [X], then it is also the gcd of f and g in Ω[X]. In
particular, distinct monic irreducible polynomials in F [X] do not acquire a common root
in any extension field of F.
P ROOF. Let rF (X) and rΩ (X) be the greatest common divisors of f and g in F [X] and
Ω[X] respectively. Certainly rF (X)|rΩ (X) in Ω[X], but Euclid’s algorithm (1.8) shows
that there are polynomials a and b in F [X] such that

a(X)f (X) + b(X)g(X) = rF (X),

and so rΩ (X) divides rF (X) in Ω[X].

For the second statement, note that the hypotheses imply that gcd(f, g) = 1 (in F [X]),
and so f and g can’t acquire a common factor in any extension field.
The proposition allows us to write gcd(f, g), without reference to a field.
Let f ∈ F [X], and let
r
Y r
X
mi
f (X) = a (X − αi ) , αi distinct, mi ≥ 1, mi = deg(f ), (*)
i=1 i=1

be a splitting of f in some extension field Ω of F . We say that αi is a root of f of multiplicity

mi . If mi > 1, αi is said to be a multiple root of f , and otherwise it is a simple root.
The unordered sequence of integers m1 , . . . , mr in (*) is independent of the extension
field Ω in which f splits. Certainly, it is unchanged when Ω is replaced with its subfield
F [α1 , . . . , αm ], but F [α1 , . . . , αm ] is a splitting field for f , and any two splitting fields are
isomorphic (2.7c).
26 2 SPLITTING FIELDS; MULTIPLE ROOTS

We say that f has a multiple root when at least of the mi > 1, and we say that f has
only simple roots when all mi = 1.
We wish to determine when a polynomial has a multiple root. If f has a multiple factor
fi (X)mi with some mi > 1, then obviously it will have a multiple
Q
in F [X], sayQf =
root. If f = fi with the fi distinct monic irreducible polynomials, then Proposition 2.10
shows that f has a multiple root if and only if at least one of the fi has a multiple root.
Thus, it suffices to determine when an irreducible polynomial has a multiple root.
E XAMPLE 2.11. Let F be of characteristic p 6= 0, and assume that F has contains an
element a that is not a pth -power, for example, a = T in the field Fp (T ). Then X p − a
1.4
is irreducible in F [X], but X p − a = (X − α)p in its splitting field. Thus an irreducible
polynomial can have multiple roots.
Define the derivative f 0 (X) of a polynomial f (X) = ai X i to be iai X i−1 . When
P P
f has coefficients in R, this agrees with the definition in calculus. The usual rules for
differentiating sums and products still hold, but note that in characteristic p the derivative
of X p is zero.
P ROPOSITION 2.12. For a nonconstant irreducible polynomial f in F [X], the following
statements are equivalent:
(a) f has a multiple root;
(b) gcd(f, f 0 ) 6= 1;
(c) F has characteristic p 6= 0 and f is a polynomial in X p ;
(d) all the roots of f are multiple.
P ROOF. (a) =⇒ (b). Let α be a multiple root of f , and write f = (X − α)m g(X), m > 1,
in some splitting field. Then

f 0 (X) = m(X − α)m−1 g(X) + (X − α)m g 0 (X).

Hence f 0 (α) = 0, and so gcd(f, f 0 ) 6= 1.

(b) =⇒ (c). Since f is irreducible and deg(f 0 ) < deg(f ),

gcd(f, f 0 ) 6= 1 =⇒ f 0 = 0 =⇒ f is a polynomial in X p .

(c) =⇒ (d). Suppose f (X) = g(X p ), and let g(X) = (X − ai )mi in some splitting
Q
field for f . Then
Y Y
f (X) = g(X p ) = (X p − ai )mi = (X − αi )pmi

where αip = ai . Hence every root of f (X) has multiplicity at least p.

(d) =⇒ (a). Obvious.
D EFINITION 2.13. A polynomial f ∈ F [X] is said to be separable8 over F if none of its
irreducible factors has a multiple root (in a splitting field).
The preceding discussion shows that f ∈ F [X] will be separable unless
8
This is the standard definition, although some authors, for example, Dummit and Foote 1991, 13.5, give
a different definition.
Exercises 5–10 27

(a) the characteristic of F is p 6= 0, and

(b) at least one of the irreducible factors of f is a polynomial in X p .
Note that, if f ∈ F [X] is separable, then it remains separable over every field Ω containing
F (condition (b) of 2.12 continues to hold).

D EFINITION 2.14. A field F is said to be perfect if all polynomials in F [X] are separable
(equivalently, all irreducible polynomials in F [X] are separable).

P ROPOSITION 2.15. A field of characteristic zero is always perfect, and a field F of char-
acteristic p 6= 0 is perfect if and only if F = F p , i.e., every element of F is a pth power.
P ROOF. We may suppose F is of characteristic p 6= 0. If F contains an element a that is
not a pth power, then X p − a ∈ F [X] is not separable (see 2.11). Conversely, if F = F p,
polynomial in X p with coefficients in F is a pth power in F [X] — ai X p =
P
then
P every p p
( bi X) if ai = bi — and so it is not irreducible.

E XAMPLE 2.16. (a) A finite field F is perfect, because the Frobenius endomorphism
a 7→ ap : F → F is injective and therefore surjective (by counting).
(b) A field that can be written as a union of perfect fields is perfect. Therefore, every
field algebraic over Fp is perfect.
(c) Every algebraically closed field is perfect.
(d) If F0 has characteristic p 6= 0, then F = F0 (X) is not perfect, because X is not a pth
power.

Exercises 5–10
5*. Let F be a field of characteristic 6= 2.
(a) Let E be quadratic extension of F (i.e., [E : F ] = 2); show that

S(E) = {a ∈ F × | a is a square in E}

is a subgroup of F × containing F ×2 .
(b) Let E and E 0 be quadratic extensions of F ; show that there is an F -isomorphism
ϕ : E → E 0 if and only if S(E) = S(E 0 ).
(c) Show that there is an infinite sequence of fields E1 , E2 , . . . with Ei a quadratic ex-
tension of Q such that Ei is not isomorphic to Ej for i 6= j.
(d) Let p be an odd prime. Show that, up to isomorphism, there is exactly one field with
p2 elements.
6*. (a) Let F be a field of characteristic p. Show that if X p − X − a is reducible in F [X],
then it splits in F [X].
(b) For any prime p, show that X p − X − 1 is irreducible in Q[X].
7*. Construct a splitting field for X 5 − 2 over Q. What is its degree over Q?
m
8*. Find a splitting field of X p − 1 ∈ Fp [X]. What is its degree over Fp ?
9. Let f ∈ F [X], where F is a field of characteristic 0. Let d(X) = gcd(f, f 0 ). Show that
g(X) = f (X)d(X)−1 has the same roots as f (X), and these are all simple roots of g(X).
28 2 SPLITTING FIELDS; MULTIPLE ROOTS

10*. Let f (X) be an irreducible polynomial in F [X], where F has characteristic p. Show
e
that f (X) can be written f (X) = g(X p ) where g(X) is irreducible and separable. Deduce
that every root of f (X) has the same multiplicity pe in any splitting field.
 29

3 The fundamental theorem of Galois theory

In this section, we prove the fundamental theorem of Galois theory, which gives a one-to-
one correspondence between the subfields of the splitting field of a separable polynomial
and the subgroups of the Galois group of f .

Groups of automorphisms of fields

Consider fields E ⊃ F . An F -isomorphism E → E is called an F -automorphism of E.
The F -automorphisms of E form a group, which we denote Aut(E/F ).

E XAMPLE 3.1. (a) There are two obvious automorphisms of C, namely, the identity map
and complex conjugation. We’ll see later (8.18) that by using the Axiom of Choice one can
construct uncountably many more.
(b) Let E = C(X). Then Aut(E/C) consists of the maps9 X 7→ aX+b cX+d
, ad − bc 6= 0
(Jacobson 1964, IV, Theorem 7, p158), and so

Aut(E/C) = PGL2 (C),

the group of invertible 2×2 matrices with complex coefficients modulo its centre. Analysts
will note that this is the same as the automorphism group of the Riemann sphere. This
is not a coincidence: the field of meromorphic functions on the Riemann sphere P1C is
C(z) ∼= C(X), and so there is certainly a map Aut(P1C ) → Aut(C(z)/C), which one can
show to be an isomorphism.
(c) The group Aut(C(X1 , X2 )/C) is quite complicated — there is a map

PGL3 (C) = Aut(P2C ) ,→ Aut(C(X1 , X2 )/C),

but this is very far from being surjective. When there are more X’s, the group is unknown.
(The group Aut(C(X1 , . . . , Xn )/C) is the group of birational automorphisms of PnC . It is
called the Cremona group. Its study is part of algebraic geometry.)
In this section, we shall be concerned with the groups Aut(E/F ) when E is a finite
extension of F .

P ROPOSITION 3.2. If E is a splitting field of a monic separable polynomial f ∈ F [X],

then Aut(E/F ) has order [E : F ].
Q mi
P ROOF. Let f = fi , with the fi monic
Q irreducible and distinct. The splitting field
of f is the same as the splitting field of fi . Hence we may assume f is a product of
distinct monic separable irreducible polynomials, and so has deg f distinct roots in E.
Now Proposition 2.7 shows that there are [E : F ] distinct F -homomorphisms E → E.
Because E has finite degree over F , they are automatically isomorphisms.

E XAMPLE 3.3. (a) Consider a simple extension E = F [α], and let f be a polynomial with
coefficients in F having α as a root. If f has no root in E other than α, then Aut(E/F ) = 1.
9
By this I mean the map that sends a rational function f (X) to f ( aX+b
cX+d ).
30 3 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF GALOIS THEORY

√ √
For example, if 3 2 denotes the real cube root of 2, then Aut(Q[ 3 2]/Q) = 1. Thus, in the
proposition, it is essential that E be a splitting field.
(b) Let F be a field of characteristic p 6= 0, and let a be an element of F that is not a pth
power. Then f = X p − a has only one root in a splitting field E, and so Aut(E/F ) = 1.
Thus, in the proposition, it is essential that E be a splitting field of a separable polynomial.
When G is a group of automorphisms of a field E, we write
E G = Inv(G) = {α ∈ E | σα = α, all σ ∈ G}.
It is a subfield of E, called the subfield of G-invariants of E or the fixed field of G.
In this section, we shall show that, when E is the splitting field of a separable polyno-
mial in F [X] and G = Aut(E/F ), then the maps
M 7→ Aut(E/M ), H 7→ Inv(H)
give a one-to-one correspondence between the set of intermediate fields M , F ⊂ M ⊂ E,
and the set of subgroups H of G.
P ROPOSITION 3.4 (E. A RTIN ). Let G be a finite group of automorphisms of a field E, and
let F = E G ; then [E : F ] ≤ (G : 1).
P ROOF. Let G = {σ1 = 1, . . . , σm }, and let α1 , . . . , αn be n > m elements of E. We shall
show that the αi are linearly dependent over F . In the system of linear equations (*)
σ1 (α1 )X1 + · · · + σ1 (αn )Xn = 0
··· ···
σm (α1 )X1 + · · · + σm (αn )Xn = 0
there are m equations and n > m unknowns, and hence there are nontrivial solutions in E.
Choose a nontrivial solution (c1 , . . . , cn ) with the fewest possible nonzero elements. After
renumbering the αi ’s, we may suppose that c1 6= 0, and then (after multiplying by a scalar)
that c1 ∈ F . With these normalizations, we’ll show that all ci ∈ F . Then the first equation
α1 c1 + · · · + αn cn = 0
(recall that σ1 = 1) will be a linear relation on the αi .
If not all ci are in F , then σk (ci ) 6= ci for some k and i, k 6= 1 6= i. On applying σk to
the equations
σ1 (α1 )c1 + · · · + σ1 (αn )cn = 0
··· ···
σm (α1 )c1 + · · · + σm (αn )cn = 0
and using that {σk σ1 , . . . , σk σm } is a permutation of {σ1 , . . . , σm }, we find that
(c1 , σk (c2 ), . . . , σk (ci ), . . .)
is also a solution to the system of equations (*). On subtracting it from the first, we obtain
a solution (0, . . . , ci − σk (ci ), . . .), which is nonzero (look at the ith coordinate), but has
more zeros than the first solution (look at the first coordinate) — contradiction.
Separable, normal, and Galois extensions 31

C OROLLARY 3.5. For any finite group G of automorphisms of a field E, G = Aut(E/E G ).

P ROOF. We know that:
– [E : E G ] ≤ (G : 1) (by 3.4),
– G ⊂ Aut(E/E G ) (obvious),
– (Aut(E/E G ) : 1) ≤ [E : E G ] (by 2.8a).
The inequalities

[E : E G ] ≤ (G : 1) ≤ (Aut(E/E G ) : 1) ≤ [E : E G ]

must be equalities, and so G = Aut(E/E G ).

Separable, normal, and Galois extensions

D EFINITION 3.6. An algebraic extension E/F is said to be separable if the minimum
polynomial of every element of E is separable; otherwise, it is inseparable.
Thus, an algebraic extension E/F is separable if every irreducible polynomial in F [X]
having a root in E is separable, and it is inseparable if
– F is nonperfect, and in particular has characteristic p 6= 0, and
– there is an element α of E whose minimal polynomial is of the form g(X p ), g ∈
F [X].
For example, E = Fp (T ) is an inseparable extension of Fp (T p ).
D EFINITION 3.7. An algebraic extension E/F is normal if the minimum polynomial of
every element of E splits in E[X].
Thus, an algebraic extension E/F is normal if every irreducible polynomial f ∈ F [X]
having a root in E splits in E.
Let f be an irreducible polynomial of degree m in F [X]. If f has a root in E, then

E/F separable =⇒ roots of f distinct 
=⇒ f has m distinct roots in E.
E/F normal =⇒ f splits in E


Therefore, E/F is normal and separable if and only if, for each α ∈ E, the minimum
polynomial of α has [F [α] : F ] distinct roots in E.
√ √
E XAMPLE 3.8. (a) The field Q[ 3 2], where 3 2 is the real cube root of 2, is separable but
not normal over Q (X 3 − 2 doesn’t split in Q[α]).
(b) The field Fp (T ) is normal but not separable over Fp (T p ) — the minimum polyno-
mial of T is the inseparable polynomial X p − T p .
D EFINITION 3.9. Let F be a field. A finite extension E of F is said to Galois if F is the
fixed field of the group of F -automorphisms of E. This group is then called the Galois
group of E over F , and it is denoted Gal(E/F ).
T HEOREM 3.10. For an extension E/F , the following statements are equivalent:
(a) E is the splitting field of a separable polynomial f ∈ F [X].
(b) F = E G for some finite group G of automorphisms of E.
32 3 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF GALOIS THEORY

(c) E is normal and separable, and of finite degree, over F .

(d) E is Galois over F .

P ROOF. (a) =⇒ (b,d). Let G = Aut(E/F ), and let F 0 = E G ⊃ F . Then E is also the
splitting field of f regarded as a polynomial with coefficients in F 0 , and f is still separable
when it is regarded in this way. Hence Proposition 3.2 shows that

[E : F 0 ] = # Aut(E/F 0 )

[E : F ] = # Aut(E/F ).
Since Aut(E/F 0 ) = Aut(E/F ) = G, we conclude that F = F 0 , and so F = E G .
(d) =⇒ (b). According to (2.8a) , Gal(E/F ) is finite, and so this is obvious.
(b) =⇒ (c). By Proposition 3.4, we know that [E : F ] ≤ (G : 1); in particular, it is
finite. Let α ∈ E and let f be the minimum polynomial of α; we have to prove that f splits
into distinct factors in E[X]. Let {α1 = α, ..., αm } be the orbit of α under the action of G
on E, and let Y
g(X) = (X − αi ) = X m + a1 X m−1 + · · · + am .

Any σ ∈ G merely permutes the αi . Since the ai are symmetric polynomials in the αi ,
we find that σai = ai for all i, and so g(X) ∈ F [X]. It is monic, and g(α) = 0, and
so f (X)|g(X) (see the definition of the minimum polynomial p14). But also g(X)|f (X),
because each αi is a root of f (X) (if αi = σα, then applying σ to the equation f (α) = 0
gives f (αi ) = 0). We conclude that f (X) = g(X), and so f (X) splits into distinct factors
in E.
(c) =⇒ (a). Because E has finite degree over F , it is generated over F by a finite
number of elements, say, E = F [α1 , ..., αm ], αi ∈ E, αi algebraic over F . Let fi be the
minimum polynomial of αi over Q F . Because E is normal over F , each fi splits in E, and
so E is the splitting field of f = fi . Because E is separable over F , f is separable.

R EMARK 3.11. Let E be Galois over F with Galois group G, and let α ∈ E. The elements
α1 = α, α2 , ..., αm of the orbit of α are called the conjugates of α. In the course of the
Q of (b) =⇒ (c) of the above theorem we showed that the minimum polynomial of α
proof
is (X − αi ).

C OROLLARY 3.12. Every finite separable extension E of F is contained in a finite Galois

extension.

P ROOF. Let E = F [α1 , ..., αQ m ]. Let fi be the minimum polynomial of αi over F , and take
E 0 to be the splitting field of fi over F .

C OROLLARY 3.13. Let E ⊃ M ⊃ F ; if E is Galois over F , then it is Galois over M.

P ROOF. We know E is the splitting field of some f ∈ F [X]; it is also the splitting field of
f regarded as an element of M [X].
The fundamental theorem of Galois theory 33

R EMARK 3.14. When we drop the assumption that E is separable over F , we can still say
something. Let E be a finite extension of F . An element α ∈ E is said to be separable
over F if its minimum polynomial over F is separable. The elements of E separable over
F form a subfield E 0 of E that is separable over F ; write [E : F ]sep = [E 0 : F ] (separable
degree of E over F ). If Ω is an algebraically closed field containing F , then the number of
F -homomorphisms E → Ω is [E : F ]sep . When E ⊃ M ⊃ F (finite extensions),

[E : F ]sep = [E : M ]sep [M : F ]sep .

In particular,

E is separable over F ⇐⇒ E is separable over M and M is separable over F.

For proofs, see Jacobson 1964, I 10.

D EFINITION 3.15. A finite extension E ⊃ F is called a cyclic, abelian, ..., solvable

extension if it is Galois with cyclic, abelian, ..., solvable Galois group.

The fundamental theorem of Galois theory

T HEOREM 3.16 (F UNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF G ALOIS THEORY ). Let E be a Galois
extension of F , and let G = Gal(E/F ). The maps H 7→ E H and M 7→ Gal(E/M )
are inverse bijections between the set of subgroups of G and the set of intermediate fields
between E and F :

{subgroups of G} ↔ {intermediate fields F ⊂ M ⊂ E}.

Moreover,
(a) the correspondence is inclusion-reversing: H1 ⊃ H2 ⇐⇒ E H1 ⊂ E H2 ;
(b) indexes equal degrees: (H1 : H2 ) = [E H2 : E H1 ];
−1
(c) σHσ −1 ↔ σM , i.e., E σHσ = σ(E H ); Gal(E/σM ) = σ Gal(E/M )σ −1 .
(d) H is normal in G ⇐⇒ E H is normal (hence Galois) over F , in which case

Gal(E H /F ) = G/H.

P ROOF. For the first statement, we have to show that H 7→ E H and M 7→ Gal(E/M ) are
inverse maps.
Let H be a subgroup of G. Then E is Galois over E H by (3.13), which means that
Gal(E/E H ) = H.
Let M be an intermediate field. Then E is Galois over M by (3.13), which means that
Gal(E/M )
E =M.
(a) We have the obvious implications:

H1 ⊃ H2 =⇒ E H1 ⊂ E H2 =⇒ Gal(E/E H1 ) ⊃ Gal(E/E H2 ).

But Gal(E/E Hi ) = Hi .
34 3 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF GALOIS THEORY

(b) The field E is Galois over E H1 , hence the splitting field of a separable polynomial
(3.10), and so (3.2) shows that [E : E H1 ] = Gal(E/E H1 ). This proves (b) in the case
H2 = 1, and the general case follows, using that

(H1 : 1) = (H1 : H2 )(H2 : 1) and [E : E H1 ] = [E : E H2 ][E H2 : E H1 ].

(c) For τ ∈ G and α ∈ E, τ α = α ⇐⇒ στ σ −1 (σα) = σα. Therefore, Gal(E/σM ) =

σ Gal(E/M )σ −1 , and so σ Gal(E/M )σ −1 ↔ σM.
(d) Let H be a normal subgroup of G, and let M = E H . Because σHσ −1 = H for all
σ ∈ G, we must have σM = M for all σ ∈ G, i.e., the action of G on E stabilizes M . We
therefore have a homomorphism

σ 7→ σ|M : G → Aut(M/F )
0
whose kernel is H. Let G0 be the image. Then F = M G , and so M is Galois over F
(by Theorem 3.10). Thus, F = M Gal(M/F ) , and the first part of the theorem applied to the
M/F implies that Gal(M/F ) = G0 .
Conversely, assume that M is normal over F , and write M = F [α1 , ..., αm ]. For σ ∈ G,
σαi is a root of the minimum polynomial of αi over F , and so lies in M . Hence σM = M ,
and this implies that σHσ −1 = H (by (c)).
R EMARK 3.17. The theorem shows that there is an order reversing bijection between the
intermediate fields of E/F and the subgroups of G. Using this we can read off more results.
(a) Let M1 , M2 , . . . , Mr be intermediate fields, and let Hi be the subgroup correspond-
ing to Mi (i.e., Hi = Gal(E/Mi )). Then (by definition) M1 M2 · · · Mr is the smallest field
T all Mi ; hence it must correspond to the largest subgroup contained in all Hi ,
containing
which is Hi . Therefore

Gal(E/M1 · · · Mr ) = H1 ∩ ... ∩ Hr .

(b) Let H be a subgroup of G and let M = E H . The largest normal subgroup contained
in H is N = ∩σ∈G σHσ −1 (see GT 4.10), and so E N , which is the composite of the fields
σM , is the smallest normal extension of F containing M . It is called the normal, or Galois,
closure of M in E.
P ROPOSITION 3.18. Let E and L be field extensions of F contained in some common field.
If E/F is Galois, then EL/L and E/E ∩ L are Galois, and the map

σ 7→ σ|E : Gal(EL/L) → Gal(E/E ∩ L)

is an isomorphism.
P ROOF : Because E is Galois over F , it is the splitting field of a
separable polynomial f ∈ F [X]. Then EL is the splitting field of f EL
over L, and E is the splitting field of f over E ∩ L. Hence EL/L and @=
@
E/E ∩ L are Galois.
E L
Any automorphism σ of EL fixing the elements of L maps roots of
=
f to roots of f , and so σE = E. There is therefore a homomorphism @
@
E∩L
σ 7→ σ|E : Gal(EL/L) → Gal(E/F ).

F
The fundamental theorem of Galois theory 35

If σ ∈ Gal(EL/L) fixes the elements of E, then it fixes the elements

of EL, and hence is 1. Thus, σ 7→ σ|E is injective.
If α ∈ E is fixed by all σ ∈ Gal(EL/L), then α ∈ L ∩ E. By the fundamental theorem,
this implies that the image of σ 7→ σ|E is Gal(E/E ∩ L). 
C OROLLARY 3.19. Suppose, in the proposition, that L is finite over F . Then
[E : F ][L : F ]
[EL : F ] = .
[E ∩ L : F ]
P ROOF. According to 1.20,
[EL : F ] = [EL : L][L : F ],
but
3.18 1.20 [E : F ]
[EL : L] = [E : E ∩ L] = .
[E ∩ L : F ]

P ROPOSITION 3.20. Let E1 and E2 be field extensions of F contained in some common

field. If E1 and E2 are Galois over F , then E1 E2 and E1 ∩ E2 are Galois over F , and
σ 7→ (σ|E1 , σ|E2 ) : Gal(E1 E2 /F ) → Gal(E1 /F ) ×Gal(E2 /F )
is an isomorphism of Gal(E1 E2 /F ) onto the subgroup
H = {(σ1 , σ2 ) | σ1 |E1 ∩ E2 = σ2 |E1 ∩ E2 }
of Gal(E1 /F ) ×Gal(E2 /F ).
P ROOF : Let a ∈ E1 ∩ E2 , and let f be its minimum polynomial
over F . Then f has deg f distinct roots in E1 and deg f distinct roots E1 E2
in E2 . Since f can have at most deg f roots in E1 E2 , it follows that it @
@
has deg f distinct roots in E1 ∩ E2 . This shows that E1 ∩ E2 is normal
E1 E2
and separable over F , and hence Galois (3.10).
As E1 and E2 are Galois over F , they are splitting fields of sep- @
@
arable polynomials f1 , f2 ∈ F [X]. Now E1 E2 is a splitting field for E1 ∩ E2
f1 f2 , and hence it also is Galois over F .
The map σ 7→ (σ|E1 , σ|E2 ) is clearly an injective homomorphism,
F
and its image is contained in H. We prove that the image is the whole
of H by counting.
From the fundamental theorem,
Gal(E2 /F )/ Gal(E2 /E1 ∩ E2 ) ∼
= Gal(E1 ∩ E2 /F ),
and so, for each σ ∈ Gal(E1 /F ), σ|E1 ∩ E2 has exactly [E2 : E1 ∩ E2 ] extensions to an
element of Gal(E2 /F ). Therefore,
[E1 : F ] · [E2 : F ]
(H : 1) = [E1 : F ][E2 : E1 ∩ E2 ] = ,
[E1 ∩ E2 : F ]
which equals [E1 E2 : F ] by (3.19). 
36 3 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF GALOIS THEORY

Examples
E XAMPLE 3.21. We analyse the extension Q[ζ]/Q, where ζ is a primitive 7th root of 1, say
ζ = e2πi/7 .
Note that Q[ζ] is the splitting field of the polynomial
7
X − 1, and that ζ has minimum polynomial Q[ζ]
hσ 3 i @ hσ2 i
X6 + X5 + X4 + X3 + X2 + X + 1 @
@√
Q[ζ + ζ] Q[ −7]
(see 1.41). Therefore, Q[ζ] is Galois of degree 6 over Q. For
any σ ∈ G, σζ = ζ i , some i, 1 ≤ i ≤ 6, and the map σ 7→ i @
× hσi/hσ 3 i@ hσi/hσ 2 i
defines an isomorphism Gal(Q[ζ]/Q) → (Z/7Z) . Let σ @
be the element of Gal(Q[ζ]/Q) such that σζ = ζ 3 . Then σ Q
×
generates Gal(Q[ζ]/Q) because the class of 3 in (Z/7Z)
generates it (the powers of 3 mod 7 are 3, 2, 6, 4, 5, 1). We investigate the subfields of Q[ζ]
corresponding to the subgroups hσ 3 i and hσ 2 i.
Note that σ 3 ζ = ζ 6 = ζ (complex conjugate of ζ). The subfield of Q[ζ] corresponding
to hσ 3 i is Q[ζ + ζ], and ζ + ζ = 2 cos 2π7
. Since hσ 3 i is a normal subgroup of hσi, Q[ζ + ζ]
is Galois over Q, with Galois group hσi/hσ 3 i. The conjugates of α1 =df ζ + ζ are α3 =
ζ 3 + ζ −3 , α2 = ζ 2 + ζ −2 . Direct calculation shows that

α1 + α2 + α3 = 6i=1 ζ i = −1,
P

α1 α2 + α1 α3 + α2 α3 = −2,
α1 α2 α3 = (ζ + ζ 6 )(ζ 2 + ζ 5 )(ζ 3 + ζ 4 )
= (ζ + ζ 3 + ζ 4 + ζ 6 )(ζ 3 + ζ 4 )
= (ζ 4 + ζ 6 + 1 + ζ 2 + ζ 5 + 1 + ζ + ζ 3 )
= 1.

Hence the minimum polynomial10 of ζ + ζ is

g(X) = X 3 + X 2 − 2X − 1.
α1
The minimum polynomial of cos 2π
7
= 2
is therefore

g(2X)
= X 3 + X 2 /2 − X/2 − 1/8.
8
The subfield of Q[ζ] corresponding to hσ 2 i is generated by β√= ζ + ζ 2 + ζ 4 . Let
β 0 = σβ. Then (β − β 0 )2 = −7. Hence the field fixed by hσ 2 i is Q[ −7].

E XAMPLE 3.22. We compute the Galois group of a splitting field E of X 5 − 2 ∈ Q[X].

10
More directly, on setting X = ζ + ζ in

(X 3 − 3X) + (X 2 − 2) + X + 1

one obtains 1 + ζ + ζ 2 + · · · + ζ 6 = 0.
Constructible numbers revisited 37

Recall from Exercise 7 that E = Q[ζ, α] where ζ is a primi- Q[ζ, α]

tive 5th root of 1, and α is a root of X 5 −2. For example, we could
N @H
take E to be the splitting field of X 5 − 2 in C, with ζ = e2πi/5 @
@
th
and α equal to the real 5 root of 2. We have the picture at right. Q[ζ] Q[α]
The degrees
@
@
G/N
[Q[ζ] : Q] = 4, [Q[α] : Q] = 5. @
Q
Because 4 and 5 are relatively prime,

[Q[ζ, α] : Q] = 20.

Hence G = Gal(Q[ζ, α]/Q) has order 20, and the subgroups N and H corresponding to
Q[ζ] and Q[α] have orders 5 and 4 respectively. Because Q[ζ] is normal over Q (it is the
splitting field of X 5 − 1), N is normal in G. Because Q[ζ] · Q[α] = Q[ζ, α], we have
H ∩ N = 1, and so G = N oθ H. Moreover, H ∼ = G/N ∼ = (Z/5Z)× , which is cyclic,
being generated by the class of 2. Let τ be the generator of H corresponding to 2 under this
isomorphism, and let σ be a generator of N . Thus σ(α) is another root of X 5 − 2, which
we can take to be ζα (after possibly replacing σ by a power). Hence:
 
τ ζ = ζ2 σζ = ζ
τα = α σα = ζα.

Note that τ στ −1 (α) = τ σα = τ (ζα) = ζ 2 α and it fixes ζ; therefore τ στ −1 = σ 2 . Thus G

has generators σ and τ and defining relations

σ 5 = 1, τ 4 = 1, τ στ −1 = σ 2 .

The subgroup H has five conjugates, which correspond to the five fields Q[ζ i α],

σ i Hσ −i ↔ σ i Q[α] = Q[ζ i α], 1 ≤ i ≤ 5.

Constructible numbers revisited

Earlier, we showed (1.36) that a number α is constructible if and only if it is contained in a
√ √
field Q[ a1 ] · · · [ ar ]. In particular

α constructible =⇒ [Q[α] : Q] = 2s some s.

Now we can prove a partial converse to this last statement.

T HEOREM 3.23. If α is contained in a Galois extension of Q of degree 2r , then it is con-

structible.
P ROOF. Suppose α ∈ E where E is Galois over Q of degree 2r , and let G = Gal(E/Q).
From a theorem on the structure of p-groups (GT 6.7), we know there will be a sequence
of groups
{1} = G0 ⊂ G1 ⊂ G2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Gr = G
38 3 THE FUNDAMENTAL THEOREM OF GALOIS THEORY

with Gi /Gi−1 of order 2. Correspondingly, there will be a sequence of fields,

E = E0 ⊃ E1 ⊃ E2 ⊃ · · · ⊃ Er = Q
with Ei−1 of degree 2 over Ei .
But the next lemma shows that every quadratic extension is obtained by extracting a
square root, and we know (1.35) that square roots can be constructed using only a ruler and
compass. This proves the theorem.
L EMMA√3.24. Let E/F be a quadratic extension of fields of characteristic 6= 2. Then
E = F [ d] for some d ∈ F .
P ROOF. √Let α ∈ E, α ∈ / F , and√let X 2 + bX + c be the minimum polynomial of α. Then
2
α = −b± 2b −4c , and so E = F [ b2 − 4c].
C OROLLARY 3.25. If p is a prime of the form 2k + 1, then cos 2π
p
is constructible.

P ROOF. The field Q[e2πi/p ] is Galois over Q with Galois group G ∼

= (Z/pZ)× , which has
order p − 1 = 2k .
Thus a regular p-gon, p prime, is constructible if and only if p is a Fermat prime,
r
i.e., of the form 22 + 1. For example, we have proved that the regular 65537-polygon is
2π
constructible, without (happily) having to exhibit an explicit formula for cos 65537 .

The Galois group of a polynomial

If the polynomial f ∈ F [X] is separable, then its splitting field Ff is Galois over F , and
we call Gal(FQ f /F ) the Galois group Gf of f.
Let f = ni=1 (X − αi ) in a splitting field Ff . We know elements of Gal(Ff /F )
map roots of f to roots of f , i.e., they map the set {α1 , α2 , . . . , αn } into itself. Being
automorphisms, they define permutations of {α1 , α2 , . . . , αn }. As Ff = F [α1 , ..., αn ], an
element of Gal(Ff /F ) is uniquely determined by its action on {α1 , α2 , . . . , αn }. Thus Gf
can be identified with a subset of Sym({α1 , α2 , . . . , αn }) ≈ Sn . In fact, Gf consists of the
permutations σ of {α1 , α2 , . . . , αn } such that, for P ∈ F [X1 , . . . , Xn ],
P (α1 , . . . , αn ) = 0 =⇒ P (σα1 , . . . , σαn ) = 0.
This gives a description of Gf without mentioning fields or abstract groups (neither of
which were available to Galois).
Note that this shows that (Gf : 1), hence [Ff : F ], divides deg(f )!.

Solvability of equations
For a polynomial f ∈ F [X], we say that f (X) = 0 is solvable in radicals if its solu-
tions can be obtained by the algebraic operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication,
division, and the extraction of mth roots, or, more precisely,if there exists a tower of fields
F = F0 ⊂ F1 ⊂ F2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Fm
such that
Exercises 11–13 39

(a) Fi = Fi−1 [αi ], αimi ∈ Fi−1 ;

(b) Fm contains a splitting field for f.

T HEOREM 3.26 (G ALOIS , 1832). Let F be a field of characteristic zero. The equation
f = 0 is solvable in radicals if and only if the Galois group of f is solvable.
We shall prove this later (5.29). Also we shall exhibit polynomials f (X) ∈ Q[X] with
Galois group Sn , which are therefore not solvable when n ≥ 5 by GT 4.29.

R EMARK 3.27. If F has characteristic p, then the theorem fails for two reasons:
(a) f may not be separable, and so not have a Galois group;
(b) X p − X − a = 0 is not solvable by radicals.
If the definition of solvable is changed to allow extensions of the type in (b) in the chain,
and f is required to be separable then the theorem becomes true in characteristic p.

Exercises 11–13
11*. Let F be a field of characteristic 0. Show that F (X 2 ) ∩ F (X 2 − X) = F (intersection
inside F (X)). [Hint: Find automorphisms σ and τ of F (X), each of order 2, fixing F (X 2 )
and F (X 2 − X) respectively, and show that στ has infinite order.]
12*.11 Let p be an odd prime, and let ζ be a primitive pth root of 1 in C. Let E = Q[ζ],
PG = iGal(E/Q);
and let Pthus G = (Z/(p))× . Let H be the subgroup of index 2 in G. Put
α = i∈H ζ and β = i∈G\H ζ i . Show:
(a) α and β are fixed by H;
(b) if σ ∈ G \ H, then σα = β, σβ = α.
Thus α and β are roots of the polynomial X 2 + X + αβ ∈ Q[X]. Compute αβ and show
√ √
that the fixed field of H is Q[ p] when p ≡ 1 mod 4 and Q[ −p] when p ≡ 3 mod 4.
√ √ q√ √
13*. Let M = Q[ 2, 3] and E = M [ ( 2 + 2)( 3 + 3)] (subfields of R).
(a) Show that M is Galois over Q with Galois group the 4-group C2 × C2 .
(b) Show that E is Galois over Q with Galois group the quaternion group.

11
This problem shows that every quadratic extension of Q is contained in a cyclotomic extension of Q. The
Kronecker-Weber theorem says that every abelian extension of Q is contained in a cyclotomic extension.
40 4 COMPUTING GALOIS GROUPS.

4 Computing Galois groups.

In this section, we investigate general methods for computing Galois groups.

When is Gf ⊂ An ?
Consider a polynomial
f (X) = X n + a1 X n−1 + · · · + an
Qn
and let f (X) = i=1 (X − αi ) in some splitting field. Set
Y Y
∆(f ) = (αi − αj ), D(f ) = ∆(f )2 = (αi − αj )2 .
1≤i<j≤n 1≤i<j≤n

The discriminant of f is defined to be D(f ). Note that D(f ) is nonzero if and only if
f has only simple roots, i.e., if f is separable with no multiple factors. Let Gf be the
Galois group of f , and identify it with a subgroup of Sym({α1 , . . . , αn }) (as on p38). The
choice of a numbering for the roots determines an isomorphism Sym({α1 , . . . , αn }) ∼ = Sn ,
and the subgroup of Sym({α1 , . . . , αn }) corresponding to any normal subgroup of Sn is
independent of the choice.

P ROPOSITION 4.1. Assume f is separable, and let σ ∈ Gf .

(a) σ∆(f ) = sign(σ)∆(f ), where sign(σ) is the signature of σ.
(b) σD(f ) = D(f ).

P ROOF. The first equation follows immediately from the definition of the signature of σ
(see GT §4), and the second equation is obtained by squaring the first.

C OROLLARY 4.2. Let f (X) ∈ F [X] be of degree n and have only simple roots. Let Ff be
a splitting field for f , so that Gf = Gal(Ff /F ).
(a) The discriminant D(f ) ∈ F .
(b) The subfield of Ff corresponding to An ∩ Gf is F [∆(f )]. Hence

Gf ⊂ An ⇐⇒ ∆(f ) ∈ F ⇐⇒ D(f ) is a square in F.

P ROOF. (a) The discriminant of f is an element of Ff fixed by Gf =df Gal(Ff /F ), and

hence lies in F (by the fundamental theorem of Galois theory).
(b) Because f has simple roots, ∆(f ) 6= 0, and so the formula σ∆(f ) = sign(σ)∆(f )
shows that an element of Gf fixes ∆(f ) if and only if it lies in An . Thus, under the Galois
correspondence,
Gf ∩ An ↔ F [∆(f )].
Hence,
Gf ∩ An = Gf ⇐⇒ F [∆(f )] = F.
When is Gf transitive? 41

The discriminant of f can be expressed as a universal polynomial in the coefficients of

f . For example:

D(aX 2 + bX + c) = (b2 − 4ac)/a2

D(X 3 + bX + c) = −4b3 − 27c2 .

By completing the cube, one can put any cubic polynomial in this form (in characteristic
6= 3).
The formulas for the discriminant rapidly become very complicated, for example, that
for X 5 + aX 4 + bX 3 + cX 2 + dX + e has 59 terms. Fortunately, Maple knows them: the
syntax is “discrim(f,X);” where f is a polynomial in the variable X.

R EMARK 4.3. Suppose F ⊂ R. Then D(f ) will not be a square if it is negative. It is

known that the sign of D(f ) is (−1)s where 2s is the number of nonreal roots of f in C
(see ANT 2.39). Thus if s is odd, then Gf is not contained in An . This can be proved more
directly by noting that complex conjugation acts on the roots as the product of s disjoint
transpositions.
Of course the converse is not true: when s is even, Gf is not necessarily contained in
An .

When is Gf transitive?
P ROPOSITION 4.4. Let f (X) ∈ F [X] have only simple roots. Then f (X) is irreducible if
and only if Gf permutes the roots of f transitively.

P ROOF. =⇒ : If α and β are two roots of f (X) in a splitting field Ff for f , then they
both have f (X) as their minimum polynomial, and so there is an obvious F -isomorphism
F [α] → F [β], namely,

F [α] ∼
= F [X]/(f (X)) ∼
= F [β], α ↔ X ↔ β.

Write Ff = F [α1 , α2 , ...] with α1 = α and α2 , α3 , . . . the other roots of f (X). Then the
F -homomorphism α 7→ β : F [α] → Ff extends (step by step) to an F -homomorphism
Ff → Ff (use 2.2b), which is an F -isomorphism sending α to β.
⇐= : Let g(X) ∈ F [X] be an irreducible factor of f , and let α be one of its roots. If β
is a second root of f , then (by assumption) β = σα for some σ ∈ Gf . Now, because g has
coefficients in F ,
g(σα) = σg(α) = 0,
and so β is also a root of g. Therefore, every root of f is also a root of g, and so f (X) =
g(X).

Note that when f (X) is irreducible of degree n, n|(Gf : 1) because [F [α] : F ] = n

and [F [α] : F ] divides [Ff : F ] = (Gf : 1). Thus Gf is a transitive subgroup of Sn whose
order is divisible by n.
42 4 COMPUTING GALOIS GROUPS.

Polynomials of degree ≤ 3
E XAMPLE 4.5. Let f (X) ∈ F [X] be a polynomial of degree 2. Then f is inseparable
⇐⇒ F has characteristic 2 and f (X) = X 2 − a for some a ∈ F r F 2 . If f is separable,
then Gf = 1(= A2 ) or S2 according as D(f ) is a square in F or not.
E XAMPLE 4.6. Let f (X) ∈ F [X] be a polynomial of degree 3. We can assume f to be
irreducible, for otherwise we are essentially back in the previous case. Then f is insepara-
ble if and only if F has characteristic 3 and f (X) = X 3 − a for some a ∈ F \ F 3 . If f is
separable, then Gf is a transitive subgroup of S3 whose order is divisible by 3. There are
only two possibilities: Gf = A3 or S3 according as D(f ) is a square in F or not. Note that
A3 is generated by the cycle (123).
For example, X 3 − 3X + 1 ∈ Q[X] is irreducible (see 1.12), its discriminant is
−4(−3)3 − 27 = 81 = 92 , and so its Galois group is A3 .
On the other hand, X 3 + 3X + 1 ∈ Q[X] is also irreducible (apply 1.11), but its
discriminant is −135 which is not a square in Q, and so its Galois group is S3 .

Quartic polynomials
Let f (X) be a quartic polynomial without multiple roots. In order to determine Gf we
shall exploit the fact that S4 has

V = {1, (12)(34), (13)(24), (14)(23)}

all elements of type 2 + 2 (GT

as a normal subgroup — it is normal because it contains Q
4.28). Let E be a splitting field of f , and let f (X) = (X − αi ) in E. We identify
the Galois group Gf of f with a subgroup of the symmetric group Sym({α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 }).
Consider the partially symmetric elements

α = α1 α2 + α3 α4
β = α1 α3 + α2 α4
γ = α1 α4 + α2 α3 .

They are distinct because the αi are distinct; for example,

α − β = α1 (α2 − α3 ) + α4 (α3 − α2 ) = (α1 − α4 )(α2 − α3 ).

The group Sym({α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 }) permutes {α, β, γ} transitively. The stabilizer of each of

α, β, γ must therefore be a subgroup of index 3 in S4 , and hence has order 8. For example,
the stabilizer of β is h(1234), (13)i. Groups of order 8 in S4 are Sylow 2-subgroups. There
are three of them, all isomorphic to D4 . By the Sylow theorems, V is contained in a Sylow
2-subgroup; in fact, because the Sylow 2-subgroups are conjugate and V is normal, it is
contained in all three. It follows that V is the intersection of the three Sylow 2-subgroups.
Each Sylow 2-subgroup fixes exactly one of α, β, or γ, and therefore their intersection V
is the subgroup of Sym({α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 }) fixing α, β, and γ.
L EMMA 4.7. The fixed field of Gf ∩ V is F [α, β, γ]. Hence F [α, β, γ] is Galois over F
with Galois group Gf /Gf ∩ V .
Quartic polynomials 43

P ROOF. The above discussion shows that the subgroup of Gf of elements fixing F [α, β, γ]
is Gf ∩ V , and so E Gf ∩V = F [α, β, γ] by the fundamental theorem of Galois theory. The
remaining statements follow from the fundamental theorem using that V is normal.

Let M = F [α, β, γ], and let g(X) = (X − α)(X − β)(X − γ) ∈ M [X] —

it is called the resolvent cubic of f . Any permutation of the αi (a fortiori, any E
element of Gf ) merely permutes α, β, γ, and so fixes g(X). Therefore (by the
Gf ∩V
fundamental theorem) g(X) has coefficients in F . More explicitly, we have:

L EMMA 4.8. The resolvent cubic of f = X 4 + bX 3 + cX 2 + dX + e is F [α, β, γ]

Gf /Gf ∩V
g = X 3 − cX 2 + (bd − 4e)X − b2 e + 4ce − d2 .
F
The discriminants of f and g are equal.

P ROOF ( SKETCH ). Expand f = (X − α1 )(X − α2 )(X − α3 )(X − α4 ) to

express b, c, d, e in terms of α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 . Expand g = (X − α)(X − β)(X − γ) to express
the coefficients of g in terms of α1 , α2 , α3 , α4 , and substitute to express them in terms of
b, c, d, e.

Now let f be an irreducible separable quartic. Then G = Gf is a transitive subgroup of

S4 whose order is divisible by 4. There are the following possibilities for G:

G (G ∩ V : 1) (G : V ∩ G)
S4 4 6
A4 4 3 (G ∩ V : 1) = [E : M ]
V 4 1 (G : V ∩ G) = [M : F ]
D4 4 2
C4 2 2

The groups of type D4 are the Sylow 2-subgroups discussed above, and the groups of type
C4 are those generated by cycles of length 4.
We can compute (G : V ∩ G) from the resolvent cubic g, because G/V ∩ G =
Gal(M/F ) and M is the splitting field of g. Once we know (G : V ∩ G), we can de-
duce G except in the case that it is 2. If [M : F ] = 2, then G ∩ V = V or C2 . Only the first
group acts transitively on the roots of f , and so (from 4.4) we see that in this case G = D4
or C4 according as f is irreducible or not in M [X].

E XAMPLE 4.9. Consider f (X) = X 4 + 4X 2 + 2 ∈ Q[X]. It is irreducible by√ Eisenstein’s

2
criterion (1.16), and its resolvent cubic is (X − 4)(X − 8); thus M = Q[ 2]. From the
table we see that Gf is of type D4 or C4 , but f factors over M (even as a polynomial in
X 2 ), and hence Gf is of type C4 .

E XAMPLE 4.10. Consider f (X) = X 4 − 10X 2 + 4 ∈ Q[X]. It is irreducible in Q[X]

because (by inspection) it is irreducible in Z[X]. Its resolvent cubic is (X + 10)(X +
4)(X − 4), and so Gf is of type V .
44 4 COMPUTING GALOIS GROUPS.

E XAMPLE 4.11. Consider f (X) = X 4 − 2 ∈ Q[X]. It is irreducible by Eisenstein’s

√
criterion (1.16), and its resolvent cubic is g(X) = X 3 + 8X. Hence M = Q[i 2]. One
can check that f is irreducible over M , and Gf is of type D4 .
Alternatively, analyse the equation as in (3.22).
As we explained in (1.29), Maple knows how to factor polynomials with coefficients in
Q[α].

Examples of polynomials with Sp as Galois group over Q

The next lemma gives a criterion for a subgroup of Sp to be the whole of Sp .
L EMMA 4.12. For p prime, the symmetric group Sp is generated by any transposition and
any p-cycle.
P ROOF. After renumbering, we may assume that the transposition is τ = (12), and we may
write the p-cycle σ so that 1 occurs in the first position, σ = (1 i2 · · · ip ). Now some power
of σ will map 1 to 2 and will still be a p-cycle (here is where we use that p is prime). After
replacing σ with the power, we may suppose σ = (1 2 j3 . . . jp ), and after renumbering
again, we may suppose σ = (1 2 3 . . . p). Then we’ll have (12), (2 3), (3 4), (4 5), . . . in the
group generated by σ and τ , and these elements generate Sp .
P ROPOSITION 4.13. Let f be an irreducible polynomial of prime degree p in Q[X]. If f
splits in C and has exactly two nonreal roots, then Gf = Sp .
P ROOF. Let E be the splitting field of f in C, and let α ∈ E be a root of f . Because f is
irreducible, [Q[α] : Q] = deg f = p, and so p|[E : Q] = (Gf : 1). Therefore Gf contains
an element of order p (Cauchy’s theorem, GT 4.13), but the only elements of order p in Sp
are p-cycles (here we use that p is prime again).
Let σ be complex conjugation on C. Then σ transposes the two nonreal roots of f (X)
and fixes the rest. Therefore Gf ⊂ Sp contains a transposition and a p-cycle, and so is the
whole of Sp .
It remains to construct polynomials satisfying the conditions of the Proposition.
E XAMPLE 4.14. Let p≥ 5 be a prime number. Choose a positive even integer m and even
integers
n1 < n2 < · · · < np−2 .
Let f (X) = g(X) − 2, where
g(X) = (X 2 + m)(X − n1 )...(X − np−2 ).
p p−1
Q we write f (X) = X + a1 X
When + · · · + ap , then all ai are even, and ap =
−(m ni ) − 2 is not divisible by 4. Hence Eisenstein’s criterion implies that f (X) is
irreducible.
The polynomial g(X) certainly has exactly two nonreal roots. Its graph crosses the x-
axis exactly p − 2 times, and its maxima and minima all have absolute value > 2 (because
its values at odd integers have absolute value > 2). Hence the graph of f (X) = g(X) − 2
also crosses the x-axis exactly p − 2 times, and the proposition applies to f .
Finite fields 45

Finite fields
Let Fp = Z/pZ, the field of p elements. As we noted in §1, any other field E of character-
istic p contains a copy of Fp , namely, {m1E | m ∈ Z}. No harm results if we identify Fp
with this subfield of E.
Let E be a field of degree n over Fp . Then E has q = pn elements, and so E × is a group
of order q − 1. Hence the nonzero elements of E are roots X q−1 − 1, and all elements of
E (including 0) are roots of X q − X. Hence E is a splitting field for X q − X, and so any
two fields with q elements are isomorphic.

P ROPOSITION 4.15. Every extension of finite fields is simple.

P ROOF. Consider E ⊃ F . Then E × is a finite subgroup of the multiplicative group of a

field, and hence is cyclic (see Exercise 3). If ζ generates E × as a multiplicative group, then
certainly E = F [ζ].

Now let E be the splitting field of f (X) = X q − X, q = pn . The derivative f 0 (X) =

−1, which is relatively prime to f (X) (in fact, to every polynomial), and so f (X) has
q distinct roots in E. Let S be the set of its roots. Then S is obviously closed under
multiplication and the formation of inverses, but it is also closed under subtraction: if
aq − a = 0 and bq − b = 0, then

(a − b)q = aq − bq = a − b.

Hence S is a field, and so S = E. In particular, E has pn elements.

P ROPOSITION 4.16. For each power q = pn there is a field Fq with q elements. It is

the splitting field of X q − X, and hence any two such fields are isomorphic. Moreover,
Fq is Galois over Fp with cyclic Galois group generated by the Frobenius automorphism
σ(a) = ap .

P ROOF. Only the final statement remains to be proved. The field Fq is Galois over Fp
σ
because it is the splitting field of a separable polynomial. We noted in (1.4) that x 7→ xp
is an automorphism of Fq . An element a of Fq is fixed by σ if and only if ap = a, but Fp
consists exactly of such elements, and so the fixed field of hσi is Fp . This proves that Fq is
Galois over Fp and that hσi = Gal(Fq /Fp ) (see 3.9).

C OROLLARY 4.17. Let E be a field with pn elements. For each divisor m of n, m ≥ 0, E

contains exactly one field with pm elements.

P ROOF. We know that E is Galois over Fp and that Gal(E/Fp ) is the cyclic group of order
n generated by σ. The group hσi has one subgroup of order n/m for each m dividing n,
namely, hσ m i, and so E has exactly one subfield of degree m over Fp for each m dividing
m m
n, namely, E hσ i . Because it has degree m over Fp , E hσ i has pm elements.

C OROLLARY 4.18. Each monic irreducible polynomial f of degree d|n in Fp [X] occurs
n
exactly once as a factor of X p − X; hence, the degree of the splitting field of f is ≤ d.
46 4 COMPUTING GALOIS GROUPS.

n
P ROOF. First, the factors of X p − X are distinct because it has no common factor with
its derivative. If f (X) is irreducible of degree d, then f (X) has a root in a field of degree
n
d over Fp . But the splitting field of X p − X contains a copy of every field of degree
n
d over Fp with d|n. Hence some root of X p − X is also a root of f (X), and therefore
n d
f (X)|X p − X. In particular, f divides X p − X, and therefore it splits in its splitting
field, which has degree d over Fp .

P ROPOSITION 4.19. Let F be an algebraic closure of Fp . Then F contains exactly one field
n
Fpn for each integer n ≥ 1, and Fpn consists of the roots of X p − X. Moreover,

Fpm ⊂ Fpn ⇐⇒ m|n.

The partially ordered set of finite subfields of F is isomorphic to the set of integers n ≥ 1
partially ordered by divisibility.

P ROOF. Obvious from what we have proved.

P ROPOSITION 4.20. The field Fp has an algebraic closure F.

P ROOF. Choose a sequence of integers 1 = n1 < n2 < n3 < . . . such that ni |ni+1 for all
i, for example, 2 < 2 × 3 < 2 × 3 × 5 < . . .. Define the fields Fpni inductively as follows:
ni+1
Fpn1 = Fp ; Fpni+1 is the splitting field of X p − X over Fpni . Then, Fpn1 ⊂ Fpn2 ⊂
Fpn3 ⊂ · · · , and we define F = ∪Fpni . As a union of fields algebraic over Fp , it is again
a field algebraic over Fp . Moreover, every polynomial in Fp [X] splits in F, and so it is an
algebraic closure of F (by 1.44).

R EMARK 4.21. Since the Fpn ’s are not subsets of a fixed set, forming the union requires
explanation: define S to be the disjoint union of the Fpn ; for a, b ∈ S, set a ∼ b if a = b in
one of the Fpn ; then ∼ is an equivalence relation, and we let F = S/ ∼.
Maple factors polynomials modulo p very quickly. The syntax is “Factor(f(X))
mod p;”. Thus, for example, to obtain a list of all monic polynomials of degree 1, 2, or 4
over F5 , ask Maple to factor X 625 − X.
Finite fields were sometimes called12 Galois fields, and Fq used to be denoted GF (q)
(it still is in Maple). Maple contains a “Galois field package” to do computations in finite
fields. For example, it can find a primitive element for Fq (i.e., a generator for F×
q ). To start
it, type: readlib(GF):.

Computing Galois groups over Q

In the remainder of this section, I sketch a practical method for computing Galois groups
over Q and similar fields. Recall that for a monic separable polynomial f ∈ F [X], Ff
12
From a letter to the Notices of the AMS, February 2003 (Pálfy): “full credit should be given to [Galois]
for constructing finite fields in general. In one of the few papers published during his short lifetime, entitled
“Sur la théorie des nombres”, which appeared in the Bulletin des Sciences Mathématiques in June 1830,
Galois — at that time not even nineteen years old — defined finite fields of arbitrary prime power order and
established their basic properties, e.g. the existence of a primitive element. So it is fully justified when finite
fields are called Galois fields and customarily denoted by GF (q).”
Computing Galois groups over Q 47

denotes a splitting field for F , and Gf = Gal(Ff /F ) denotes the Galois group of F .
Moreover, Gf permutes the roots α1 , α2 , . . . of f in Ff :

G ⊂ Sym{α1 , α2 , . . .}.

The first result generalizes Proposition 4.4.

P ROPOSITION 4.22. Let f (X) be a monic polynomial in F [X] with only simple roots, and
suppose that the orbits of Gf acting on the roots of f have m1 , . . . , mr elements respec-
tively. Then f factors as f = f1 · · · fr with fi irreducible of degree mi .

P ROOF. Let α1 , . . . , αm , m = deg f , be the roots of f (X) in Ff . The monic factors of

f (X) in Ff [X] correspond to subsets S of {α1 , . . . , αm },
Y
S ↔ fS = (X − α),
α∈S

and fS is fixed under the action of Gf (and hence has coefficients in F ) if and only if S
is stable under Gf . Therefore the irreducible factors of f in F [X] are the polynomials fS
corresponding to minimal subsets S of {α1 , . . . , αm } stable under Gf , but these subsets S
are precisely the orbits of Gf in {α1 , . . . , αm }.
S
R EMARK 4.23. Note that the proof shows the following: let {α1 , . . . , αm } = Oi be the
decomposition of {α1 , . . . , αm } into a disjoint union of orbits for the group Gf ; then
Q Q
f= fi , fi = αi ∈Oi (X − αi )

is the decomposition of f into a product of irreducible polynomials in F [X].

Now suppose F is finite, with pn elements say. Then Gf is a cyclic group generated
by the Frobenius automorphism σ : x 7→ xp . When we regard σ as a permutation of the
roots of f , then distinct orbits of σ correspond to the factors in its cycle decomposition (GT
4.22). Hence, if the degrees of the distinct irreducible factors of f are m1 , m2 , . . . , mr , then
σ has a cycle decomposition of type

m1 + · · · + mr = deg f.

L EMMA 4.24. Let R be a unique factorization domain with field of fractions F , and let f
be a monic polynomial in R[X]. Let P be a prime ideal in R, and let f be the image of f
in (R/P )[X]. Assume that neither f nor f has a multiple root. Then the roots α1 , . . . , αm
of f lie in some finite extension R0 of R, and their reductions αi modulo P R0 are the roots
of f . Moreover Gf ⊂ Gf when both are identified with subgroups of Sym{α1 , . . . , αm } =
Sym{α1 , . . . , αm }.

P ROOF. Omitted — see van der Waerden, Modern Algebra, I, §61 (second edition) or ANT
3.43.

On combining these results, we obtain the following theorem.

48 4 COMPUTING GALOIS GROUPS.

T HEOREM 4.25 (D EDEKIND ). Let f (X) ∈ Z[X] be a monic polynomial of degree m, and
let p be a prime such that
Qf mod p has simple roots (equivalently, D(f ) is not divisible
by p). Suppose that f = fi with fi irreducible of degree mi in Fp [X]. Then Gf contains
an element whose cycle decomposition is of type

m = m1 + · · · + mr = m.

E XAMPLE 4.26. Consider X 5 −X −1. Modulo 2, this factors as (X 2 +X +1)(X 3 +X 2 +1),

and modulo 3 it is irreducible. Hence Gf contains (ik)(lmn) and (12345), and so also
((ik)(lmn))3 = (ik). Therefore Gf = S5 by (4.12).

L EMMA 4.27. A transitive subgroup of H ⊂ Sn containing a transposition and an (n − 1)-

cycle is equal to Sn .

P ROOF. After possibly renumbering, we may suppose the (n − 1)-cycle is (123 . . . n −

1). Because of the transitivity, the transposition can be transformed into (in), some 1 ≤
i ≤ n − 1. Conjugating (in) by (123 . . . n − 1) and its powers will transform it into
(1n), (2n), . . . , (n − 1 n), and these elements obviously generate Sn .

E XAMPLE 4.28. Select monic polynomials of degree n, f1 , f2 , f3 with coefficients in Z

such that:
(a) f1 is irreducible modulo 2;
(b) f2 = (degree 1)(irreducible of degree n − 1) mod 3;
(c) f3 = (irreducible of degree 2)(product of 1 or 2 irreducible polys of odd degree) mod
5.
We also choose f1 , f2 , f3 to have only simple roots. Take

f = −15f1 + 10f2 + 6f3 .

Then
(i) Gf is transitive (it contains an n-cycle because f ≡ f1 mod 2);
(ii) Gf contains a cycle of length n − 1 (because f ≡ f2 mod 3);
(iii) Gf contains a transposition (because f ≡ f3 mod 5, and so it contains the prod-
uct of a transposition with a commuting element of odd order; on raising this to an
appropriate odd power, we are left with the transposition). Hence Gf is Sn .
The above results give the following strategy for computing the Galois group of an
irreducible polynomial f ∈ Q[X]. Factor f modulo a sequence of primes p not dividing
D(f ) to determine the cycle types of the elements in Gf — a difficult theorem in number
theory, the effective Chebotarev density theorem, says that if a cycle type occurs in Gf ,
then this will be seen by looking modulo a set of prime numbers of positive density, and
will occur for a prime less than some bound. Now look up a table of transitive subgroups
of Sn with order divisible by n and their cycle types. If this doesn’t suffice to determine the
group, then look at its action on the set of subsets of r roots for some r.
See, Butler and McKay, The transitive groups of degree up to eleven, Comm. Alge-
bra 11 (1983), 863–911. This lists all transitive subgroups of Sn , n ≤ 11, and gives the
cycle types of their elements and the orbit lengths of the subgroup acting on the r-sets of
Exercises 14–20 49

roots. With few exceptions, these invariants are sufficient to determine the subgroup up to
isomorphism.
Maple V can compute Galois groups for polynomials of degree ≤ 7 over Q. To learn
the syntax, type “?galois;”.
See also, Soicher and McKay, Computing Galois groups over the rationals, J. Number
Theory, 20 (1985) 273–281.

Exercises 14–20
14*. Find the splitting field of X m − 1 ∈ Fp [X].
15*. Find the Galois group of X 4 − 2X 3 − 8X − 3 over Q.
16*. Find the degree of the splitting field of X 8 − 2 over Q.
17*. Give an example of a field extension E/F of degree 4 such that there does not exist a
field M with F ⊂ M ⊂ E, [M : F ] = 2.
18. List all irreducible polynomials of degree 3 over F7 in 10 seconds or less (there are
112).
19. “It is a thought-provoking question that few graduate students would know how to
approach the question of determining the Galois group of, say,

X 6 + 2X 5 + 3X 4 + 4X 3 + 5X 2 + 6X + 7.”

[over Q].
(a) Can you find it?
(b) Can you find it without using the “galois” command in Maple?
20*. Let f (X) = X 5 + aX + b, a, b ∈ Q. Show that Gf ≈ D5 (dihedral group) if and only
if
(a) f (X) is irreducible in Q[X], and
(b) the discriminant D(f ) = 44 a5 + 55 b4 of f (X) is a square, and
(c) the equation f (X) = 0 is solvable by radicals.
Additional exercise: Show that a polynomial f of degree n = ki=1 pri i is irreducible
Q
n/p
over Fq if and only if gcd(f (x), xq i − x) = 1 for all i.
50 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

5 Applications of Galois theory

In this section, we apply the fundamental theorem of Galois theory to obtain other results
about polynomials and extensions of fields.

Primitive element theorem.

Recall that a finite extension of fields E/F is simple if E = F [α] for some element α of
E. Such an α is called a primitive element of E. We shall show that (at least) all separable
extensions have primitive elements.
√ √
Consider for example Q[ 2, 3]/Q. We know (see Exercise 13) that its Galois group
over Q is a 4-group hσ, τ i, where
 √ √  √ √
σ √2 = − √ 2 τ √ 2 = 2
√
,
σ 3 = 3 τ 3 = − 3.

Note that √ √ √ √
σ(√2 + √3) = − √ 2+ √ 3,
τ (√2 + √3) = 2− √
√ 3,
(στ )( 2 + 3) = − 2 − 3.
√ √ √ √
These all differ from √ 2 + √3, and so only the identity element of Gal(Q[ 2, 3]/Q)
fixes
√ the √ elements of Q[ 2 + 3]. According to the fundamental theorem, this implies that
2 + 3 is a primitive element:
√ √ √ √
Q[ 2, 3] = Q[ 2 + 3].

It is clear that this argument should work much more generally.

We say that an element α algebraic over a field F is separable over F if its minimum
polynomial over F has no multiple roots.

T HEOREM 5.1. Let E = F [α1 , ..., αr ] be a finite extension of F , and assume that α2 , ..., αr
are separable over F (but not necessarily α1 ). Then there is an element γ ∈ E such that
E = F [γ].

P ROOF. For finite fields, we proved this in (4.15). Hence we may assume F to be infinite.
It suffices to prove the statement for r = 2. Thus let E = F [α, β] with β separable over F .
Let f and g be the minimum polynomials of α and β over F . Let α1 = α, . . . , αs be the
roots of f in some big field containing E, and let β1 = β, β2 , . . . , βt be the roots of g. For
j 6= 1, βj 6= β1 , and so the the equation

αi + Xβj = α1 + Xβ1 ,

has exactly one solution, namely, X = αβ1i −α 1

−βj
. If we choose a c ∈ F different from any of
these solutions (using that F is infinite), then

αi + cβj 6= α + cβ unless i = 1 = j.
Primitive element theorem. 51

Let γ = α + cβ. Then the polynomials g(X) and f (γ − cX) have coefficients in
F [γ][X], and have β as a root:
g(β) = 0, f (γ − cβ) = f (α) = 0.
In fact, β is their only common root, because we chose c so that γ − cβj 6= αi unless
i = 1 = j. Therefore
gcd(g(X), f (γ − cX)) = X − β.
Here we have computed the gcd in some field splitting f g, but we have seen (Proposition
2.10) that the gcd of two polynomials has coefficients in the same field as the coefficients
of the polynomials. Hence β ∈ F [γ], and this implies that α = γ − cβ also lies in F [γ].
We have shown that F [α, β] = F [γ].
R EMARK 5.2. Assume F to be infinite. The proof shows that γ can be chosen to be of the
form
γ = α1 + c2 α2 + · · · + cr αr , ci ∈ F.
If E is Galois over F , then an element of this form will be a primitive element provided
it is moved by every element of Gal(E/F ) except 1. These remarks make it very easy to
write down primitive elements.
Our hypotheses are minimal: if two of the α’s are not separable, then the extension need
not be simple. Before giving an example to demonstrate, we need another result.
P ROPOSITION 5.3. Let E = F [γ] be a simple algebraic extension of F . Then there are
only finitely many intermediate fields M ,
F ⊂ M ⊂ E.
P ROOF. Let M be such a field, and let g(X) be the minimum polynomial of γ over M . Let
M 0 be the subfield of E generated over F by the coefficients of g(X). Clearly M 0 ⊂ M ,
but (equally clearly) g(X) is the minimum polynomial of γ over M 0 . Hence
[E : M 0 ] = deg g = [E : M ],
and so M = M 0 — M is generated by the coefficients of g(X).
Let f (X) be the minimum polynomial of γ over F . Then g(X) divides f (X) in M [X],
and hence also in E[X]. Therefore, there are only finitely many possible g’s, and conse-
quently only finitely many possible M ’s.
R EMARK 5.4. (a) Note that the proof in fact gives a description of all the intermediate
fields: each is generated over F by the coefficients of a factor g(X) of f (X) in E[X]. The
coefficients of such a g(X) are partially symmetric polynomials in the roots of f (X) (that
is, fixed by some, but not necessarily all, of the permutations of the roots).
(b) The proposition has a converse: if E is a finite extension of F and there are only
finitely many intermediate fields M , F ⊂ M ⊂ E, then E is a simple extension of F
(see Dummit and Foote 1991, p508). This gives another proof of Theorem 5.1 in the case
that E is separable over F , because Galois theory shows that there are only finitely many
intermediate fields in this case (the Galois closure of E over F has only finitely many
intermediate fields).
52 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

E XAMPLE 5.5. The simplest nonsimple algebraic extension is k(X, Y ) ⊃ k(X p , Y p ),

where k is an algebraically closed field of characteristic p. Let F = k(X p , Y p ). For
any c ∈ k, we have
k(X, Y ) = F [X, Y ] ⊃ F [X + cY ] ⊃ F
with the degree of each extension equal to p. If

F [X + cY ] = F [X + c0 Y ], c 6= c0 ,

then F [X + cY ] would contain both X and Y , which is impossible because [k(X, Y ) :

F ] = p2 . Hence there are infinitely many distinct intermediate fields.13

Fundamental Theorem of Algebra

We finally prove the misnamed14 fundamental theorem of algebra.

T HEOREM 5.6. The field C of complex numbers is algebraically closed.

P ROOF. Define C to be the splitting field of X 2 + 1 ∈ R[X], and let i be a root of X 2 + 1
in C; thus C = R[i]. We have to show (see 1.44) that every f (X) ∈ R[X] has a root in C.
The two facts we need to assume about R are:
– Positive real numbers have square roots.
– Every polynomial of odd degree with real coefficients has a real root.
Both are immediate consequences of the Intermediate Value Theorem, which says that
a continuous function on a closed interval takes every value between its maximum and
minimum values (inclusive). (Intuitively, this says that, unlike the rationals, the real line
has no “holes”.)
We first show that every element of C has a square root. Write α = a+bi, with a, b ∈ R,
and choose c, d to be real numbers such that
√ √
(a + a 2 + b2 ) (−a + a2 + b 2 )
c2 = , d2 = .
2 2
Then c2 − d2 = a and (2cd)2 = b2 . If√we choose the signs of c and d so that cd has the
same sign as b, then (c + di)2 = α and α = c + di.
Let f (X) ∈ R[X], and let E be a splitting field for f (X)(X 2 + 1) — we have to show
that E = C. Since R has characteristic zero, the polynomial is separable, and so E is
Galois over R. Let G be its Galois group, and let H be a Sylow 2-subgroup of G.
13
Zariski showed that there is even an intermediate field M that is not isomorphic to F (X, Y ), and Piotr
Blass showed in his thesis (University of Michigan 1977), using the methods of algebraic geometry, that there
is an infinite sequence of intermediate fields, no two of which are isomorphic.
14
Because it is not strictly a theorem in algebra: it is a statement about R whose construction is part of
analysis (or maybe topology). In fact, I prefer the proof based on Liouville’s theorem in complex analysis to
the more algebraic proof given in the text: if f (z) is a polynomial without a root in C, then f (z)−1 will be
bounded and holomorphic on the whole complex plane, and hence (by Liouville) constant. The Fundamental
Theorem was quite a difficult theorem to prove. Gauss gave a proof in his doctoral dissertation in 1798 in
which he used some geometric arguments which he didn’t justify. He gave the first rigorous proof in 1816.
The elegant argument given here is a simplification by Emil Artin of earlier proofs.
Cyclotomic extensions 53

Let M = E H . Then M is of odd degree over R, and M = R[α] some α (Theorem 5.1).
The minimum polynomial of α over R has odd degree, and so has a root in R. It therefore
has degree 1, and so M = R and G = H.
We now have that Gal(E/C) is a 2-group. If it is 6= 1, then it has a subgroup N of
index 2 (GT 4.15). The field E N has degree 2 over C, and can therefore be obtained by
extracting the square root of an element of C (see 3.24), but we have seen that all such
elements already lie in C. Hence E N = C, which is a contradiction. Thus E = C.

C OROLLARY 5.7. (a) The field C is the algebraic closure of R.

(b) The set of all algebraic numbers is an algebraic closure of Q.

P ROOF. Part (a) is obvious from the definition of “algebraic closure” (1.43), and (b) fol-
lows from Corollary 1.46.

Cyclotomic extensions
A primitive nth root of 1 in F is an element of order n in F × . Such an element can exist
only if F has characteristic 0 or characteristic p not dividing n.

P ROPOSITION 5.8. Let F be a field of characteristic 0 or characteristic p not dividing n.

Let E be the splitting field of X n − 1.
(a) There exists a primitive nth root of 1 in E.
(b) If ζ is a primitive nth root of 1 in E, then E = F [ζ].
(c) The field E is Galois over F ; for each σ ∈ Gal(E/F ), there is an i ∈ (Z/nZ)× such
that σζ = ζ i for all ζ with ζ n = 1; the map σ 7→ [i] is an injective homomorphism

Gal(E/F ) → (Z/nZ)× .

P ROOF. (a) The roots of X n − 1 are distinct, because its derivative nX n−1 has only zero
as a root (here we use the condition on the characteristic), and so E contains n distinct nth
roots of 1. The nth roots of 1 form a finite subgroup of E × , and so (see Exercise 3) they
form a cyclic group. Any generator will have order n, and hence will be a primitive nth root
of 1.
(b) The roots of X n − 1 are the powers of ζ, and F [ζ] contains them all.
(c) If ζ0 is one primitive nth root of 1, then the remaining primitive nth roots of 1 are
the elements ζ0i with i relatively prime to n. Since, for any automorphism σ of E, σζ0 is
again a primitive nth root of 1, it equals ζ0i for some i relatively prime to n, and the map
σ 7→ i mod n is injective because ζ0 generates E over F . It obviously is a homomorphism.
Moreover, for any other nth root of 1, ζ = ζ0m ,

σζ = (σζ0 )m = ζ0im = ζ i .

The map σ 7→ [i] : Gal(F [ζ]/F ) → (Z/nZ)× need not be surjective. For example, if
F = C, then its image is {1}, and if F = R, it is either {[1]} or {[−1], [1]}. On the other
hand, when n = p is prime, we saw in (1.41) that [Q[ζ] : Q] = p − 1, and so the map is
surjective. We now prove that the map is surjective for all n when F = Q.
54 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

The polynomial X n − 1 has some obvious factors in Q[X], namely, the polynomials
X d − 1 for any d|n. The quotient of X n − 1 by all these factors for d < n is called the nth
cyclotomic polynomial Φn . Thus
Y
Φn = (X − ζ) (product over the primitive nth roots of 1).

It has degree ϕ(n), the order of (Z/nZ)× . Since every nth root of 1 is a primitive dth root
of 1 for exactly one d dividing n, we see that
Y
Xn − 1 = Φd (X).
d|n

For example, Φ1 (X) = X − 1, Φ2 (X) = X + 1, Φ3 (X) = X 2 + X + 1, and

X6 − 1
Φ6 (X) = = X 2 − X + 1.
(X − 1)(X + 1)(X 2 + X + 1)

This gives an easy inductive method of computing the cyclotomic polynomials. Alterna-
tively ask Maple by typing:
with(numtheory);
cyclotomic(n,X);.
Because X n − 1 has coefficients in Z and is monic, every monic factor of it in Q[X]
has coefficients in Z (1.14). In particular, the cyclotomic polynomials lie in Z[X].

L EMMA 5.9. Let F be a field of characteristic 0 or p not dividing n, and let ζ be a primitive
nth root of 1 in some extension field. The following are equivalent:
(a) the nth cyclotomic polynomial Φn is irreducible;
(b) the degree [F [ζ] : F ] = ϕ(n);
(c) the homomorphism
Gal(F [ζ]/F ) → (Z/nZ)×
is an isomorphism.

P ROOF. Because ζ is a root of Φn , the minimum polynomial of ζ divides Φn . It is equal to

it if and only if [F [ζ] : F ] = ϕ(n), which is true if and only if the injection Gal(F [ζ]/F ) ,→
(Z/nZ)× is onto.

T HEOREM 5.10. The nth cyclotomic polynomial Φn is irreducible in Q[X].

P ROOF. Let f (X) be a monic irreducible factor of Φn in Q[X]. Its roots will be primitive
nth roots of 1, and we have to show they include all primitive nth roots of 1. For this it
suffices to show that

ζ a root of f (X) =⇒ ζ i a root of f (X) for all i such that gcd(i, n) = 1.

Such an i is a product of primes not dividing n, and so it suffices to show that

ζ a root of f (X) =⇒ ζ p a root of f (X) for all primes p - n.

Cyclotomic extensions 55

Write
Φn (X) = f (X)g(X).
Proposition 1.14 shows that f (X) and g(X) lie in Z[X]. Suppose ζ is a root of f , but
that for some prime p not dividing n, ζ p is not a root of f . Then ζ p is a root of g(X),
g(ζ p ) = 0, and so ζ is a root of g(X p ). As f (X) and g(X p ) have a common root, they have
a nontrivial common factor in Q[X] (2.10), which automatically lies in Z[X] (1.14). Write
h(X) 7→ h(X) for the map Z[X] 7→ Fp [X], and note that

gcdZ[X] (f (X), g(X p )) 6= 1 =⇒ gcdFp [X] (f (X), g(X p )) 6= 1.

But g(X p ) = g(X)p (use the mod p binomial theorem and that ap = a for all a ∈ Fp ),
and so f (X) and g(X) have a common factor. Hence X n − 1, when regarded as an element
of Fp [X], has multiple roots, but we saw in the proof of Proposition 5.8 that it doesn’t.
Contradiction.

R EMARK 5.11. This proof is very old — in essence it goes back to Dedekind in 1857 —
but its general scheme has recently become popular: take a statement in characteristic zero,
reduce modulo p (where the statement may no longer be true), and exploit the existence of
the Frobenius automorphism a 7→ ap to obtain a proof of the original statement. For ex-
ample, commutative algebraists use this method to prove results about commutative rings,
and there are theorems about complex manifolds that have only been proved by reducing
things to characteristic p.
There are some beautiful and mysterious relations between what happens in character-
istic 0 and in characteristic p. For example, let f (X1 , ..., Xn ) ∈ Z[X1 , ..., Xn ]. We can
(a) look at the solutions of f = 0 in C, and so get a topological space;
(b) reduce mod p, and look at the solutions of f = 0 in Fpn .
The Weil conjectures (Weil 1949; proved in part by Grothendieck in the 1960’s and com-
pletely by Deligne in 1973) assert that the Betti numbers of the space in (a) control the
cardinalities of the sets in (b).

T HEOREM 5.12. The regular n-gon is constructible if and only if n = 2k p1 · · · ps where

the pi are distinct Fermat primes.

P ROOF. The regular n-gon is constructible if and only if cos 2π n

(or ζ = e2πi/n ) is con-
structible. We know that Q[ζ] is Galois over Q, and so (according to 1.37 and 3.23) ζ is
constructible if and only if [Q[ζ] : Q] is a power of 2. But (see GT 3.10)
Y Y
ϕ(n) = (p − 1)pn(p)−1 , n = pn(p) ,
p|n

and this is a power of 2 if and only if n has the required form.

R EMARK 5.13. The final section of Gauss’s, Disquisitiones Arithmeticae (1801) is titled
“Equations defining sections of a Circle”. In it Gauss proves that the nth roots of 1 form a
cyclic group, that X n − 1 is solvable (this was before the theory of abelian groups had been
developed, and before Galois), and that the regular n-gon is constructible when n is as in
56 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

the Theorem. He also claimed to have proved the converse statement15 . This leads some
people to credit him with the above proof of the irreducibility of Φn , but in the absence of
further evidence, I’m sticking with Dedekind.

Independence of characters
T HEOREM 5.14 (D EDEKIND ’ S THM ON THE INDEPENDENCE OF CHARACTERS ). Let F
be a field, and let G be a group (monoid will do). Then any finite set {χ1 , . . . , χm } of
homomorphisms G → F × is linearly independent over F , i.e.,
X
ai χi = 0 (as a function G → F ) =⇒ a1 = 0, . . . , am = 0.

P ROOF. Induction on m. For m = 1, it’s obvious. Assume it for m − 1, and suppose that,
for some set {χ1 , . . . , χm } of homomorphisms G → F × and ai ∈ F ,

a1 χ1 (x) + a2 χ2 (x) + · · · + am χm (x) = 0 for all x ∈ G.

We have to show that the ai are zero. As χ1 and χ2 are distinct, they will take distinct
values on some g ∈ G. On replacing x with gx in the equation, we find that

a1 χ1 (g)χ1 (x) + a2 χ2 (g)χ2 (x) + · · · + am χm (g)χm (x) = 0 for all x ∈ G.

On multiplying the first equation by χ1 (g) and subtracting it from the second, we obtain
the equation
a02 χ2 + · · · + a0m χm = 0, a0i = ai (χi (g) − χ1 (g)).
The induction hypothesis now shows that a0i = 0 for all i ≥ 2. Since χ2 (g) − χ1 (g) 6= 0,
we must have a2 = 0, and the induction hypothesis shows that all the remaining ai ’s are
also zero.

C OROLLARY 5.15. Let F1 and F2 be fields, and let σ1 , ..., σm be distinct homomorphisms
F1 → F2 . Then σ1 , ..., σm are linearly independent over F2 .
P ROOF. Apply the theorem to χi = σi |F1× .

C OROLLARY 5.16. Let E be a finite separable extension of F of degree m. Let α1 , . . . , αm

be a basis for E over F , and let σ1 , . . . , σm be distinct F -homomorphisms from E into a
field Ω. Then the matrix whose (i, j)th -entry is σi αj is invertible.
Pm Pm
P ROOF. If not, there exist ci ∈ Ω such that i=1 c i σi (α j ) = 0 for all j. But i=1 ci σi : E →
Ω is F -linear, and so this implies that m
P
c σ
i=1 i i (α) = 0 for all α ∈ E, which contradicts
Corollary 5.15.
15
“Whenever n − 1 involves prime factors other than 2, we are always led to equations of higher de-
gree....WE CAN SHOW WITH ALL RIGOR THAT THESE HIGHER-DEGREE EQUATIONS CANNOT
BE AVOIDED IN ANY WAY NOR CAN THEY BE REDUCED TO LOWER-DEGREE EQUATIONS. The
limits of the present work exclude this demonstration here, but we issue this warning lest anyone attempt to
achieve geometric constructions for sections other than the ones suggested by our theory (e.g. sections into
7, 9, 11, 13, 19, etc. parts) and so spend his time uselessly.” Ibid. §365.
The normal basis theorem 57

The normal basis theorem

D EFINITION 5.17. Let E be a finite Galois extension of F with Galois group G. A normal
basis for E is an F -basis of the form {σα | σ ∈ G}, i.e., an F -basis consisting of the
conjugates of an element α of E.

T HEOREM 5.18 (N ORMAL BASIS THEOREM ). Every Galois extension has a normal basis.
P ROOF. Let E/F be a Galois extension with Galois group G. We give two proofs, the
first of which assumes that F is infinite and the second that G is cyclic. Since every Galois
extension of a finite field is cyclic (4.16), this covers all cases.
Assume that F is infinite. This has the consequence that, if f ∈ F [X1 , . . . , Xm ] has
the property that f (a1 , . . . , am ) = 0 for all a1 , . . . , am ∈ F , then f (X1 , . . . , Xm ) = 0. We
prove this by induction on m. For m = 1 it follows from the fact that a nonzero polynomial
in one variable has only finitely many roots. For m > 1, write
i
P
f = ci (X1 , . . . , Xm−1 )Xm .

For any m − 1-tuple, a1 , . . . , am−1 ,

f (a1 , . . . , am−1 , Xm )

is a polynomial in Xm having every element of F as a root. Therefore, each of its coeffi-

cients is zero: ci (a1 , . . . , am−1 ) = 0 for all i. Since this holds for all (a1 , . . . , am−1 ), the
induction hypothesis shows that ci (X1 , . . . , Xm−1 ) is zero.
Now number the elements of G as σ1 , . . . , σm (with σ1 = 1).
Let f (X1 , . . . , Xm ) ∈ F [X1 , . . . , Xm ] have the property that

f (σ1 α, . . . , σm α) = 0

for all α ∈ E. For a basis α1 , . . . , αm of E over F , let

g(Y1 , . . . , Ym ) = f ( m
P Pm
i=1 Yi σ1 αi , i=1 Yi σ2 αi , . . .).

The hypothesis on f implies that g(a1 , . . . , am ) = 0 for all ai ∈ F , and so g = 0. But the
matrix (σi αj ) is invertible (5.16). Since g is obtained from f by an invertible linear change
of variables, f can be obtained from g by the inverse linear change of variables. Therefore
it also is zero.
Write Xi = X(σi ), and let A = (X(σi σj )), i.e., A is the m × m matrix having Xk in
the (i, j)th place if σi σj = σk . Then det(A) is a polynomial in X1 , . . . , Xm , say, det(A) =
f (X1 , . . . , Xm ). Clearly, f (1, 0, . . . , 0) is the determinant of a matrix having exactly one 1
in each row and each column and its remaining entries 0. Hence the rows of the matrix are
a permutation of the rows of the identity matrix, and so its determinant is ±1. In particular,
f is not identically zero, and so there exists an α ∈ E × such that f (σ1 α, . . . , σm α) (=
det(σi σj α)) is nonzero. We shall show that {σi α} is a normal basis. For this, it suffices to
show that σi α are linearly independent over F . Suppose
Pm
j=1 aj σj α = 0
58 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

for some aj ∈ F . On applying σ1 , . . . , σm successively, we obtain a system of m-equations

P
aj σi σj α = 0

in the m “unknowns” aj . Because this system of equations is nonsingular, the aj ’s are zero.
This completes the proof of the lemma in the case that F is infinite.
Now assume that G is cyclic generated, say, by an element σ0 of order n. Then [E :
F ] = n. The minimum polynomial of σ0 regarded as an endomorphism of the F -vector
space E is the monic polynomial in F [X] of least degree such that P (σ0 ) = 0 (as an
endomorphism of E). It has the property that it divides every polynomial Q(X) ∈ F [X]
such that Q(σ0 ) = 0. Since σ0n = 1, P (X) divides X n − 1. On the other hand, Dedekind’s
theorem on the independence of characters (5.14) implies that id, σ0 , . . . , σ0n−1 are linearly
independent over F , and so deg P (X) > n − 1. We conclude that P (X) = X n − 1.
Therefore, as an F [X]-module with X acting as σ0 , E is isomorphic to F [X]/(X n − 1).
For any generator α of E as a F [X]-module, α, σ0 α, . . . , σ0 αn−1 is a F -basis for E.

Hilbert’s Theorem 90.

Let G be a finite group. A G-module is an abelian group M together with an action of G,
i.e., a map G × M → M such that
(a) σ(m + m0 ) = σm + σm0 for all σ ∈ G, m, m0 ∈ M ;
(b) (στ )(m) = σ(τ m) for all σ, τ ∈ G, m ∈ M ;
(c) 1m = m for all m ∈ M .
Thus, to give an action of G on M is the same as to give a homomorphism G → Aut(M )
(automorphisms of M as an abelian group).

E XAMPLE 5.19. Let E be a Galois extension of F , with Galois group G. Then (E, +) and
(E × , ·) are G-modules.
Let M be a G-module. A crossed homomorphism is a map f : G → M such that

f (στ ) = f (σ) + σf (τ ) for all σ, τ ∈ G.

Note that the condition implies that f (1) = f (1 · 1) = f (1) + f (1), and so f (1) = 0.

E XAMPLE 5.20. (a) Let f : G → M be a crossed homomorphism. For any σ ∈ G,

f (σ 2 ) = f (σ) + σf (σ),
f (σ 3 ) = f (σ · σ 2 ) = f (σ) + σf (σ) + σ 2 f (σ)
... = ...
f (σ n ) = f (σ) + σf (σ) + · · · + σ n−1 f (σ).

Thus, if G is a cyclic group of order n generated by σ, then a crossed homomorphism

f : G → M is determined by its value, x say, on σ, and x satisfies the equation

x + σx + · · · + σ n−1 x = 0, (*)
Hilbert’s Theorem 90. 59

Conversely, if x ∈ M satisfies (*), then the formulas f (σ i ) = x + σx + · · · + σ i−1 x

define a crossed homomorphism f : G → M . Thus, for a finite group G = hσi, there is a
one-to-one correspondence

f ↔f (σ)
{crossed homs f : G → M } ←→ {x ∈ M satisfying (*)}.

(b) For any x ∈ M , we obtain a crossed homomorphism by putting

f (σ) = σx − x, all σ ∈ G.

Such a crossed homomorphism is called a principal crossed homomorphism.

(c) If G acts trivially on M , i.e., σm = m for all σ ∈ G and m ∈ M , then a crossed
homomorphism is simply a homomorphism, and there are no nonzero principal crossed
homomorphisms.
The sum and difference of two crossed homomorphisms is again a crossed homomor-
phism, and the sum and difference of two principal crossed homomorphisms is again prin-
cipal. Thus we can define

{crossed homomorphisms}
H 1 (G, M ) =
{principal crossed homomorphisms}

(quotient abelian group). The cohomology groups H n (G, M ) have been defined for all
n ∈ N, but since this was not done until the twentieth century, it will not be discussed in
this course.

E XAMPLE 5.21. Let π : X̃ → X be the universal covering space of a topological space X,

and let Γ be the group of covering transformations. Under some fairly general hypotheses,
a Γ-module M will define a sheaf M on X, and H 1 (X, M) ∼ = H 1 (Γ, M ). For example,
when M = Z with the trivial action of Γ, this becomes the isomorphism H 1 (X, Z) ∼ =
1
H (Γ, Z) = Hom(Γ, Z).

T HEOREM 5.22. Let E be a Galois extension of F with group G; then H 1 (G, E × ) = 0,

i.e., every crossed homomorphism G → E × is principal.

P ROOF. Let f be a crossed homomorphism G → E × . In multiplicative notation, this

means,
f (στ ) = f (σ) · σ(f (τ )), σ, τ ∈ G,
σγ
and we have to find a γ ∈ E × such that f (σ) = γ
for all σ ∈ G. Because the f (τ ) are
nonzero, Corollary 5.15 implies that
P
τ ∈G f (τ )τ :E→E

is not the zero map, i.e., there exists an α ∈ E such that

df P
β= τ ∈G f (τ )τ α 6= 0.
60 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

But then, for σ ∈ G,

P
σβ = τ ∈G σ(f (τ )) · στ (α)
= τ ∈G f (σ)−1 f (στ ) · στ (α)
P

= f (σ)−1 τ ∈G f (στ )στ (α),

P

β
which equals f (σ)−1 β because, as τ runs over G, so also does στ . Therefore, f (σ) = σ(β)
and we can take β = γ −1 .
Let E be a Galois extension of F with Galois group G. We define the norm of an
element α ∈ E to be Q
Nm α = σ∈G σα.
For τ ∈ G, Q
τ (Nm α) = σ∈G τ σα = Nm α,
and so Nm α ∈ F . The map
α 7→ Nm α : E × → F ×
is a obviously a homomorphism.
√
E XAMPLE√ 5.23.2 The norm map C× → R× is α 7→ |α|2 and the norm map Q[ d]× → Q×
is a + b d 7→ a − db2 .
We are interested in determining the kernel of the norm map. Clearly if α is of the form
β
τβ
, then Nm(α) = 1. Our next result show that, for cyclic extensions, all elements with
norm 1 are of this form.

C OROLLARY 5.24 (H ILBERT ’ S THEOREM 90). 16 Let E be a finite cyclic extension of F

with Galois group hσi; if NmE/F α = 1, then α = β/σβ for some β ∈ E.
P ROOF. Let m = [E : F ]. The condition on α is that α · σα · · · σ m−1 α = 1, and so (5.20a)
there is a crossed homomorphism f : hσi → E × with f (σ) = α. Theorem 5.22 now shows
that f is principal, which means that there is a β with f (σ) = β/σβ.

Cyclic extensions.
We are now able to classify the cyclic extensions of degree n of a field F in the case that F
contains n nth roots of 1.

T HEOREM 5.25. Let F be a field containing a primitive nth root of 1.

(a) The Galois group of X n − a is cyclic of order dividing n.
(b) Conversely, if E is cyclic of degree n over F , then there is an element β ∈ E such
that E = F [β] and β n ∈ F ; hence E is the splitting field of X n − β n .
16
This is Satz 90 in Hilbert’s book, Theorie der Algebraischen Zahlkörper, 1897. The theorem was discov-
ered by Kummer in the special case of Q[ζp ]/Q, and generalized to Theorem 5.22 by E. Noether. Theorem
5.22, as well as various vast generalizations of it, are also referred to as Hilbert’s Theorem 90.
For an illuminating discussion of Hilbert’s book, see the introduction to the English translation (Springer
1998) written by F. Lemmermeyer and N. Schappacher.
Proof of Galois’s solvability theorem 61

P ROOF. (a) If α is one root of X n − a, then the other roots are the elements of the form ζα
with ζ an n th root of 1. Hence the splitting field of X n − a is F [α]. The map σ 7→ σα
α
is an
injective homomorphism from Gal(F [α]/F ) into the cyclic group hζi.
(b) Let ζ be a primitive nth root of 1 in F , and let σ generate Gal(E/F ). Then Nm ζ =
ζ n = 1, and so, according to Hilbert’s Theorem 90, there is an element β ∈ E such that
σβ = ζβ. Then σ i β = ζ i β, and so only the identity element of Gal(E/F ) fixes β — we
conclude by the fundamental theorem of Galois theory that E = F [β]. On the other hand
σβ n = ζ n β n = β n , and so β n ∈ F.

R EMARK 5.26. (a) Assume F contains a primitive nth root of 1. Then, two cyclic extension
1 1
F [a n ] and F [b n ] of F are isomorphic if and only if a and b generate the same subgroup of
F × /F ×n .
(b) The polynomial X n −a, n ≥ 2, is irreducible in F [X] under the following condition:
a is not a pth power for any p dividing n, and, if 4|n, then a ∈ / −4F 4 . See Lang, Algebra,
Addison-Wesley, 1965, VIII, §9, Theorem 16.
(c) If F has characteristic p (hence has no pth roots of 1 other than 1), then X p − X − a
is irreducible in F [X] unless a = bp − b for some b ∈ F , and when it is irreducible, its
Galois group is cyclic of order p (generated by α 7→ α + 1 where α is a root). Moreover,
every extension of F which is cyclic of degree p is the splitting field of such a polynomial.

R EMARK 5.27 (K UMMER THEORY ). Theorem 5.25 and Remark 5.26a classify the cyclic
extensions of F order n in the case that F contains a primitive nth root of 1. Under the same
assumption on F , it is possible to extend this to a classification of the Galois extensions of
F with abelian Galois group of exponent n (i.e., with Galois group a quotient of (Z/nZ)r
for some r).
Let E be such an extension of F , and let

S(E) = {a ∈ F × | a becomes an nth power in E}.

Then S(E) is a subgroup of F × containing F ×n , and the map E 7→ S(E) defines a one-
to-one correspondence between the abelian extensions of E of exponent n and the groups
S(E),
F × ⊃ S(E) ⊃ F ×n ,
×n
Q thatn (S(E) : F ) < ∞. The field E is recovered from S(E)
such as the splitting field
of (X − a) (product over a set of representatives for S(E)/F ×n ). Moreover, there is a
perfect pairing

σa S(E)
(a, σ) 7→ : × Gal(E/F ) → µn (group of nth roots of 1).
a F ×n
In particular, [E : F ] = (S(E) : F ×n ). (Cf. Exercise 5 for the case n = 2.)

Proof of Galois’s solvability theorem

L EMMA 5.28. Let f ∈ F [X] be separable, and let F 0 be an extension field of F . Then the
Galois group of f as an element of F 0 [X] is a subgroup of that of f as an element of F [X].
62 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

P ROOF. Let E 0 be a splitting field for f over F 0 , and let α1 , . . . , αm be the roots of f (X)
in E 0 . Then E = F [α1 , ..., αm ] is a splitting field of f over F . Any element of Gal(E 0 /F 0 )
permutes the αi and so maps E into itself. The map σ 7→ σ|E is an injection Gal(E 0 /F 0 ) →
Gal(E/F ).
T HEOREM 5.29. Let F be a field of characteristic 0. A polynomial in F [X] is solvable if
and only if its Galois group is solvable.
P ROOF. ⇐=: Let f ∈ F [X] have solvable Galois group Gf . Let F 0 = F [ζ] where ζ is a
primitive nth root of 1 for some large n — for example, n = (deg f )! will do. The lemma
shows that the Galois group G of f as an element of F 0 [X] is a subgroup of Gf , and hence
is also solvable (GT 6.6a). This means that there is a sequence of subgroups

G = G0 ⊃ G1 ⊃ · · · ⊃ Gm−1 ⊃ Gm = {1}

such that each Gi is normal in Gi−1 and Gi−1 /Gi is cyclic. Let E be a splitting field of
f (X) over F 0 , and let Fi = E Gi . We have a sequence of fields

F ⊂ F [ζ] = F 0 = F0 ⊂ F1 ⊂ F2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Fm = E
[F :F ]
with Fi cyclic over Fi−1 . Theorem 5.25b shows that Fi = Fi−1 [αi ] with αi i i−1 ∈ Fi−1 ,
each i, and this shows that f is solvable.
=⇒: It suffices to show that Gf is a quotient of a solvable group (GT 6.6a). Hence it
suffices to find a solvable extension Ẽ of F such that f (X) splits in Ẽ[X].
We are given that there exists a tower of fields

F = F0 ⊂ F1 ⊂ F2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Fm

such that
(a) Fi = Fi−1 [αi ], αiri ∈ Fi−1 ;
(b) Fm contains a splitting field for f.
Let n = r1 · · · rm , and let Ω be a field Galois over F and containing (a copy of) Fm and
a primitive nth root ζ of 1. For example, choose a primitive element γ for Fm /F (see 5.1),
and take Ω to be a splitting field of g(X)(X n − 1) where g(X) is the minimum polynomial
of γ over F .
Let G be the Galois group of Ω/F , and let Ẽ be the Galois closure of Fm [ζ] in Ω.
According to (3.17a), Ẽ is the composite of the fields σFm [ζ], σ ∈ G, and so it is generated
over F by the elements

ζ, α1 , α2 , . . . , αm , σα1 , . . . , σαm , σ 0 α1 , . . . .

We adjoin these elements to F one by one to get a sequence of fields

F ⊂ F [ζ] ⊂ F [ζ, α1 ] ⊂ · · · ⊂ F 0 ⊂ F 00 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Ẽ

in which each field F 00 is obtained from its predecessor F 0 by adjoining an rth root of
an element of F 0 (r = r1 , . . . , rm , or n). According to (5.8) and (5.25a), each of these
extensions is cyclic, and so Ẽ/F is a solvable extension.
The general polynomial of degree n 63

The general polynomial of degree n

When we say that the roots of
aX 2 + bX + c
are √
−b ± b2 − 4ac
2a
we are thinking of a, b, c as variables: for any particular values of a, b, c, the formula gives
the roots of the particular equation. We shall prove in this section that there is no similar
formula for the roots of the “general polynomial” of degree ≥ 5.
We define the general polynomial of degree n to be

f (X) = X n − t1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n tn ∈ F [t1 , ..., tn ][X]

where the ti are variables. We shall show that, when we regard f as a polynomial in X with
coefficients in the field F (t1 , . . . , tn ), its Galois group is Sn . Then Theorem 5.29 proves
the above remark (at least in characteristic zero).

Symmetric polynomials
Let R be a commutative ring (with 1). A polynomial P (X1 , ..., Xn ) ∈ R[X1 , . . . , Xn ] is
said to be symmetric if it is unchanged when its variables are permuted, i.e., if

P (Xσ(1) , . . . , Xσ(n) ) = P (X1 , . . . , Xn ), all σ ∈ Sn .

For example
P
p1 = Pi Xi = X1 + X2 + · · · + Xn ,
p2 = XX = X1 X2 + X1 X3 + · · · + X1 Xn + X2 X3 + · · · + Xn−1 Xn ,
Pi<j i j
p3 = i<j<k Xi Xj Xk , = X1 X2 X3 + · · ·
··· P
pr = i1 <···<ir Xi1 ...Xir
···
pn = X1 X2 · · · Xn

are all symmetric because pr is the sum of all monomials of degree r made up out of distinct
Xi ’s. These particular polynomials are called the elementary symmetric polynomials.
T HEOREM 5.30 (S YMMETRIC POLYNOMIALS THEOREM ). Every symmetric polynomial
P (X1 , ..., Xn ) in R[X1 , ..., Xn ] is equal to a polynomial in the elementary symmetric poly-
nomials with coefficients in R, i.e., P ∈ R[p1 , ..., pn ].
P ROOF. We define an ordering on the monomials in the Xi by requiring that

X1i1 X2i2 · · · Xnin > X1j1 X2j2 · · · Xnjn

if either
i1 + i 2 + · · · + in > j 1 + j 2 + · · · + j n
64 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

or equality holds and, for some s,

i1 = j1 , . . . , is = js , but is+1 > js+1 .

For example,
X1 X23 X3 > X1 X22 X3 > X1 X2 X32 .
Let X1k1 · · · Xnkn be the highest monomial occurring in P with a coefficient c 6= 0. Because
P is symmetric, it contains all monomials obtained from X1k1 · · · Xnkn by permuting the
X’s. Hence k1 ≥ k2 ≥ · · · ≥ kn .
The highest monomial in pi is X1 · · · Xi , and it follows that the highest monomial in
pd11 · · · pdnn is
X1d1 +d2 +···+dn X2d2 +···+dn · · · Xndn . (1)
Therefore the highest monomial of P (X1 , . . . , Xn ) − cpk11 −k2 pk22 −k3 · · · pknn is strictly less
than the highest monomial in P (X1 , . . . , Xn ). We can repeat this argument with the poly-
nomial on the left, and after a finite number of steps, we will arrive at a representation of P
as a polynomial in p1 , . . . , pn .

Let f (X) = X n + a1 X n−1 + · · · + an ∈ R[X], and suppose that f splits over some
ring S containing R:
f (X) = ni=1 (X − αi ), αi ∈ S.
Q

Then

a1 = −p1 (α1 , . . . , αn ), a2 = p2 (α1 , . . . , αn ), ..., an = ±pn (α1 , . . . , αn ).

Thus the elementary symmetric polynomials in the roots of f (X) lie in R, and so the
theorem implies that every symmetric polynomial in the roots of f (X) lies in R. For
example, the discriminant Y
D(f ) = (αi − αj )2
i<j

of f lies in R.

Symmetric functions
T HEOREM 5.31 (S YMMETRIC FUNCTIONS THEOREM ). When Sn acts on E = F (X1 , ..., Xn )
by permuting the Xi ’s, the field of invariants is F (p1 , ..., pn ).

P ROOF. Let f ∈ F (X1 , . . . , Xn ) be symmetric

Q (i.e., fixed by Sn ). Set f = g/h, g, h ∈
F [X1 , . . . , Xn ]. The polynomials H = σ∈Sn σh and Hf are symmetric, and therefore lie
in F [p1 , . . . , pn ] (5.30). Hence their quotient f = Hf /H lies in F (p1 , . . . , pn ).

C OROLLARY 5.32. The field F (X1 , ..., Xn ) is Galois over F (p1 , ..., pn ) with Galois group
Sn (acting by permuting the Xi ).

P ROOF. We have shown that F (p1 , . . . , pn ) = F (X1 , . . . , Xn )Sn , and so this follows from
(3.10).
The general polynomial of degree n 65

The general polynomial of degree n

T HEOREM 5.33. The Galois group of the general polynomial of degree n is Sn .

P ROOF. Let f (X) be the general polynomial of degree n,

f (X) = X n − t1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n tn ∈ F [t1 , ..., tn ][X].

If we can show that the map

ti 7→ pi : F [t1 , . . . , tn ] → F [p1 , . . . , pn ]

is injective (i.e., the pi are algebraically independent over F , see p77), then it will extend
to an isomorphism
F (t1 , . . . , tn ) → F (p1 , . . . , pn )
sending f (X) to

g(X) = X n − p1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n pn ∈ F (p1 , . . . , pn )[X].

Q
But g(X) = (X − Xi ) in F (X1 , . . . , Xn )[X], and so F (X1 , . . . , Xn ) is the splitting field
of g(X) over F (p1 , . . . , pn ). Corollary 5.32 then shows that g has Galois group Sn , which
must also be the Galois group of f .
Let P (t1 , . . . , tn ) be such that P (p1 , . . . , pn ) = 0. Equation 1, 64, shows that if
m1 (t1 , . . . , tn ) and m2 (t1 , . . . , tn ) are distinct monomials, then m1 (p1 , . . . , pn ) and m2 (p1 , . . . , pn )
have distinct highest monomials. Therefore, cancellation can’t occur, and so P (t1 , . . . , tn )
must be the zero polynomial.

R EMARK 5.34. Since Sn occurs as a Galois group over Q, and every finite group occurs
as a subgroup of some Sn , it follows that every finite group occurs as a Galois group over
some finite extension of Q, but does every finite Galois group occur as a Galois group over
Q itself?
The Hilbert-Noether program for proving this was the following. Hilbert proved that
if G occurs as the Galois group of an extension E ⊃ Q(t1 , ..., tn ) (the ti are variables),
then it occurs infinitely often as a Galois group over Q. For the proof, realize E as the
splitting field of a polynomial f (X) ∈ k[t1 , . . . , tn ][X] and prove that for infinitely many
values of the ti , the polynomial you obtain in Q[X] has Galois group G. (This is quite a
difficult theorem—see Serre, J.-P., Lectures on the Mordell-Weil Theorem, 1989, Chapter
9.) Noether conjectured the following: Let G ⊂ Sn act on F (X1 , ..., Xn ) by permuting the
Xi ; then F (X1 , . . . , Xn )G ≈ F (t1 , ..., tn ) (for variables ti ). Unfortunately, Swan proved in
1969 that the conjecture is false for G the cyclic group of order 47. Hence this approach
can not lead to a proof that all finite groups occur as Galois groups over Q, but it doesn’t
exclude other approaches. [For more information on the problem, see Serre, ibid., Chapter
10, and Serre, J.-P., Topics in Galois Theory, 1992.]

R EMARK 5.35. Take F = C, and consider the subset of Cn+1 defined by the equation

X n − T1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n Tn = 0.
66 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

It is a beautiful complex manifold S of dimension n. Consider the projection

π : S → Cn , (x, t1 , . . . , tn ) 7→ (t1 , . . . , tn ).

Its fibre over a point (a1 , . . . , an ) is the set of roots of the polynomial

X n − a1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n an .

The discriminant D(f ) of f (X) = X n − T1 X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n Tn is a polynomial in

C[T1 , . . . , Tn ]. Let ∆ be the zero set of D(f ) in Cn . Then over each point of Cn r ∆, there
are exactly n points of S, and S r π −1 (∆) is a covering space over Cn r ∆.

A brief history
As far back as 1500 BC, the Babylonians (at least) knew a general formula for the roots of
a quadratic polynomial. Cardan (about 1515 AD) found a general formula for the roots of a
cubic polynomial. Ferrari (about 1545 AD) found a general formula for the roots of quartic
polynomial (he introduced the resolvent cubic, and used Cardan’s result). Over the next
275 years there were many fruitless attempts to obtain similar formulas for higher degree
polynomials, until, in about 1820, Ruffini and Abel proved that there are none.

Norms and traces

Recall that, for an n × n matrix A = (aij )
P
Tr(A) = Pi aii (trace of A)
det(A) = σ∈Sn sign(σ)a1σ(1) · · · anσ(n) , (determinant of A)
cA (X) = det(XIn − A) (characteristic polynomial of A).
Moreover,
cA (X) = X n − Tr(A)X n−1 + · · · + (−1)n det(A).
None of these is changed when A is replaced by its conjugate U AU −1 by an invertible
matrix U . Therefore, for any endomorphism α of a finite dimensional vector space V , we
can define17
Tr(α) = Tr(A), det(α) = det(A), cα (X) = cA (X)
where A is the matrix of α with respect to any basis of V . If β is a second endomorphism
of V ,

Tr(α + β) = Tr(α) + Tr(β);

det(αβ) = det(α) det(β).
17
The coefficients of the characteristic polynomial

cα (X) = X n + c1 X n−1 + · · · + cn ,

of α have the following description

ci = (−1)i Tr(α|Λi V )
— see Bourbaki, N., Algebra, Chapter 3, 8.11.
Norms and traces 67

Now let E be a finite field extension of F of degree n. An element α of E defines an

F -linear map
αL : E → E, x → 7 αx,
and we define

TrE/F (α) = Tr(αL ), NmE/F (α) = det(αL ), cα,E/F (X) = cαL (X).

Thus, TrE/F is a homomorphism (E, +) → (F, +), and NmE/F is a homomorphism

(E × , ·) → (F × , ·).

E XAMPLE 5.36. (a) Consider thefield extension

 C ⊃ R. For α = a + bi, the matrix of αL
a −b
with respect to the basis {1, i} is , and so
b a

TrC/R (α) = 2<(α), NmC/R (α) = |α|2 .

(b) For a ∈ F , aL is multiplication by the scalar a. Therefore

TrE/F (a) = na , NmE/F (a) = an , ca,E/F (X) = (X − a)n

where n = [E : F ].
Let E = Q[α, i] be the splitting field of X 8 − 2. To compute the trace and norm of α in
E, the definition requires us to compute the trace and norm of a 16 × 16 matrix. The next
proposition gives us a quicker method.

P ROPOSITION 5.37. Let E/F be a finite extension of fields, and let f (X) be the minimum
polynomial of α ∈ E. Then

cα,E/F (X) = f (X)[E:F [α]] .

P ROOF. Suppose first that E = F [α]. In this case, we have to show that cα (X) = f (X).
Note that α 7→ αL is an injective homomorphism from E into the ring of endomorphisms
of E as a vector space over F . The Cayley-Hamilton theorem shows that cα (αL ) = 0, and
therefore cα (α) = 0. Hence f |cα , but they are monic of the same degree, and so they are
equal.
For the general case, let β1 , ..., βn be a basis for F [α] over F , and let γ1 , ..., γm be a basis
P F [α]. As we saw in the proof of (1.20), {βi γk } is a basis for E over F . Write
for E over
αβi = aji βj . Then, according Pto the first case proved, A =df (aij ) has characteristic
polynomial f (X). But αβi γk = aji βj γk , and so the matrix of αL with respect to {βi γk }
breaks up into n × n blocks with A’s down the diagonal and zero matrices elsewhere, from
which it follows that cαL (X) = cA (X)m = f (X)m .

C OROLLARY 5.38. Suppose that the roots of the minimum polynomial of α are α1 , . . . , αn
(in some splitting field containing E), and that [E : F [α]] = m. Then
Pn Qn m
Tr(α) = m i=1 αi , NmE/F α = ( i=1 αi ) .
68 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

P ROOF. Write the minimum polynomial of α as

f (X) = X n + a1 X n−1 + · · · + an =
Q
(X − αi ),

so that
P
a1 = − αi , and
an = (−1)n αi .
Q

Then
cα (X) = (f (X))m = X mn + ma1 X mn−1 + · · · + am
n,

so that
P
TrE/F (α) = −ma1 = m αi , and
NmE/F (α) = (−1)mn am
Q m
n = ( αi ) .

E XAMPLE 5.39. (a) Consider the extension C ⊃ R. If α ∈ C \ R, then

cα (X) = f (X) = X 2 − 2<(α)X + |α|2 .

If α ∈ R, then cα (X) = (X − a)2 .

(b) Let
√ E be the splitting
√ field of X 8 − 2. Then E has degree 16 over Q and is generated
by α = 8 2 and i = −1 (see Exercise 16). The minimum polynomial of α is X 8 − 2, and
so
cα,Q[α]/Q (X) = X 8 − 2, cα,E/Q (X) = (X 8 − 2)2
TrQ[α]/Q α = 0, TrE/Q α = 0
NmQ[α]/Q α = −2, NmE/Q α = 4
R EMARK 5.40. Let E be a separable extension of F , and let Σ be the set of F -homomorphisms
of E into an algebraic closure Ω of F . Then
P
TrE/F α = σ∈Σ σα
Q
NmE/F α = σ∈Σ σα.

When E = F [α], this follows from 5.38 and the observation (cf. 2.1b) that the σα are
the roots of the minimum polynomial f (X) of α over F . In the general case, the σα are
still roots of f (X) in Ω, but now each root of f (X) occurs [E : F [α]] times (because each
F -homomorphism F [α] → Ω has [E : F [α]] extensions to E). For example, if E is Galois
over F with Galois group G, then
P
TrE/F α = σ∈G σα
Q
NmE/F α = σ∈G σα.

P ROPOSITION 5.41. For finite extensions E ⊃ M ⊃ F , we have

TrE/M ◦ TrM/F = TrE/F ,

NmE/M ◦ NmM/F = NmE/F .
Norms and traces 69

P ROOF. If E is separable over F , then this can be proved fairly easily using the descriptions
in the above remark. We omit the proof in the general case.

P ROPOSITION 5.42. Let f (X) ∈ F [X] factor as f (X) = m

Q
i=1 (X − αi ) in some splitting
0 df
field, and let α = α1 . Then, with f = dX (formal derivative), we have

disc f (X) = (−1)m(m−1)/2 NmF [α]/F f 0 (α).

P ROOF. Compute that

df Q 2
disc f (X) = i<j (αi − αj )
m(m−1)/2
Q Q
= (−1) · i ( j6=i (αi − αj ))
0
= (−1)m(m−1)/2 ·
Q
if (αi )
= (−1) m(m−1)/2
NmF [α]/F (f 0 (α)) (by 5.40).

E XAMPLE 5.43. We compute the discriminant of

f (X) = X n + aX + b, a, b ∈ F,

assumed to be irreducible and separable, by computing the norm of

df
γ = f 0 (α) = nαn−1 + a, f (α) = 0.

On multiplying the equation

αn + aα + b = 0
by nα−1 and rearranging, we obtain the equation

nαn−1 = −na − nbα−1 .

Hence
γ = nαn−1 + a = −(n − 1)a − nbα−1 .
Solving for α gives
−nb
α= .
γ + (n − 1)a
From the last two equations, it is clear that F [α] = F [γ], and so the minimum polynomial
of γ over F has degree n also. If we write
 
−nb P (X)
f =
X + (n − 1)a Q(X)
P (X) = (X + (n − 1)a)n − na(X + (n − 1)a)n−1 + (−1)n nn bn−1
Q(X) = (X + (n − 1)a)n /b,

then
P (γ) = f (α) · Q(γ) = 0.
70 5 APPLICATIONS OF GALOIS THEORY

As
(γ + (n − 1)a)n (−nb)n
Q(γ) = = 6= 0
b αn b
and P (X) is monic of degree n, it must be the minimum polynomial of γ. Therefore Nm γ
is (−1)n times the constant term of P (X), namely,

Nm γ = nn bn−1 + (−1)n−1 (n − 1)n−1 an .

Therefore,

disc(X n + aX + b) = (−1)n(n−1)/2 (nn bn−1 + (−1)n−1 (n − 1)n−1 an ),

which is something Maple V doesn’t know (because it doesn’t understand symbols as ex-
ponents). For example,

disc(X 5 + aX + b) = 55 b4 + 44 a5 .

Exercises 21–23
21*. For a ∈ Q, let Ga be the Galois group of X 4 + X 3 + X 2 + X + a. Find integers
a1 , a2 , a3 , a4 such that i 6= j =⇒ Gai is not isomorphic go Gaj .
22*. Prove that the rational solutions a, b ∈ Q of Pythagoras’s equation a2 + b2 = 1 are of
the form
s2 − t2 2st
a= 2 2
, b= 2 , s, t ∈ Q,
s +t s + t2
and deduce that any right triangle with integer sides has sides of length

d(m2 − n2 , 2mn, m2 + n2 )

for some integers d, m, and n (Hint: Apply Hilbert’s Theorem 90 to the extension Q[i]/Q.)
23*. Prove that a finite extension of Q can contain only finitely many roots of 1.
 71

6 Algebraic closures
In this section, we prove that Zorn’s lemma implies that every field F has an algebraic
closure Ω. Recall that if F is a subfield C, then the algebraic closure of F in C is an
algebraic closure of F (1.46). If F is countable, then the existence of Ω can be proved as
in the finite field case (4.20), namely, the set of monic irreducible polynomials in F [X] is
countable, and so we can list them f1 , fS 2 , . . .; define Ei inductively by, E0 = F , Ei = a
splitting field of fi over Ei−1 ; then Ω = Ei is an algebraic closure of F .
The difficulty in showing the existence of an algebraic closure of an arbitrary field F is
in the set theory. Roughly speaking, we would like to take a union of a family of splitting
fields indexed by the monic irreducible polynomials in F [X], but we need to find a way
of doing this that is allowed by the axioms of set theory. After reviewing the statement of
Zorn’s Lemma, we sketch three solutions18 to the problem.

Zorn’s Lemma
D EFINITION 6.1. (a) A relation ≤ on a set S is a partial ordering if it reflexive, transitive,
and anti-symmetric (a ≤ b and b ≤ a =⇒ a = b).
(b) A partial ordering is a total ordering if, for all s, t ∈ T , either s ≤ t or t ≤ s.
(c) An upper bound for a subset T of a partially ordered set (S, ≤) is an element s ∈ S
such that t ≤ s for all t ∈ T .
(d) A maximal element of a partially ordered set S is an element s such that s ≤ s0 =⇒
s = s0 .
A partially ordered set need not have any maximal elements, for example, the set of
finite subsets of an infinite set is partially ordered by inclusion, but it has no maximal
elements.

L EMMA 6.2 (Z ORN ’ S ). Let (S, ≤) be a nonempty partially ordered set for which every
totally ordered subset has an upper bound in S. Then S has a maximal element.
Zorn’s Lemma19 is equivalent to the Axiom of Choice, and hence independent of the
axioms of set theory.

R EMARK 6.3. The set S of finite subsets of an infinite set doesn’t contradict Zorn’s Lemma,
because it contains totally ordered subsets with no upper bound in S.
The following proposition is a typical application of Zorn’s Lemma — we shall use a *
to signal results that depend on Zorn’s Lemma (equivalently, the Axiom of Choice).
18
There do exist naturally occurring fields, not contained
P in C, that are uncountable. For example, for
any field F there is a ring F [[T ]] of formal power series i≥0 ai T i , ai ∈ F , and its field of fractions is
uncountable even if F is finite.
19
The following is quoted from A.J. Berrick and M.E. Keating, An Introduction to Rings and Modules,
2000: The name of the statement, although widely used (allegedly first by Lefschetz), has attracted the
attention of historians (Campbell 1978). As a ‘maximum principle’, it was first brought to prominence, and
used for algebraic purposes in Zorn 1935, apparently in ignorance of its previous usage in topology, most
notably in Kuratowski 1922. Zorn attributed to Artin the realization that the ‘lemma’ is in fact equivalent to
the Axiom of Choice (see Jech 1973). Zorn’s contribution was to observe that it is more suited to algebraic
applications like ours.
72 6 ALGEBRAIC CLOSURES

P ROPOSITION 6.4 (*). Every nonzero commutative ring A has a maximal ideal (meaning,
maximal among proper ideals).
P ROOF. Let S be the set of all proper ideals
S in A, partially ordered by inclusion. If T is a
totally ordered set of ideals, then J = I∈T I is again an ideal, and it is proper because if
1 ∈ J then 1 ∈ I for some I in T , and I would not be proper. Thus J is an upper bound
for T . Now Zorn’s lemma implies that S has a maximal element, which is a maximal ideal
in A.

First proof of the existence of algebraic closures

(Bourbaki, 1959, Chap. 5 §4.)20 An F -algebra is a ring containing F as a subring. Let
(Ai )i∈I be a family of commutative F -algebras, and define ⊗F Ai to be the quotient of the
F -vector space with basis ΠAi by the subspace generated by elements of the form:
(xi ) + (yi ) − (zi ) with xj + yj = zj for one j ∈ I and xi = yi = zi for all i 6= j;
(xi ) − a(yi ) with xj = ayj for one j ∈ I and xi = yi for all i 6= j.
It can be made into a commutative F -algebra in an obvious fashion (Bourbaki, 1989, Chap.
3, 3.9)21 , and there are canonical homomorphisms Ai → ⊗F Ai of F -algebras.
For each polynomial f ∈ F [X], choose a splitting field Ef , and let Ω = (⊗F Ef )/M
where M is a maximal ideal in ⊗F Ef (whose existence is ensured by Zorn’s lemma). Note
that F ⊂ ⊗F Ef and M ∩ F = 0. Then Ω has no ideals other than (0) and Ω, and hence
is a field (see 1.2). The composite of the F -homomorphism Ef → ⊗F Ef → Ω, being a
homomorphism of fields, is injective. Since f splits in Ef , it must also split in the larger
field Ω. The algebraic closure of F in Ω is therefore an algebraic closure of F (1.44).

Second proof of the existence of algebraic closures

(Jacobson 1964, p144.). After (4.20) we may assume F to be infinite. This implies that
the cardinality of any field algebraic over F is the same as that of F (ibid. p143). Choose
an uncountable set Ξ of cardinality greater than that of F , and identify F with a subset of
Ξ. Let S be the set triples (E, +, ·) with E ⊂ Ξ and (+, ·) a field structure on E such that
(E, +, ·) contains F as a subfield and is algebraic over it. Write (E, +, ·) ≤ (E 0 , +0 , ·0 )
if the first is a subfield of the second. Apply Zorn’s lemma to show that S has maximal
elements, and then show that a maximal element is algebraically closed. (See ibid. p144
for the details.)

Third proof of the existence of algebraic closures

(E. Artin, see Dummit and Foote 1991, 13.4). Consider the polynomial ring F [. . . , xf , . . .]
in a family of variables xf indexed by the nonconstant monic polynomials f ∈ F [X]. If 1
20
Bourbaki, N., Éléments de mathématique. I: Les structures fondamentales de l’analyse. Fascicule XI.
Livre II: Algèbre. Chapitre 4: Polynomes et fractions rationnelles. Chapitre 5: Corps commutatifs. Deuxième
édition. Actualités Scientifiques et Industrielles, No. 1102 Hermann, Paris 1959 iv+222 pp. (2 inserts). MR
30 #4751
21
Bourbaki, Nicolas. Algebra. I. Chapters 1–3. Translated from the French. Reprint of the 1974 edition.
Elements of Mathematics. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1989. xxiv+709 pp.
(Non)uniqueness of algebraic closures 73

lies in the ideal I in F [. . . , xf , . . .] generated by the polynomials f (xf ), then

g1 f1 (xf1 ) + · · · + gn fn (xfn ) = 1 (in F [. . . , xf , . . .])

for some gi ∈ F [. . . , xf , . . .] and some nonconstant monic fi ∈ F [X]. Let F 0 be an

extension of F containing a root αi of fi , i = 1, . . . , n. Under the F -homomorphism
F [. . . , xf , . . .] → F 0 , 
xfi 7→ αi
xf 7→ 0, f ∈/ {f1 , . . . , fn }
the above relation becomes 0 = 1. From this contradiction, we deduce that 1 does not
lie in I, and so Proposition 6.4 applied to F [. . . , xf , . . .]/I shows that I is contained in a
maximal ideal M . Let E1 = F [. . . , xf , . . .]/M . Then E1 is a field containing (a copy of) F
in which every nonconstant polynomial in F [X] has at least one root. Repeat the process
starting with E1 instead of F to obtain a field E2 . Continue in this way to obtain a sequence
of fields
F = E0 ⊂ E1 ⊂ E2 ⊂ · · · ,
S
and let E = Ei . Then E is algebraically closed, because the coefficients of any noncon-
stant polynomial g ∈ E[X] lie in Ei for some i, and then g has a root in Ei+1 . Therefore,
the algebraic closure of F in E is an algebraic closure of F (1.46).22

(Non)uniqueness of algebraic closures

T HEOREM 6.5 (*). Let Ω be an algebraic closure of F , and let E be an algebraic extension
of F . There exists an F -homomorphism E → Ω, and, if E is also an algebraic closure of
F , then every such homomorphism is an isomorphism.
P ROOF. Suppose first that E is countably generated over F , i.e., E = F [α1 , ..., αn , . . .].
Then we can extend the inclusion map F → Ω to F [α1 ] (map α1 to any root of its minimal
polynomial in Ω), then to F [α1 , α2 ], and so on (see 2.2).
In the uncountable case, we use Zorn’s lemma. Let S be the set of pairs (M, ϕM ) with
M a field F ⊂ M ⊂ E and ϕM an F -homomorphism M → Ω. Write (M, ϕM ) ≤ (N, ϕN )
if M ⊂ N and ϕN |M = ϕM . This makes S S into a partially ordered set. Let T be a
totally ordered subset of S. Then M 0 = M ∈T M is a subfield of E, and we can define
a homomorphism ϕ0 : M 0 → Ω by requiring that ϕ0 (x) = ϕM (x) if x ∈ M . The pair
(M 0 , ϕ0 ) is an upper bound for T in S. Hence Zorn’s lemma gives us a maximal element
(M, ϕ) in S. Suppose that M 6= E. Then there exists an element α ∈ E, α ∈ / M . Since α
is algebraic over M , we can apply (2.2) to extend ϕ to M [α], contradicting the maximality
of M . Hence M = E, and the proof of the first statement is complete.
If E is algebraically closed, then every polynomial f ∈ F [X] splits in E[X] and hence
in ϕ(E)[X]. Let α ∈ Ω, and let f (X) be the minimum polynomial of α. Then X − α is
a factor of f (X) in Ω[X], but, as we just observed, f (X) splits in ϕ(E)[X]. Because of
unique factorization, this implies that α ∈ ϕ(E).
22
In fact, E is algebraic over F . To see this, note that E1 is generated by algebraic elements over F , and
so is algebraic over F (apply 1.45). Similarly, E2 is algebraic over E1 and therefore also over F (see 1.31b).
Continuing in this way, we find that every element of every Ei is algebraic over F .
74 6 ALGEBRAIC CLOSURES

The above proof is a typical application of Zorn’s lemma: once we know how to do
something in a finite (or countable) situation, Zorn’s lemma allows us to do it in general.

R EMARK 6.6. Even for a finite field F , there will exist uncountably many isomorphisms
from one algebraic closure to a second, none of which is to be preferred over any other.
Thus it is (uncountably) sloppy to say that the algebraic closure of F is unique. All one can
say is that, given two algebraic closures Ω, Ω0 of F , then, thanks to Zorn’s Lemma, there
exists an F -isomorphism Ω → Ω0 .
 75

7 Infinite Galois extensions

Recall (3.10) that a finite extension Ω of F is Galois over F if it is normal and separable,
i.e., if every irreducible polynomial f ∈ F [X] having a root in Ω has deg f distinct roots
in Ω. Similarly, we define an algebraic extension Ω of F to be Galois over F if it is normal
and separable. Equivalently, a field Ω ⊃ F is Galois over F if it is a union of subfields E
finite and Galois over F .
For a Galois extension Ω/F , we let Gal(Ω/F ) = Aut(Ω/F ). Consider the map
Q
σ 7→ (σ|E) : Gal(Ω/F ) → Gal(E/F )

(product over the finite Galois extensions E of F contained in Ω). This map is injective,
because Ω is a union of finite
Q Galois extensions. We give each finite group Gal(E/F )
the discrete topology and Gal(E/F ) the product topology, and we give Gal(Ω/F ) the
subspace topology. Thus the subgroups Gal(Ω/E), [E : F ] < ∞, form a fundamental
system of neighbourhoods of 1Q in Gal(Ω/F ).
By the Tychonoff theorem, Gal(E/F ) is compact, and it is easy to see that the image
of Gal(Ω/F ) is closed — hence it is compact and Hausdorff.
T HEOREM 7.1. Let Ω be Galois over F with Galois group G. The maps

H 7→ ΩH , M 7→ Gal(Ω/M )

define a one-to-one correspondence between the closed subgroups of G and the interme-
diate fields M . A field M is of finite degree over F if and only if Gal(Ω/M ) is open in
Gal(Ω/F ).
P ROOF. Omit—it is not difficult given the finite case. See for example, E. Artin, Algebraic
Numbers and Algebraic Functions, p103.
R EMARK 7.2. The remaining assertions in the Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory
carry over to the infinite case provided that one requires the subgroups to be closed.
E XAMPLE 7.3. Let Ω be an algebraic closure of a finite field Fp . Then G = Gal(Ω/Fp )
contains a canonical Frobenius element, σ = (a 7→ ap ), and it is generated by it as a
topological group, i.e., G is the closure of hσi. Endow Z with the topology for which the
groups nZ, n ≥ 1, form a fundamental system of neighbourhoods of 0. Thus two integers
are close if their difference is divisible by a large integer.
As for any topological group, we can complete Z for this topology. A Cauchy sequence
in Z is a sequence (ai )i≥1 , ai ∈ Z, satisfying the following condition: for all n ≥ 1, there
exists an N such that ai ≡ aj mod n for i, j > N . Call a Cauchy sequence in Z trivial
if ai → 0 as i → ∞, i.e., if for all n ≥ 1, there exists an N such that ai ≡ 0 mod n.
The Cauchy sequences form a commutative group, and the trivial Cauchy sequences form
a subgroup. We define Ẑ to be the quotient of the first group by the second. It has a ring
structure, and the map sending m ∈ Z to the constant sequence m, m, m, . . . identifies Z
with a subgroup of Ẑ.
Let α ∈ Ẑ be represented by the Cauchy sequence (ai ). The restriction of σ to Fpn has
order n. Therefore (σ|Fpn )ai is independent of i provided it is sufficiently large, and we can
76 7 INFINITE GALOIS EXTENSIONS

define σ α ∈ Gal(Ω/Fp ) to be such that, for each n, σ α |Fpn = (σ|Fpn )ai for all i sufficiently
large (depending on n). The map α 7→ σ α : Ẑ → Gal(Ω/Fp ) is an isomorphism.
The group Ẑ is uncountable. To most analysts, it is a little weird—its connected com-
ponents are one-point sets. To number theorists itQwill seem quite natural — the Chinese
remainder theorem implies that it is isomorphic to p prime Zp where Zp is the ring of p-adic
integers.

E XAMPLE 7.4. Let Ω be the algebraic closure of Q in C; then Gal(Ω/Q) is one of the
most basic, and intractable, objects in mathematics. It is expected that every finite group
occurs as a quotient of it, and it certainly has Sn as a quotient group for every n (and every
sporadic simple group, and every...). We do understand Gal(F ab /F ) where F ⊂ C is a
finite extension of Q and F ab is the union of all finite abelian extensions of F contained in
C. For example, Gal(Qab /Q) ≈ Ẑ× . (This is abelian class field theory — see my notes
Class Field Theory.)
 77

8 Transcendental extensions
In this section we consider fields Ω ⊃ F with Ω much bigger than F . For example, we
could have C ⊃ Q.
Elements α1 , ..., αn of Ω give rise to an F -homomorphism

f 7→ f (α1 , ..., αn ) : F [X1 , . . . , Xn ] → Ω.

If the kernel of this homomorphism is zero, then the αi are said to be algebraically in-
dependent over F , and otherwise, they are algebraically dependent over F . Thus, the αi
are algebraically dependent over F if there exists a nonzero polynomial f (X1 , ..., Xn ) ∈
F [X1 , ..., Xn ] such that f (α1 , ..., αn ) = 0, and they are algebraically independent if
X
ai1 ,...,in ∈ F, ai1 ,...,in α1i1 ...αnin = 0 =⇒ ai1 ,...,in = 0 all i1 , ..., in .

Note the similarity with linear independence. In fact, if f is required to be homogeneous

of degree 1, then the definition becomes that of linear independence.

E XAMPLE 8.1. (a) A single element α is algebraically independent over F if and only if it
is transcendental over F.
(b) The complex numbers π and e are almost certainly algebraically independent over
Q, but this has not been proved.
An infinite set A is algebraically independent over F if every finite subset of A is
algebraically independent; otherwise, it is algebraically dependent over F .

R EMARK 8.2. If α1 , ..., αn are algebraically independent over F , then

f (X1 , ..., Xn ) 7→ f (α1 , ..., αn ) : F [X1 , ..., Xn ] → F [α1 , ..., αn ]

is an injection, and hence an isomorphism. This isomorphism then extends to the fields of
fractions,
Xi 7→ αi : F (X1 , ..., Xn ) → F (α1 , ..., αn )
In this case, F (α1 , ..., αn ) is called a pure transcendental extension of F . The polynomial

f (X) = X n − α1 X n−1 + . . . (−1)n αn

has Galois group Sn over F (α1 , ..., αn ) (5.33).

L EMMA 8.3. Let γ ∈ Ω and let A ⊂ Ω. The following conditions are equivalent:
(a) γ is algebraic over F (A);
(b) there exist β1 , . . . , βn ∈ F (A) such that γ n + β1 γ n−1 + · · · + βn = 0;
(c) there exist β0 , β1 , . . . , βn ∈ F [A], not all 0, such that β0 γ n + β1 γ n−1 + · · · + βn = 0;
(d) there exists an f (X1 , . . . , Xm , Y ) ∈ F [X1 . . . , Xm , Y ] and α1 , . . . , αm ∈ A such
that f (α1 , . . . , αm , Y ) 6= 0 but f (α1 , . . . , αm , γ) = 0.
78 8 TRANSCENDENTAL EXTENSIONS

P ROOF. (a) =⇒ (b) =⇒ (c) =⇒ (a) are obvious.

(d) =⇒ (c). Write f (X1 , . . . , Xm , Y ) as a polynomial in Y with coefficients in F [X1 , . . . , Xm ],

f (X1 , . . . , Xm , Y ) = fi (X1 , . . . , Xm )Y n−i .

P

Then (c) holds with βi = fi (α1 , . . . , αm ).

(c) =⇒ (d). The βi in (c) can be expressed as polynomials in a finite number of elements
. , αm of A, say, βi = fi (α1 , . . . , αm ) with fi ∈ F [X1 , . . . , Xm ]. Then (d) holds with
α1 , . .P
f = fi (X1 , . . . , Xm )Y n−i .

D EFINITION 8.4. When γ satisfies the equivalent conditions of Lemma 8.3, it is said to be
algebraically dependent on A (over F ). A set B is algebraically dependent on A if each
element of B is algebraically dependent on A.
The theory in the remainder of this section is logically very similar to a part of linear
algebra. It is useful to keep the following correspondences in mind:

Linear algebra Transcendence

linearly independent algebraically independent
A ⊂ span(B) A algebraically dependent on B
basis transcendence basis
dimension transcendence degree

T HEOREM 8.5 (F UNDAMENTAL RESULT ). Let A = {α1 , ..., αm } and B = {β1 , ..., βn } be
two subsets of Ω. Assume
(a) A is algebraically independent (over F );
(b) A is algebraically dependent on B (over F ).
Then m ≤ n.
We first prove two lemmas.

L EMMA 8.6 (T HE EXCHANGE PROPERTY ). Let {α1 , ..., αm } be a subset of Ω; if β is al-

gebraically dependent on {α1 , ..., αm } but not on {α1 , ..., αm−1 }, then αm is algebraically
dependent on {α1 , ..., αm−1 , β}.
P ROOF. Because β is algebraically dependent on {α1 , . . . , αm }, there exists a polynomial
f (X1 , ..., Xm , Y ) with coefficients in F such that

f (α1 , ..., αm , Y ) 6= 0, f (α1 , ..., αm , β) = 0.

Write f as a polynomial in Xm ,
X
n−i
f (X1 , ..., Xm , Y ) = ai (X1 , ..., Xm−1 , Y )Xm ,
i

and observe that, because f (α1 , . . . , αm , Y ) 6= 0, at least one of the polynomials ai (α1 , ..., αm−1 , Y ),
say ai0 , is not the zero polynomial. Because β is not algebraically dependent on {α1 , ..., αm−1 },
ai0 (α1 , ..., αm−1 , β) 6= 0. Therefore, f (α1 , ..., αm−1 , Xm , β) 6= 0. Since f (α1 , ..., αm , β) =
0, this shows that αm is algebraically dependent on {α1 , ..., αm−1 , β}.
 79

L EMMA 8.7 (T RANSITIVITY OF ALGEBRAIC DEPENDENCE ). If C is algebraically depen-

dent on B, and B is algebraically dependent on A, then C is algebraically dependent on
A.
P ROOF. The argument in the proof of Proposition 1.44 shows that if γ is algebraic over a
field E which is algebraic over a field F , then γ is algebraic over F (if a1 , . . . , an are the
coefficients of the minimum polynomial of γ over E, then the field F [a1 , . . . , an , γ] has
finite degree over F ). Apply this with E = F (A ∪ B) and F = F (A).
P ROOF OF T HEOREM 8.5. Let k be the number of elements that A and B have in com-
mon. If k = m, then A ⊂ B, and certainly m ≤ n. Suppose that k < m, and write B =
{α1 , ..., αk , βk+1 , ..., βn }. Since αk+1 is algebraically dependent on {α1 , ..., αk , βk+1 , ..., βn }
but not on {α1 , ..., αk }, there will be a βj , k + 1 ≤ j ≤ n, such that αk+1 is algebraically
dependent on {α1 , ..., αk , βk+1 , ..., βj } but not

{α1 , ..., αk , βk+1 , ..., βj−1 }.

The exchange lemma then shows that βj is algebraically dependent on

df
B1 = B ∪ {αk+1 } r {βj }.

Therefore B is algebraically dependent on B1 , and so A is algebraically dependent on B1

(by 8.7). If k + 1 < m, repeat the argument with A and B1 . Eventually we’ll achieve
k = m, and m ≤ n.

D EFINITION 8.8. A transcendence basis for Ω over F is an algebraically independent set

A such that Ω is algebraic over F (A).

L EMMA 8.9. If Ω is algebraic over F (A), and A is minimal among subsets of Ω with this
property, then it is a transcendence basis for Ω over F .
P ROOF. If A is not algebraically independent, then there is an α ∈ S that is algebraically
dependent on Sr{α}. It follows from Lemma 8.7 that Ω is algebraic over F (Ar{α}).

T HEOREM 8.10. If there is a finite subset A ⊂ Ω such that Ω is algebraic over F (A), then
Ω has a finite transcendence basis over F . Moreover, every transcendence basis is finite,
and they all have the same number of elements.
P ROOF. In fact, any minimal subset A0 of A such that Ω is algebraic over F (A0 ) will be a
transcendence basis. The second statement follows from Theorem 8.5.

L EMMA 8.11. Suppose that A is algebraically independent, but that A ∪ {β} is alge-
braically dependent. Then β is algebraic over F (A).
P ROOF. The hypothesis is that there exists a nonzero polynomial f (X1 , ..., Xn , Y ) ∈ F [X1 , ..., Xn , Y ]
such that f (α1 , ..., αn , β) = 0, some distinct α1 , ..., αn ∈ A. Because A is algebraically
independent, Y does occur in f . Therefore

f = g0 Y m + g1 Y m−1 + · · · + gm , gi ∈ F [X1 , ..., Xn ], g0 6= 0, m ≥ 1.

80 8 TRANSCENDENTAL EXTENSIONS

As g0 6= 0 and the αi are algebraically independent, g0 (α1 , ..., αn ) 6= 0. Because β is a root

of
f = g0 (α1 , ..., αn )X m + g1 (α1 , ..., αn )X m−1 + · · · + gm (α1 , ..., αn ),
it is algebraic over F (α1 , ..., αn ) ⊂ F (A).

P ROPOSITION 8.12. Every maximal algebraically independent subset of Ω is a transcen-

dence basis for Ω over F .

P ROOF. We have to prove that Ω is algebraic over F (A) if A is maximal among alge-
braically independent subsets. But the maximality implies that, for every β ∈ Ω r A,
A ∪ {β} is algebraically dependent, and so the lemma shows that β is algebraic over
F (A).

T HEOREM 8.13 (*). Every field Ω containing F has a transcendence basis over F.

P ROOF. Let S be the set of algebraically independent subsets of Ω. We can partially order
it by inclusion. Let T be a totally ordered subset, and let B = ∪{A | A ∈ T }. I claim that
B ∈ S, i.e., that B is algebraically independent. If not, there exists a finite subset B 0 of
B that is not algebraically independent. But such a subset will be contained in one of the
sets in T , which is a contradiction. Now Zorn’s Lemma shows that there exists a maximal
algebraically independent, which, according to Proposition 8.12, is a transcendence basis
for Ω over F .

It is possible to show that any two (possibly infinite) transcendence bases for Ω over F
have the same cardinality. The cardinality of a transcendence basis for Ω over F is called
the transcendence degree of Ω over F . For example, the pure transcendental extension
F (X1 , . . . , Xn ) has transcendence degree n over F .

E XAMPLE 8.14. Let p1 , . . . , pn be the elementary symmetric polynomials in X1 , . . . , Xn .

The field F (X1 , . . . , Xn ) is algebraic over F (p1 , . . . , pn ), and so {p1 , p2 , . . . , pn } contains a
transcendence basis for F (X1 , . . . , Xn ). Because F (X1 , . . . , Xn ) has transcendence degree
n, the pi ’s must themselves be a transcendence basis.

E XAMPLE 8.15. Let Ω be the field of meromorphic functions on a compact complex man-
ifold M .
(a) The only meromorphic functions on the Riemann sphere are the rational functions
in z. Hence, in this case, Ω is a pure transcendental extension of C of transcendence degree
1.
(b) If M is a Riemann surface, then the transcendence degree of Ω over C is 1, and Ω
is a pure transcendental extension of C ⇐⇒ M is isomorphic to the Riemann sphere
(c) If M has complex dimension n, then the transcendence degree is ≤ n, with equality
holding if M is embeddable in some projective space.

P ROPOSITION 8.16. Any two algebraically closed fields with the same transcendence de-
gree over F are F -isomorphic.
 81

P ROOF. Choose transcendence bases A and A0 for the two fields. By assumption, there
exists a bijection ϕ : A → A0 , which ϕ extends uniquely to an F -isomorphism ϕ : F [A] →
F [A0 ], and hence to an F -isomorphism of the fields of fractions F (A) → F (A0 ). Use this
isomorphism to identify F (A) with F (A0 ). Then the two fields in question are algebraic
closures of the same field, and hence are isomorphic (Theorem 6.5).

R EMARK 8.17. Any two algebraically closed fields with the same uncountable cardinality
and the same characteristic are isomorphic. The idea of the proof is as follows. Let F and
F 0 be the prime subfields of Ω and Ω0 ; we can identify F with F 0 . Then show that when Ω
is uncountable, the cardinality of Ω is the same as the cardinality of a transcendence basis
over F . Finally, apply the proposition.

R EMARK 8.18. What are the automorphisms of C? There are only two continuous auto-
morphisms (cf. Exercise 31 and solution). If we assume Zorn’s Lemma, then it is easy
to construct many: choose any transcendence basis A for C over Q, and choose any per-
mutation α of A; then α defines an isomorphism Q(A) → Q(A) that can be extended to
an automorphism of C. Without Zorn’s Lemma, there are only two, because the noncon-
tinuous automorphisms are nonmeasurable (or, so I’ve been told), and it is known that the
Zorn’s Lemma (equivalently, the Axiom of Choice) is required to construct nonmeasurable
functions.

T HEOREM 8.19 (L ÜROTH ’ S THEOREM ). Any subfield E of F (X) containing F but not
equal to F is a pure transcendental extension of F .
P ROOF. Jacobson 1964, IV 4, p157.

R EMARK 8.20. This fails when there is more than one variable — see Zariski’s example
(footnote to Remark 5.5) and Swan’s example (Remark 5.34). The best true statement is
the following: if [F (X, Y ) : E] < ∞ and F is algebraically closed of characteristic zero,
then E is a pure transcendental extension of F (Theorem of Zariski, 1958).
82 A REVIEW EXERCISES

A Review exercises
24. Let p be a prime number, and let m and n be positive integers.
(a) Give necessary and sufficient conditions on m and n for Fpn to have a subfield iso-
morphic with Fpm . Prove your answer.
(b) If there is such a subfield, how many subfields isomorphic with Fpm are there, and
why?
25. Show that the Galois group of the splitting field F of X 3 − 7 over Q is isomorphic
to S3 , and exhibit the fields between Q and F . Which of the fields between Q and F are
normal over Q?
√ √
26. Prove that the two fields Q[ 7] and Q[ 11] are not isomorphic.
27.
(a) Prove that the multiplicative group of all nonzero elements in a finite field is cyclic.
(b) Construct explicitly a field of order 9, and exhibit a generator for its multiplicative
group.
28. Let X be transcendental over a field F , and let E be a subfield of F (X) properly
containing F . Prove that X is algebraic over E.
29. Prove as directly as you can that if ζ is a primitive pth root of 1, p prime, then the Galois
group of Q[ζ] over Q is cyclic of order p − 1.
30. Let G be the Galois group of the polynomial X 5 − 2 over Q.
(a) Determine the order of G.
(b) Determine whether G is abelian.
(c) Determine whether G is solvable.
31.
(a) Show that every field homomorphism from R to R is bijective.
(b) Prove that C is isomorphic to infinitely many different subfields of itself.
32. Let F be a field with 16 elements. How many roots in F does each of the following
polynomials have? X 3 − 1; X 4 − 1; X 15 − 1; X 17 − 1.
33. Find the degree of a splitting field of the polynomial (X 3 − 5)(X 3 − 7) over Q.
34. Find the Galois group of the polynomial X 6 − 5 over each of the fields Q and R.
35. The coefficients of a polynomial f (X) are algebraic over a field F . Show that f (X)
divides some nonzero polynomial g(X) with coefficients in F .
36. Let f (X) be a polynomial in F [X] of degree n, and let E be a splitting field of f . Show
that [E : F ] divides n!.
√ √
37.√Find
√ a primitive element for the field Q[ 3, 7] over Q, i.e., an element such that
Q[ 3, 7] = Q[α].
38. Let G be the Galois group of (X 4 − 2)(X 3 − 5) over Q.
(a) Give a set of generators for G, as well as a set of defining relations.
 83

(b) What is the structure of G as an abstract group (is it cyclic, dihedral, alternating,
symmetric, etc.)?
39. Let F be a finite field of characteristic 6= 2. Prove that X 2 = −1 has a solution in F if
and only if #F ≡ 1 mod 4.
40. Let E be the splitting field over Q of (X 2 − 2)(X 2 − 5)(X 2 − 7). Find an element α
in E such that E = Q[α]. (You must prove that E = Q[α].)
41. Let E be a Galois extension of F with Galois group Sn , n > 1 not prime. Let H1 be
the subgroup of Sn of elements fixing 1, and let H2 be the subgroup generated by the cycle
(123 . . . n). Let Ei = E Hi , i = 1, 2. Find the degrees of E1 , E2 , E1 ∩ E2 , and E1 E2 over
F . Show that there exists a field M such that F ⊂ M ⊂ E2 , M 6= F , M 6= E2 , but that no
such field exists for E1 .
42. Let ζ be a primitive 12th root of 1 over Q. How many fields are there strictly between
Q[ζ 3 ] and Q[ζ].
43. For the polynomial X 3 − 3, find explicitly its splitting field over Q and elements that
generate its Galois group.
44. Let E = Q[ζ], ζ 5 =√1, ζ 6= 1. Show that i ∈
/ E, and that if L = E[i], then −1 is a norm
from L to E. Here i = −1.
45. Let E be an extension field of F , and let Ω be an algebraic closure of E. Let σ1 , . . . , σn
be distinct F -isomorphisms E → Ω.
(a) Show that σ1 , . . . , σn are linearly dependent over Ω.
(b) Show that [E : F ] ≥ m.
(c) Let F have characteristic p > 0, and let L be a subfield of Ω containing E and
such that ap ∈ E for all a ∈ L. Show that each σi has a unique extension to a
homomorphism σi0 : L → Ω.
46. Identify the Galois group of the splitting field K of X 4 − 3 over Q. Determine the
number of quadratic subfields.
47. Let F be a subfield of a finite field E. Prove that the trace map T = TrE/F and the
norm map N = NmE/F of E over F both map E onto F . (You may quote basic properties
of finite fields and the trace and norm.)
48. Prove or disprove by counterexample.
(a) If L/K is an extension of fields of degree 2, then there is an automorphism σ of L
such that K is the fixed field of σ.
(b) The same as (a) except that L is also given to be finite.
49. A finite Galois extension L of a field K has degree 8100. Show that there is a field F
with K ⊂ F ⊂ L such that [F : K] = 100.
50. An algebraic extension L of a field K of characteristic 0 is generated by an element θ
that is a root of both of the polynomials X 3 − 1 and X 4 + X 2 + 1. Given that L 6= K, find
the minimum polynomial of θ.
51. Let F/Q be a Galois extension of degree 3n , n ≥ 1. Prove that there is a chain of fields
Q = F0 ⊂ F1 ⊂ · · · Fn = F
84 A REVIEW EXERCISES

such that for every i, 0 ≤ i ≤ n − 1, [Fi+1 : Fi ] = 3.

52. Let L be the splitting field over Q of an equation of degree 5 with distinct roots.
Suppose that L has an automorphism that fixes three of these roots while interchanging the
other two and also an automorphism α 6= 1 of order 5.
(a) Prove that the group of automorphisms of L is the symmetric group on 5 elements.
(b) How many proper subfields of L are normal extensions of Q? For each such field F ,
what is [F : Q]?
53. If L/K is a separable algebraic field extension of finite degree d, show that the number
of fields between K and L is at most 2d! .
54. Let K be the splitting field over Q of X 5 − 1. Describe the Galois group Gal(K/Q) of
K over Q, and show that K has exactly one subfield of degree 2 over Q, namely, Q[ζ + ζ 4 ],
ζ 6= 1 a root of X 5 − 1. Find the minimum polynomial of ζ + ζ 4 over Q. Find Gal(L/Q)
when L is the splitting field over Q of
(a) (X 2 − 5)(X 5 − 1);
(b) (X 2 + 3)(X 5 − 1).
55. Let Ω1 and Ω2 be algebraically closed fields of transcendence degree 5 over Q, and let
α : Ω1 → Ω2 be a homomorphism (in particular, α(1) = 1). Show that α is a bijection.
(State carefully any theorems you use.)
√ √
56. Find the group of Q-automorphisms of the field k = Q[ −3, −2].
√
57. Prove that the polynomial f√(X) = X 3 −5 is irreducible over the field√
Q[ 7]. If L is the
splitting field of f (X) over Q[ 7], prove that the Galois group of L/Q[ 7] is isomorphic
to S3 . Prove that there must exist a subfield K of L such that the Galois group of L/K is
cyclic of order 3.
58. Identify the Galois group G of the polynomial f (X) = X 5 − 6X 4 + 3 over F , when
(a) F = Q and when (b) F = F2 . In each case, if E is the splitting field of f (X) over F ,
determine how many fields K there are such that E ⊃ K ⊃ F with [K : F ] = 2.
59. Let K be a field of characteristic p, say with pn elements, and let θ be the automorphism
of K that maps every element to its pth power. Show that there exists an automorphism α
of K such that θα2 = 1 if and only if n is odd.
60. Describe the splitting field and Galois group, over Q, of the polynomial X 5 − 9.
61. Suppose that E is a Galois field extension of a field F such that [E : F ] = 53 · (43)2 .
Prove that there exist fields K1 and K2 lying strictly between F and E with the following
properties: (i) each Ki is a Galois extension of F ; (ii) K1 ∩ K2 = F ; and (iii) K1 K2 = E.
62. Let F = Fp for some prime p. Let m be a positive integer not divisible by p, and let K
be the splitting field of X m − 1. Find [K : F ] and prove that your answer is correct.
63. Let F be a field of 81 elements. For each of the following polynomials g(X), determine
the number of roots of g(X) that lie in F : X 80 − 1, X 81 − 1, X 88 − 1.
64. Describe the Galois group of the polynomial X 6 − 7 over Q.
 85

65. Let K be a field of characteristic p > 0 and let F = K(u, v) be a field extension of
degree p2 such that up ∈ K and v p ∈ K. Prove that K is not finite, that F is not a simple
extension of K, and that there exist infinitely many intermediate fields F ⊃ L ⊃ K.
√
66. Find the splitting field and Galois group of the polynomial X 3 − 5 over the field Q[ 2].
67. For any prime p, find the Galois group over Q of the polynomial X 5 − 5p4 X + p.
68. Factorize X 4 + 1 over each of the finite fields (a) F5 ; (b) F25 ; and (c) F125 . Find its
splitting field in each case.
69. Let Q[α] be a field of finite degree over Q. Assume that there is a q ∈ Q, q 6= 0,
such that |ρ(α)| = q for all homomorphisms ρ : Q[α] → C. Show that the set of roots
of the minimum polynomial of α is the same as that of q 2 /α. Deduce that there exists an
automorphism σ of Q[α] such that
(a) σ 2 = 1 and
(b) ρ(σγ) = ρ(γ) for all γ ∈ Q[α] and ρ : Q[α] → C.
70. Let F be a field of characteristic zero, and let p be a prime number. Suppose that F
has the property that all irreducible polynomials f (X) ∈ F [X] have degree a power of
p (1 = p0 is allowed). Show that every equation g(X) = 0, g ∈ F [X], is solvable by
extracting radicals.
√ √
71. Let K = Q[ 5, −7] and let L be the splitting field over Q of f (X) = X 3 − 10.
(a) Determine the Galois groups of K and L over Q.
(b) Decide whether K contains a root of f .
(c) Determine the degree of the field K ∩ L over Q.
[Assume all fields are subfields of C.]
r r
72. Find the splitting field (over Fp ) of X p − X ∈ Fp [X], and deduce that X p − X has
an irreducible factor f ∈ Fp [X] of degree r. Let g(X) ∈ Z[X] be a monic polynomial
that becomes equal to f (X) when its coefficients are read modulo p. Show that g(X) is
irreducible in Q[X].
73. Let E be the splitting field of X 3 − 51 over Q. List all the subfields of E, and find an
element γ of E such that E = Q[γ].
74. Let k = F1024 be the field with 1024 elements, and let K be an extension of k of degree
2. Prove that there is a unique automorphism σ of K of order 2 which leaves k elementwise
fixed and determine the number of elements of K × such that σ(x) = x−1 .
75. Let F and E be finite fields of the same characteristic. Prove or disprove these state-
ments:
(a) There is a ring homomorphism of F into E if and only if #E is a power of #F .
(b) There is an injective group homomorphism of the multiplicative group of F into the
multiplicative group of E if and only if #E is a power of #F .
76. Let L/K be an algebraic extension of fields. Prove that L is algebraically closed if
every polynomial over K factors completely over L.
77. Let K be a field, and let M = K(X), X an indeterminate. Let L be an intermediate
field different from K. Prove that M is finite-dimensional over L.
78. Let θ1 , θ2 , θ3 be the roots of the polynomial f (X) = X 3 + X 2 − 9X + 1.
86 A REVIEW EXERCISES

(a) Show that the θi are real, nonrational, and distinct.

(b) Explain why the Galois group of f (X) over Q must be either A3 or S3 . Without
carrying it out, give a brief description of a method for deciding which it is.
(c) Show that the rows of the matrix
 
3 9 9 9
3 θ 1 θ 2 θ 3 
 
3 θ 2 θ 3 θ 1 
3 θ3 θ1 θ2

are pairwise orthogonal; compute their lengths, and compute the determinant of the
matrix.
79. Let E/K be a Galois extension of degree p2 q where p and q are primes, q < p and q
not dividing p2 − 1. Prove that:
(a) there exist intermediate fields L and M such that [L : K] = p2 and [M : K] = q;
(b) such fields L and M must be Galois over K; and
(c) the Galois group of E/K must be abelian.
80. Let ζ be a primitive 7th root of 1 (in C).
(a) Prove that 1 + X + X 2 + X 3 + X 4 + X 5 + X 6 is the minimum polynomial of ζ over
Q.
(b) Find the minimum polynomial of ζ + ζ1 over Q.
1
81. Find the degree over Q of the Galois closure K of Q[2 4 ] and determine the isomor-
phism class of Gal(K/Q).
√ √
82. Let p, q be distinct positive prime numbers, and consider the extension K = Q[ p, q] ⊃
Q.
(a) Prove that the Galois group is isomorphic to C2 × C2 . √
(b) Prove that every subfield of K of degree 2 over Q is of the form Q[ m] where
m ∈ {p, q, pq}.
(c) Show that there is an element γ ∈ K such that K = Q[γ].
 87

B Solutions to Exercises
These solutions fall somewhere between hints and complete solutions. Students were ex-
pected to write out complete solutions.
1. Similar to Example 1.28.
√ √ √
2. Verify that 3 is not a square in Q[ 2], and so [Q[ 2, 3] : Q] = 4.
3. (a) Apply the division algorithm, to get f (X) = q(X)(X − a) + r(X) with r(X)
constant, and put X = a to find r = f (a).
(c) Use that factorization in F [X] is unique (or use induction on the degree of f ).
(d) If G had two cyclic factors C and C 0 whose orders were divisible by a prime p, then G
would have (at least) p2 elements of order dividing p. This doesn’t happen, and it follows
that G is cyclic.
(e) The elements of order m in F × are the roots of the polynomial X m − 1, and so there
are at most m of them. Hence any finite subgroup G of F × satisfies the condition in (d).
4. Note that it suffices to construct α = cos 2π
7
, and that [Q[α] : Q] = 7−1
2
= 3, and so
its minimum polynomial has degree 3. There is a standard method (once taught in high
schools) for solving cubics using the equation

cos 3θ = 4 cos3 θ − 3 cos θ.

By “completing the cube”, reduce the cubic to the form X 3 − pX − q. Then construct a
so that a2 = 4p
3
. Choose 3θ such that cos 3θ = a4q3 . If β = cos θ is a solution of the above
equation, then α = aβ will be a root of X 3 − pX − q.
/ F 2,
5. (a) is obvious, as is the “only if” in (b). For the “if” note that for any a ∈ S(E), a ∈
E ≈ F [X]/(X 2 − a).
√
(c) Take Ei = Q[ pi ] with pi the ith prime. Check that pi is the only prime that becomes
√
a square in Ei . For this use that (a + b p)2 ∈ Q =⇒ 2ab = 0.
(d) Any field of characteristic p contains (an isomorphic copy of) Fp , and so we are
looking at the quadratic extensions of Fp . The homomorphism a 7→ a2 : F× ×
p → Fp has
kernel {±1}, and so its image has index 2 in F× ×
p . Thus the only possibility for S(E) is Fp ,
and so there is at most one E (up to Fp -isomorphism). To get one, take E = F [X]/(X 2 −a),
a∈ / F2p .
6. (a) If α is a root of f (X) = X p − X − a (in some splitting field), then the remaining
roots are α + 1, . . . , α + p − 1, which obviously lie in whichever field contains α. Suppose
that, in F [X],

f (X) = (X r + a1 X r−1 + · · · + ar )(X p−r + · · · ), 0 < r < p.

Then −a1 is a sum of r of the roots of f , −a1 = rα + d some d ∈ Z · 1F , and it follows

that α ∈ F .
(b) The polynomial X p − X − 1 has no root in F2 (check 0 and 1), and therefore (a)
implies X p − X − 1 is irreducible in F2 [X], and also in Z[X] (see 1.18).
7. Let α be the real 5th root
√ of 2. Eisenstein’s criterion shows that X 5 − 2 is irre-
ducible in Q[X], and so Q[ 2] has degree 5 over Q. The remaining roots of X 5 − 2
5
88 B SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES

are ζα, ζ 2 α, ζ 3 α, ζ 4 α, where ζ is a primitive 5th root of 1. It follows that the subfield of C
generated by the roots of X 5 − 2 is Q[ζ, α]. The degree of Q[ζ, α] is 20, since it must be
divisible by [Q[ζ] : Q] = 4 and [Q[α] : Q] = 5.
m m m
8. It’s Fp because X p − 1 = (X − 1)p . (Perhaps I meant X p − X — that would have
been more interesting.)
9. If f (X) = (X − αi )mi , αi 6= αj , then
Q

X f (X)
f 0 (X) = mi
X − αi
mi −1
Q Q
and so d(X) = mi >1 (X − αi ) . Therefore g(X) = (X − αi ).
10. From (2.12) we know that either f is separable or f (X) = f1 (X p ) for some polynomial
f1 . Clearly f1 is also irreducible. If f1 is not separable, it can be written f1 (X) = f2 (X p ).
Continue in the
Q way until you arrive at a separable polynomial. QFor the final statement, note
pe pe pe
that g(X) = (X − ai ), ai 6= aj , and so f (X) = g(X ) = (X − αi ) with αi = ai .
11. Let σ and τ be automorphisms of F (X) given by σ(X) = −X and τ (X) = 1 − X.
Then σ and τ fix X 2 and X 2 − X respectively, and so στ fixes E =df F (X) ∩ F (X 2 − X).
But ατ X = 1 + X, and so (στ )m (X) = m + X. Thus Aut(F (X)/E) is infinite, which
implies that [F (X) : E] is infinite (otherwise F (X) = E[α1 , . . . , αn ]; an E-automorphism
of F (X) is determined by its values on the αi , and its value on αi is a root of the minimum
polynomial of αi ). If E contains a polynomial f (X) of degree m > 0, then [F (X) : E] ≤
[F (X) : F (f (X))] = m — contradiction.
12. Since 1 + ζ + · · · + ζ p−1 = 0, we have α + β = −1. If i ∈ H, then iH = H and
i(G r H) = G r H, and so α and β are fixed by H. If j ∈ G r H, then jH = G r H and
j(G r H) = H, and so jα = β and jβ = α. Hence αβ ∈ Q, and α and β are the roots of
X 2 + X + αβ. Note that
X
αβ = ζ i+j , i ∈ H, j ∈ G r H.
i,j

How many times do we have i+j = 0? If i+j = 0, then −1 = i−1 j, which is a nonsquare;
conversely, if −1 is a nonsquare, take i = 1 and j = −1 to get i + j = 0. Hence

i + j = 0 some i ∈ H, j ∈ G r H ⇐⇒ −1 is a square mod p ⇐⇒ p ≡ −1 mod 4.

If we do have a solution to i + j = 0, we get all solutions by multiplying it through by

the p−1
2
squares. So in the sum for αβ we see 1 a total of p−12
times when p ≡ 3 mod 4
and not at all if p ≡ 1 mod 4. In either case, the remaining terms add to a rational
number, which implies that each power of ζ occurs the same number of times. Thus for
p ≡ 1 mod 4, αβ = −( p−1 )2 /(p − 1) = p−1 ; the polynomial satisfied by α and β is
2 p−1
2 √ 4 √
X + X − 4 , whose roots are (−1 ± 1 + p − 1)/2; the fixed field of H is Q[ p]. For
p ≡ −1 mod 4, αβ = p−1 + (−1) ( p−1 )2 − p−1 /(p − 1) = p−1 − p−3 = p+1


2 2 2√ 2 4 4
; the
2 p−1
polynomial is X + X + 4 , with roots (−1 ± 1 − p − 1)/2; the fixed field of H is
√
Q[ −p].
 89

13. (a) It is easy to see that M is Galois over Q with Galois group hσ, τ i:
 √ √  √ √
σ √2 = −√ 2 τ√ 2 = √ 2
.
σ 3= 3 τ 3=− 3

(b) We have
√ √ √ !2
σα2 2− 2 (2 − 2)2 2− 2 √
= √ = = √ = ( 2 − 1)2 ,
α2 2+ 2 4−2 2
√ √
i.e., σα2 = (( 2 − 1)α)2 . Thus, if α ∈ M , then σα = ±( 2 − 1)α, and
√ √
σ 2 α = (− 2 − 1)( 2 − 1)α = −α;

as σ 2 α = α 6= 0, this is impossible. Hence α ∈/ M , and so [E : Q] = 8. √

Extend σ to an automorphism (also denoted σ) of E. Again σα = ±( 2 − 1)α and
σ 2 α = −α, and so σ 2 6= 1. Now σ 4 α = α, σ 4 |M = 1, and so we can conclude √ that σ has
order 4. After possibly replacing σ with its inverse, we may suppose that σα = ( 2 − 1)α.
2
√  √ 2
Repeat the above argument with τ : ταα2 = 3− √3 = 3−
3+ 3
√ 3
6
, and so we can extend τ to an
√
automorphism of L (also denoted τ ) with τ α = 3−√6 3 α. The order of τ is 4.
Finally compute that
√ √
3− 3 √ √ 3− 3
στ α = √ ( 2 − 1)α; τ σα = ( 2 − 1) √ α.
− 6 6
Hence στ 6= τ σ, and Gal(E/Q) has two noncommuting elements of order 4. Since it has
order 8, it must be the quaternion group.
14. The splitting field is the smallest field containing all mth roots of 1. Hence it is Fpn
where n is the smallest positive integer such that m0 |pn − 1, m = m0 pr .
15. We have X 4 − 2X 3 − 8X − 3 = (X 3 + X 2 + 3X + 1)(X − 3), and g(X) =
X 3 + X 2 + 3X + 1 is irreducible over Q (use 1.4??), and so its Galois group is either A3 or
S3 . Either check that its discriminant is not a square or, more simply, show by examining its
graph that g(X) has only one real root, and hence its Galois group contains a transposition
(cf. the proof of 4.13??).
16. Eisenstein’s criterion shows that X 8 − 2 is irreducible over Q, and so [Q[α] : Q] = 8
where α is a positive 8th root of 2. As usual for polynomials of this type, the splitting field
is Q[α, ζ] where ζ is any primitive 8th root of 1. For example, ζ can be taken to be 1+i √ ,
2
which lies in Q[α, i]. It follows that the splitting field is Q[α, i]. Clearly Q[α, i] 6= Q[α],
because Q[α], unlike i, is contained in R, and so [Q[α, i] : Q] = 2. Therefore the degree is
2 × 8 = 16.
17. Find an extension L/F with Galois group S4 , and let E be the fixed field of S3 ⊂ S4 .
There is no subgroup strictly between Sn and Sn−1 , because such a subgroup would be
transitive and contain an (n − 1)-cycle and a transposition, and so would equal Sn (see
4.23). We can take E = LS3 .
90 B SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES

18. Type: “Factor(X 343 − X) mod 7;” and discard the 7 factors of degree 1.
19. Type “galois(X 6 + 2X 5 + 3X 4 + 4X 3 + 5X 2 + 6X + 7);”. It is the group PGL2 (F5 )
(group of invertible 2 × 2 matrices over F5 modulo scalar matrices) which has order 120.
Alternatively, note that there are the following factorizations: mod 3, irreducible; mod 5
(deg 3)(deg 3); mod 13 (deg 1)(deg 5); mod 19, (deg 1)2 (deg 4); mod 61 (deg 1)2 (deg 2)2 ;
mod 79, (deg 2)3 . Thus the Galois group has elements of type:
6, 3 + 3, 1 + 5, 1 + 1 + 4, 1 + 1 + 2 + 2, 2 + 2 + 2.
No element of type 2, 3, 3 + 2, or 4 + 2 turns up by factoring modulo any of the first 400
primes (or, so I have been told). This suggests it is the group T 14 in the tables in Butler
and McKay, which is indeed PGL2 (F5 ).
20. ⇐= : Condition (a) implies that Gf contains a 5-cycle, condition (b) implies that
Gf ⊂ A5 , and condition (c) excludes A5 . That leaves D5 and C5 as the only possibilities
(see, for example, Jacobson, Basic Algebra I, p305, Ex 6). The derivative of f is 5X 4 + a,
which has at most 2 real zeros, and so (from its graph) we see that f can have at most 3
real zeros. Thus complex conjugation acts as an element of order 2 on the splitting field of
f , and this shows that we must have Gf = D5 .
=⇒ : Regard D5 as a subgroup of S5 by letting it act on the vertices of a regular
pentagon—all subgroups of S5 isomorphic to D5 look like this one. If Gf = D5 , then
(a) holds because D5 is transitive, (b) holds because D5 ⊂ A5 , and (c) holds because D5 is
solvable.
21. For a = 1, this is the polynomial Φ5 (X), whose Galois group is cyclic of order 4.
For a = 0, it is X(X 3 + X 2 + X + 1) = X(X + 1)(X 2 + 1), whose Galois group is cyclic
of order 2.
For a = −4, it is (X − 1)(X 3 + 2X 2 + 3X + 4). The cubic does not have ±1, ±2, or ±4
as roots, and so it is irreducible in Q[X]. Hence its Galois group is S3 or A3 . But looking
modulo 2, we see it contains a 2-cycle, so it must be S3 .
For any a, the resolvent cubic is
g(X) = X 3 − X 2 + (1 − 4a)X + 3a − 1.
Take a = −1. Then f = X 4 + X 3 + X 2 + X − 1 is irreducible modulo 2, and so it is
irreducible in Q[X]. We have g = X 3 − X 2 + 5X − 4, which is irreducible. Moreover
g 0 = 3X 2 − 2X + 5 = 3(X − 31 )2 + 4 23 > 0 always, and so g has exactly one real root.
Hence the Galois group of g is S3 , and therefore the Galois group of f is S4 . [In fact, 4 is
the maximum number of integers giving distinct Galois groups: checking mod 2, we see
there is a 2-cycle or a 4-cycle, and so 1, A3 , A4 , V4 are not possible. For D8 , a can’t be an
integer.]
s+it
22. We have Nm(a + ib) = a2 + b2 . Hence a2 + b2 = 1 if and only a + ib = s−it
for some
s, t ∈ Q (Hilbert’s Theorem 90). The rest is easy.
23. The degree [Q[ζn ] : Q] = ϕ(n), ζn a primitive nth root of 1, and ϕ(n) → ∞ as n → ∞.
24. (a) Need that m|n, because
n = [Fpn : Fp ] = [Fpn : Fpm ] · [Fpm : Fp ] = [Fpn : Fpm ] · m.
 91

Use Galois theory to show there exists one, for example. (b) Only one; it consists of all the
m
solutions of X p − X = 0.
25. The polynomial is irreducible by Eisenstein’s criterion. The polynomial has only one
real root, and therefore complex conjugation is a transposition in G√f . This proves that
Gf ≈ S3 . The discriminant
√ −1323 =√−33 72 . Only the subfield Q[ −3] is normal over
is √
Q. The subfields Q[ 7], Q[ζ 3 7] Q[ζ 2 3 7] are not normal over Q. [The discriminant of
3

X 3 − a is −27a2 = −3(3a)2 .]
√
26. The prime√ 7 becomes a square in the first field, but 11 does not: (a + b 7)2 =
a2 + 7b2 + 2ab√ 7, which lies in Q only if ab = 0. Hence the rational numbers that become
squares in Q[ 7] are those that are already squares or lie in 7Q×2 .
27. (a) See Exercise 3.
(b) Let F = F3 [X]/(X 2 + 1). Modulo 3

X 8 − 1 = (X − 1)(X + 1)(X 2 + 1)(X 2 + X + 2)(X 2 + 2X + 2).

Take α to be a root of X 2 + X + 2.
f
28. Since E 6= F , E contains an element g
with the degree of f or g > 0. Now

f (X)
f (T ) − g(T )
g(X)
is a nonzero polynomial having X as a root.
29. Use Eisenstein to show that X p−1 + · · · + 1 is irreducible, etc. Done in class.
30. The splitting field is Q[ζ, α] where ζ 5 = 1 and α5 = 2. It is generated by σ = (12345)
and τ = (2354), where σα = ζα and τ ζ = ζ 2 . The group has order 20. It is not abelian
(because Q[α] is not Galois over Q), but it is solvable (its order is < 60).
31. (a) A homomorphism α : R → R acts as the identity map on Z, hence on Q, and it maps
positive real numbers to positive real numbers, and therefore preserves the order. Hence,
for each real number a,

{r ∈ Q | a < r} = {r ∈ Q | α(a) < r},

which implies that α(a) = a.

(b) Choose a transcendence basis A for C over Q. Because it is infinite, there is a
bijection α : A → A0 from A onto a proper subset. Extend α to an isomorphism Q(A) →
Q(A0 ), and then extend it to an isomorphism C → C0 where C0 is the algebraic closure of
Q(A0 ) in C.
32. The group F × is cyclic of order 15. It has 3 elements of order dividing 3, 1 element of
order dividing 4, 15 elements of order dividing 15, and 1 element of order dividing 17.
33. If E1 and E2 are Galois extensions of F , then E1 E2 and E1 ∩ E2 are Galois over F ,
and there is an exact sequence

1 −−−→ Gal(E1 E2 /F ) −−−→ Gal(E1 /F ) × Gal(E2 /F ) −−−→ Gal(E1 ∩ E2 /F ) −−−→ 1.

92 B SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES

In this case, E1 ∩ E2 = Q[ζ] where ζ is a primitive cube root of 1. The degree is 18.
34. Over Q, the splitting field is Q[α, ζ] where α6 = 5 and ζ 3 = 1 (because −ζ is then a
primitive 6th root of 1). The degree is 12, and the Galois group is D6 (generators (26)(35)
and (123456)).
Over R, the Galois group is C2 .
35. Let the coefficients of f be a1 , . . . , an — they lie in the algebraic closure Ω of F . Let
g(X) be the product of the minimum polynomials over F of the roots of f in Ω.
Alternatively, the coefficients will lie in some finite extension E of F , and we can take
the norm of f (X) from E[X] to F [X].
36. If f is separable, [E : F ] = (Gf : 1), which is a subgroup of Sn . Etc..
√ √
37. 3 + 7 will do.
38. The splitting field of X 4 − 2 is E1 = Q[i, α] where α4 = 2; it has degree 8, and Galois
group D4 . The splitting field of X 3 − 5 is E2 = Q[ζ, β]; it has degree√6, and Galois
√ group
D3 . The Galois group is the product (they could only intersect in Q[ 3], but 3 does not
become a square in E1 ).
39. The multiplicative group of F is cyclic of order q − 1. Hence it contains an element of
order 4 if and only if 4|q − 1.
√ √ √
40. Take α = 2 + 5 + 7.
41. We have E1 = E H1 , which has degree n over F , and E2 = E <1···n> , which has degree
(n − 1)! over F , etc.. This is really a problem in group theory posing as a problem in field
theory.
42. We have Q[ζ] = Q[i, ζ 0 ] where ζ 0 is a primitive cube root of 1 and ±i = ζ 3 etc..
√
43. The splitting field is Q[ζ, 3 3], and the Galois group is S3 .
44. Use that
(ζ + ζ 4 )(1 + ζ 2 ) = ζ + ζ 4 + ζ 3 + ζ

45. (a) is Dedekind’s theorem. (b) is Artin’s lemma 3.4b. (c) is O.K. because X p − ap has
a unique root in Ω.
46. The splitting field is Q[i, α] where α4 = 3, and the Galois group is D4 with generators
(1234) and (13) etc..
47. From Hilbert’s theorem 90, we know that the kernel of the map N : E × → F × consists
of elements of the form σαα
. The map E × → E × , α 7→ σα α
, has kernel F × . Therefore the
m −1
kernel of N has order qq−1 , and hence its image has order q − 1. There is a similar proof
for the trace — I don’t know how the examiners expected you to prove it.
48. (a) is false—could be inseparable. (b) is true—couldn’t be inseparable.
49. Apply the Sylow theorem to see that the Galois group has a subgroup of order 81. Now
the Fundamental Theorem of Galois theory shows that F exists.
50. The greatest common divisor of the two polynomials over Q is X 2 + X + 1, which
must therefore be the minimum polynomial for θ.
 93

51. Theorem on p-groups plus the Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory.

52. It was proved in class that Sp is generated by an element of order p and a transposition
(4.12). There is only one F , and it is quadratic over Q.
53. Let L = K[α]. The splitting field of the minimum polynomial of α has degree at most
d!, and a set with d! elements has at most 2d! subsets. [Of course, this bound is much too
high: the subgroups are very special subsets. For example, they all contain 1 and they are
invariant under a 7→ a−1 .]
54. The Galois group is (Z/5Z)× , which cyclic of order 4, generated by 2.

(ζ + ζ 4 ) + (ζ 2 + ζ 3 ) = −1, (ζ + ζ 4 )(ζ 2 + ζ 3 ) = −1.

(a) Omit.
(b) Certainly, the Galois group is a product C2 × C4 .
55. Let a1 , . . . , a5 be a transcendence basis for Ω1 /Q. Their images are algebraically
independent, therefore they are a maximal algebraically independent subset of Ω2 , and
therefore they form a transcendence basis, etc..
56. C2 × C2 .
√
57. If f (X) were reducible over Q[ 7], it would have a root in it, but it is irreducible
over Q by Eisenstein’s
√ criterion. The discriminant is −675, which is not a square in any R,
much less Q[ 7].
58. (a) Should be X 5 − 6X 4 + 3. The Galois group is S5 , with generators (12) and (12345)
— it is irreducible (Eisenstein) and (presumably) has exactly 2 nonreal roots. (b) It factors
as (X + 1)(X 4 + X 3 + X 2 + X + 1). Hence the splitting field has degree 4 over F2 , and
the Galois group is cyclic.
59. This is really a theorem in group theory, since the Galois group is a cyclic group of
order n generated by θ. If n is odd, say n = 2m + 1, then α = θm does.
60. It has order 20, generators (12345) and (2354).
61. Take K1 and K2 to be the fields corresponding to the Sylow 5 and Sylow 43 subgroups.
Note that of the possible numbers 1, 6, 11, 16, 21, ... of Sylow 5-subgroups, only 1 divides
43. There are 1, 44, 87, ... subgroups of ....
62. See Exercise 14.
63. The group F × is cyclic of order 80; hence 80, 1, 8.
64. It’s D6 , with generators (26)(35) and (123456). The polynomial is irreducible by
Eisenstein’s criterion, and its splitting field is Q[α, ζ] where ζ 6= 1 is a cube root of 1.
65. Example 5.5.
66. Omit.
67. It’s irreducible by Eisenstein. Its derivative is 5X 4 − 5p4 , which has the roots X = ±p.
These are the max and mins, X = p gives negative; X = −p gives positive. Hence the
94 B SOLUTIONS TO EXERCISES

graph crosses the x-axis 3 times and so there are 2 imaginary roots. Hence the Galois group
is S5 .
68. Its roots are primitive 8th roots of 1. It splits completely in F25 . (a) (X 2 + 2)(X 2 + 3).
2 2
69. ρ(α)ρ(α) = q 2 , and ρ(α)ρ( qα ) = q 2 . Hence ρ( qα ) is the complex conjugate of ρ(α).
Hence the automorphism induced by complex conjugation is independent of the embedding
of Q[α] into C.
70. The argument that proves the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, shows that its Galois
group is a p-group. Let E be the splitting field of g(X), and let H be the Sylow p-subgroup.
Then E H = F , and so the Galois group is a p-group.
71. (a) C2 × C2 and S3 . (b) No. (c). 1
72. Omit.
73. Omit.
σx
74. 1024 = 210 . Want σx · x = 1, i.e., N x = 1. They are the elements of the form x
; have

x7→ σx
1 −−−→ k × −−−→ K × −−−→
x
K ×.
Hence the number is 211 /210 = 2.
75. Pretty standard. False; true.
76. Omit.
77. Similar to a previous problem.
78. Omit.
79. This is really a group theory problem disguised as a field theory problem.
80. (a) Prove it’s irreducible by apply Eisenstein to f (X + 1). (b) See example worked out
in class.
81. Its D4 , with generators (1234) and (12).
82. Omit.
 95

C Two-hour Examination
1. (a) Let σ be an automorphism of a field E. If σ 4 = 1 and

σ(α) + σ 3 (α) = α + σ 2 (α) all α ∈ E,

show that σ 2 = 1.
(b) Let p be a prime number and let a, b be rational numbers such that a2 + pb2 = 1. Show
2 +pd2
that there exist rational numbers c, d such that a = cc2 −pd 2cd
2 and b = c2 −pd2 .

2. Let f (X) be an irreducible polynomial of degree 4 in Q[X], and let g(X) be the resolvent
cubic of f . What is the relation between the Galois group of f and that of g? Find the Galois
group of f if
(a) g(X) = X 3 − 3X + 1;
(b) g(X) = X 3 + 3X + 1.
3. (a) How many monic irreducible factors does X 255 − 1 ∈ F2 [X] have, and what are their
degrees.
(b) How many monic irreducible factors does X 255 − 1 ∈ Q[X] have, and what are their
degrees?
4. Let E be the splitting field of (X 5 − 3)(X 5 − 7) ∈ Q[X]. What is the degree of E over
Q? How many proper subfields of E are there that are not contained in the splitting fields
of both X 5 − 3 and X 5 − 7?
[You may assume that 7 is not a 5th power in the splitting field of X 5 − 3.]
5. Consider an extension Ω ⊃ F of fields. Define a ∈ Ω to be F -constructible if it is
contained in a field of the form
√ √ √ √
F [ a1 , . . . , an ], ai ∈ F [ a1 , . . . , ai−1 ].

Assume Ω is a finite Galois extension of F and construct a field E, F ⊂ E ⊂ Ω, such that

every a ∈ Ω is E-constructible and E is minimal with this property.
6. Let Ω be an extension field of a field F . Show that every F -homomorphism Ω → Ω is
an isomorphism provided:
(a) Ω is algebraically closed, and
(b) Ω has finite transcendence degree over F .
Can either of the conditions (i) or (ii) be dropped? (Either prove, or give a counterex-
ample.)
You should prove all answers. You may use results proved in class or in the notes, but you
should indicate clearly what you are using.
Possibly useful facts: The discriminant of X 3 + aX + b is −4a3 − 27b2 and 28 − 1 = 255 =
3 × 5 × 17.
96 C TWO-HOUR EXAMINATION

Solutions
1. (a) Let σ be an automorphism of a field E. If σ 4 = 1 and

σ(α) + σ 3 (α) = α + σ 2 (α) all α ∈ E,

show that σ 2 = 1.
If σ 2 6= 1, then 1, σ, σ 2 , σ 3 are distinct automorphisms of E, and hence are linearly
independent (Dedekind 5.14) — contradiction. [If σ 2 = 1, then the condition becomes
2σ = 2, so either σ = 1 or the characteristic is 2 (or both).]
(b) Let p be a prime number and let a, b be rational numbers such that a2 + pb2 = 1. Show
2 2
that there exist rational numbers c, d such that a = cc2 +pd
−pd
2cd
2 and b = c2 −pd2 .
√ √
Apply Hilbert’s Theorem 90 to Q[ p] (or Q[ −p], depending how you wish to correct
the sign).

2. Let f (X) be an irreducible polynomial of degree 4 in Q[X], and let g(X) be the resolvent
cubic of f . What is the relation between the Galois group of f and that of g? Find the Galois
group of f if
(a) g(X) = X 3 − 3X + 1;
(b) g(X) = X 3 + 3X + 1.
We have Gg = Gf /Gf ∩ V , where V = {1, (12)(34), . . .}. The two cubic polynomials
are irreducible, because their only possible roots are ±1. From their discriminants, one
finds that the first has Galois group A3 and the second S3 . Because f (X) is irreducible,
4|(Gf : 1) and it follows that Gf = A4 and S4 in the two cases.
3. (a) How many monic irreducible factors does X 255 − 1 ∈ F2 [X] have, and what are their
degrees?
Its roots are the nonzero elements of F28 , which has subfields F24 ⊃ F22 ⊃ F2 . There are
256 − 16 elements not in F16 , and their minimum polynomials all have degree 8. Hence
there are 30 factors of degree 8, 3 of degree 4, and 1 each of degrees 2 and 1.
(b) How many monic irreducible factors does X 255 − 1 ∈ Q[X] have, and what are their
degrees?
Obviously, X 255 − 1 = d|255 Φd = Φ1 Φ3 Φ5 Φ15 · · · Φ255 , and we showed in class that
Q
the Φd are irreducible. They have degrees 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128.
4. Let E be the splitting field of (X 5 − 3)(X 5 − 7) ∈ Q[X]. What is the degree of E over
Q? How many proper subfields of E are there that are not contained in the splitting fields
of both X 5 − 3 and X 5 − 7?
The splitting field of X 5 − 3 is Q[ζ, α], which has degree 5 over Q[ζ] and 20 over Q.
The Galois group of X 5 − 7 over Q[ζ, α] is (by ...) a subgroup of a cyclic group of order
5, and hence has order 1 or 5. Since 7 is not a 5th power in Q[ζ, α], it must be 5. Thus
[E : Q] = 100, and
G = Gal(E/Q) = (C5 × C5 ) o C4 .
We want the nontrivial subgroups of G not containing C5 × C5 . The subgroups of order
5 of C5 × C5 are lines in (F5 )2 , and hence C5 × C5 has 6 + 1 = 7 proper subgroups. All
are normal in G. Each subgroup of C5 × C5 is of the form H ∩ (C5 × C5 ) for exactly
Solutions 97

3 subgroups H of G corresponding to the three possible images in G/(C5 × C5 ) = C4 .

Hence we have 21 subgroups of G not containing C5 × C5 , and 20 nontrivial ones. Typical
fields: Q[α], Q[α, cos 2π
5
], Q[α, ζ].
[You may assume that 7 is not a 5th power in the splitting field of X 5 − 3.]
5. Consider an extension Ω ⊃ F of fields. Define α ∈ Ω to be F -constructible if it is
contained in a field of the form
√ √ √ √
F [ a1 , . . . , an ], ai ∈ F [ a1 , . . . , ai−1 ].

Assume Ω is a finite Galois extension of F and construct a field E, F ⊂ E ⊂ Ω, such that

every a ∈ Ω is E-constructible and E is minimal with this property.
Suppose E has the required property. From the primitive element theorem, we know
Ω = E[a] for some a. Now a E-constructible =⇒ [Ω : E] is a power of 2. Take E = ΩH ,
where H is the Sylow 2-subgroup of Gal(Ω/F ).
6. Let Ω be an extension field of a field F . Show that every F -homomorphism Ω → Ω is
an isomorphism provided:
(a) Ω is algebraically closed, and
(b) Ω has finite transcendence degree over F .
Can either of the conditions (i) or (ii) be dropped? (Either prove, or give a counterex-
ample.)
Let A be a transcendence basis for Ω/F . Because σ : Ω → Ω is injective, σ(A) is
algebraically independent over F , and hence (because it has the right number of elements)
is a transcendence basis for Ω/F . Now F [σA] ⊂ σΩ ⊂ Ω. Because Ω is algebraic over
F [σA] and σΩ is algebraically closed, the two are equal. Neither condition can be dropped.
E.g., C(X)→ C(X), X 7→ X 2 . E.g., Ω = the algebraic closure of C(X1 , X2 , X3 , . . .), and
consider an extension of the map X1 7→ X2 , X2 7→ X3 , . . ..
Index
algebraic, 14, 15 inseparable, 31
algebraic closure, 20, 21 normal, 31
algebraic integer, 8 separable, 31
algebraically closed, 20 simple, 13
algebraically dependent, 77 solvable, 33
algebraically independent, 77 extension field, 10
algorithm
division, 6 field, 4
Euclid’s, 6 prime, 5
factoring a polynomial, 9 finite extension, 10
automorphism, 29 fixed field, 30
birational, 29 Frobenius
automorphism, 6
basis endomorphism, 6, 27
transcendence, 79 fundamental theorem
bound of algebra, 9, 16, 20, 21, 52
upper, 71 of Galois theory, 33

characteristic Galois, 75
p, 5 Galois closure, 34
zero, 5 Galois field, 46
cohomology group, 59 Galois group, 31
commutative, 4 of a polynomial, 38
composite of fields, 13 Gaussian numbers, 10
conjugates, 32 general polynomial, 63
constructible, 17, 37 group
crossed homomorphism, 58 Cremona, 29
principal, 59
cubic homorphism
resolvent, 43 of fields, 5
cyclotomic polynomial, 54 of rings, 4

degree, 10 ideal, 4
separable, 33 integral domain, 4
discriminant, 40 invariants, 30

Kummer theory, 61
Eisenstein’s criterion, 8
element Lemma
maximal, 71 Gauss’s, 7
extension
abelian, 33 Maple, 7, 9, 12, 14, 41, 44, 46, 49, 54, 70
cyclic, 33 module
Galois, 31 G-, 58

98
INDEX 99

multiplicity, 25 Galois 1832, 39

Galois extensions, 31
norm, 60, 67 independence of characters, 56
normal basis, 57 Liouville, 16
normal closure, 34 normal basis, 57
ordering primitive element, 50
partial, 71 trace, 67
total, 71 transcendental, 14, 15

perfect field, 27
polynomial
minimum, 14
separable, 26
prime
Fermat, 19
primitive element, 50
primitive root of 1, 53
proposition
Artin’s, 30

regular n-gon, 55
ring, 4
polynomial, 6
root
multiple, 25
simple, 25

separable, 50
separable element, 33
solvable in radicals, 38
split, 23
splits, 20
splitting field, 23
subfield, 5
generated by subset, 13
subring, 4
generated by subset, 12
symmetric polynomial, 63
elementary, 63

theorem
binomial in characteristic p, 6
constructibility of n-gons, 55
constructible numbers, 18, 37
cyclotomic polynomials, 54
Dedekind, 48