Math 441 - Abstract Algebra - Schedule

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Problem 56 (Mod P Irreducibility Test)

Let $p$ be a prime and suppose that $f(x)\in \mathbb{Z}[x]$. Let $\bar f (x)$ be the polynomial in $\mathbb{Z}_p[x]$ obtained by reducing the coefficients of $f(x)$ modulo $p$. Prove that if if $\bar f (x)$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Z}_p$ and $\text{deg }\bar f(x) = \text{deg }f(x)$, then $f(x)$ is irreducible over $\mathbb{Q}$.

From Ben: Zac will finish this up. We just need to apply the fundamental theorem of arithmetic to express things as a product of primes, and then we can finish.

Problem 58 (Rational Root Test)

Suppose that $$f(x) = a_nx^n+\cdots +a_1x+a_0\in \mathbb{Z}[x],$$ with $a_n\neq 0$. Prove that if $r$ and $s$ are relatively prime and $f(r/s)=0$, then we must have $r\mid a_0$ and $s\mid a_n$.

Theorem (Unique Factorization In ZX)

Every polynomial that is not the zero polynomial or a unit in $Z[x]$ can be written in the form $b_1b_2\cdots b_sp_1(x)p_2(x)\cdots p_m(x)$, where the $b_i$'s are irreducible polynomials of degree 0, and the $p_i(x)$'s are irreducible polynomials of positive degree. Furthermore, if we completely factor in 2 ways, $$b_1b_2\cdots b_sp_1(x)p_2(x)\cdots p_m(x)=c_1c_2\cdots c_tq_1(x)q_2(x)\cdots q_n(x),$$ then $s=t$, $m=n$, and after renumbering the $c$'s and $q(x)$'s, we have $b_i=\pm c_i$ and $p_j(x)=\pm q_j(x)$ for all $i$ and $j$.

Problem 60 (Unique Factorization Existence Proof)

Prove that every polynomial that is not the zero polynomial or a unit in $Z[x]$ can be written in the form $b_1b_2\cdots b_sp_1(x)p_2(x)\cdots p_m(x)$, where the $b_i$'s are irreducible polynomials of degree 0, and the $p_i(x)$'s are irreducible polynomials of positive degree.

Problem 61 (Unique Factorization Uniqueness Proof)

Suppose that we have factored a polynomial in $\mathbb{Z}[x]$ in two way, namely $$b_1b_2\cdots b_sp_1(x)p_2(x)\cdots p_m(x)=c_1c_2\cdots c_tq_1(x)q_2(x)\cdots q_n(x).$$ Prove that $s=t$, $m=n$, and after renumbering the $c$'s and $q(x)$'s, we have $b_i=\pm c_i$ and $p_j(x)=\pm q_j(x)$ for all $i$ and $j$.

Problem 63(Irreducible Polynomials Have A Zero In Some Extension Field)

Let $F$ be a field and suppose that $p(x)$ is an irreducible polynomial over $F$.

Prove that $E=F[x]/\left<p(x)\right>$ is an extension field of $F$. (Note: An extension field of $F$ is a field $E$ such that $E$ contains a subfield isomorphic to $F$.)
Show that the element $x+\left<p(x)\right>\in E$ is a zero of $p(x)$ in $E$.