Minimal polynomial of an element over a subfield when the degrees of extensions are coprime












1












$begingroup$


This is a question from D.J.H. Garling's "A course in Galois Theory", and I am struggling to find an answer. Can anyone help me?




Suppose $Kleq Lleq L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that
$|L(alpha):L|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime. Show that the
minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $L$ has its coefficients in $K$.




Let $|L(alpha):L| = n$ and $|L:K| = m$ where $(m, n) = 1$. I can prove that the minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $K$ must have degree which is a multiple of $n$. Hence, $|K(alpha):K|=nt$ for some integer $t$. Let $|L(alpha):K(alpha)|=s$.



Now by the tower law, we have $nts = mn implies ts =m$.



If I can show that $t=1$, then we are done. But why can't we have $ts=m$ where $t$ and $s$ are proper factors of $m$?



I know I need to use the fact that $(m,n) = 1$ somewhere, but I can't see where.



It's easy if we are given two quantities on 'different sides of the ladder' as coprime, but here $m$ and $n$ are on the same side of the ladder. If this is a typo in the book, is there a counterexample?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Did you mean Galois extensions ?
    $endgroup$
    – reuns
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:14












  • $begingroup$
    Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
    $endgroup$
    – Globe Theatre
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:24










  • $begingroup$
    @Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 11:23










  • $begingroup$
    GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 14:53
















1












$begingroup$


This is a question from D.J.H. Garling's "A course in Galois Theory", and I am struggling to find an answer. Can anyone help me?




Suppose $Kleq Lleq L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that
$|L(alpha):L|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime. Show that the
minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $L$ has its coefficients in $K$.




Let $|L(alpha):L| = n$ and $|L:K| = m$ where $(m, n) = 1$. I can prove that the minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $K$ must have degree which is a multiple of $n$. Hence, $|K(alpha):K|=nt$ for some integer $t$. Let $|L(alpha):K(alpha)|=s$.



Now by the tower law, we have $nts = mn implies ts =m$.



If I can show that $t=1$, then we are done. But why can't we have $ts=m$ where $t$ and $s$ are proper factors of $m$?



I know I need to use the fact that $(m,n) = 1$ somewhere, but I can't see where.



It's easy if we are given two quantities on 'different sides of the ladder' as coprime, but here $m$ and $n$ are on the same side of the ladder. If this is a typo in the book, is there a counterexample?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    Did you mean Galois extensions ?
    $endgroup$
    – reuns
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:14












  • $begingroup$
    Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
    $endgroup$
    – Globe Theatre
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:24










  • $begingroup$
    @Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 11:23










  • $begingroup$
    GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 14:53














1












1








1





$begingroup$


This is a question from D.J.H. Garling's "A course in Galois Theory", and I am struggling to find an answer. Can anyone help me?




Suppose $Kleq Lleq L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that
$|L(alpha):L|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime. Show that the
minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $L$ has its coefficients in $K$.




Let $|L(alpha):L| = n$ and $|L:K| = m$ where $(m, n) = 1$. I can prove that the minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $K$ must have degree which is a multiple of $n$. Hence, $|K(alpha):K|=nt$ for some integer $t$. Let $|L(alpha):K(alpha)|=s$.



Now by the tower law, we have $nts = mn implies ts =m$.



If I can show that $t=1$, then we are done. But why can't we have $ts=m$ where $t$ and $s$ are proper factors of $m$?



I know I need to use the fact that $(m,n) = 1$ somewhere, but I can't see where.



It's easy if we are given two quantities on 'different sides of the ladder' as coprime, but here $m$ and $n$ are on the same side of the ladder. If this is a typo in the book, is there a counterexample?










share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




This is a question from D.J.H. Garling's "A course in Galois Theory", and I am struggling to find an answer. Can anyone help me?




Suppose $Kleq Lleq L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that
$|L(alpha):L|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime. Show that the
minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $L$ has its coefficients in $K$.




Let $|L(alpha):L| = n$ and $|L:K| = m$ where $(m, n) = 1$. I can prove that the minimal polynomial of $alpha$ over $K$ must have degree which is a multiple of $n$. Hence, $|K(alpha):K|=nt$ for some integer $t$. Let $|L(alpha):K(alpha)|=s$.



Now by the tower law, we have $nts = mn implies ts =m$.



If I can show that $t=1$, then we are done. But why can't we have $ts=m$ where $t$ and $s$ are proper factors of $m$?



I know I need to use the fact that $(m,n) = 1$ somewhere, but I can't see where.



It's easy if we are given two quantities on 'different sides of the ladder' as coprime, but here $m$ and $n$ are on the same side of the ladder. If this is a typo in the book, is there a counterexample?







abstract-algebra field-theory galois-theory extension-field minimal-polynomials






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Jan 5 '17 at 10:09







Globe Theatre

















asked Jan 5 '17 at 8:53









Globe TheatreGlobe Theatre

311210




311210












  • $begingroup$
    Did you mean Galois extensions ?
    $endgroup$
    – reuns
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:14












  • $begingroup$
    Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
    $endgroup$
    – Globe Theatre
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:24










  • $begingroup$
    @Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 11:23










  • $begingroup$
    GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 14:53


















  • $begingroup$
    Did you mean Galois extensions ?
    $endgroup$
    – reuns
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:14












  • $begingroup$
    Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
    $endgroup$
    – Globe Theatre
    Jan 5 '17 at 13:24










  • $begingroup$
    @Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 11:23










  • $begingroup$
    GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
    $endgroup$
    – Marcel S
    Aug 25 '17 at 14:53
















$begingroup$
Did you mean Galois extensions ?
$endgroup$
– reuns
Jan 5 '17 at 13:14






$begingroup$
Did you mean Galois extensions ?
$endgroup$
– reuns
Jan 5 '17 at 13:14














$begingroup$
Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
$endgroup$
– Globe Theatre
Jan 5 '17 at 13:24




$begingroup$
Not necessarily. Just finite extensions.
$endgroup$
– Globe Theatre
Jan 5 '17 at 13:24












$begingroup$
@Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
$endgroup$
– Marcel S
Aug 25 '17 at 11:23




$begingroup$
@Globe Theatre I know your post is already older, but I stumbled across the same problem in Garling's and in my version its $[K(a):K]$ and $[L:K]$ are coprime, not $[L( a):L$ and $[L:K]$ . Do you have any hints for this question?
$endgroup$
– Marcel S
Aug 25 '17 at 11:23












$begingroup$
GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
$endgroup$
– Marcel S
Aug 25 '17 at 14:53




$begingroup$
GlobeTheatre, I started a new post with the corrected version of Garling's question here: math.stackexchange.com/questions/2405708/…
$endgroup$
– Marcel S
Aug 25 '17 at 14:53










2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















4












$begingroup$

Try $K=mathbb{Q}$, $L=mathbb{Q}(sqrt{2})$, $alpha=sqrt[6]{2}$.






share|cite|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    0












    $begingroup$

    Another counterexample to the exercise as written is to take $alpha in L setminus K$. Then $|L(alpha):L|=1$ is relatively prime to everything, but the minimal polynomial for $alpha$ over $L$ is simply $x - alpha$ which clearly does not have coefficients in $K$.



    I think it is a typo and that Garling meant $|K(alpha):K|$ and not $|L(alpha):L|$. Another statement for the exercise, which is probably more to the point and has essentially the same proof, is:




    Suppose that $K subset L subset L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, then $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.




    A proof would be:



    Since $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, and both divide $|L(alpha):K|$, their product must divide $|L(alpha):K|$, implying $|L(alpha):K| geq |K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K|$.



    But then, the general fact that $|K(alpha):K| geq |L(alpha):L|$ implies that $|K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K| geq |L(alpha):L| cdot |L:K| = |L(alpha):K|$.



    So the inequalities collapse, forcing $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.



    The exercise in this form can be used, for example, in exercise 5.9 to show that the positive $p$-th roots of $2$, as $p$ varies over the primes, are linearly independent over $mathbb Q$.






    share|cite|improve this answer











    $endgroup$













      Your Answer





      StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function () {
      return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function () {
      StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix) {
      StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["$", "$"], ["\\(","\\)"]]);
      });
      });
      }, "mathjax-editing");

      StackExchange.ready(function() {
      var channelOptions = {
      tags: "".split(" "),
      id: "69"
      };
      initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

      StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
      // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
      if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
      StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
      createEditor();
      });
      }
      else {
      createEditor();
      }
      });

      function createEditor() {
      StackExchange.prepareEditor({
      heartbeatType: 'answer',
      autoActivateHeartbeat: false,
      convertImagesToLinks: true,
      noModals: true,
      showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
      reputationToPostImages: 10,
      bindNavPrevention: true,
      postfix: "",
      imageUploader: {
      brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
      contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
      allowUrls: true
      },
      noCode: true, onDemand: true,
      discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
      ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
      });


      }
      });














      draft saved

      draft discarded


















      StackExchange.ready(
      function () {
      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f2084427%2fminimal-polynomial-of-an-element-over-a-subfield-when-the-degrees-of-extensions%23new-answer', 'question_page');
      }
      );

      Post as a guest















      Required, but never shown

























      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes








      2 Answers
      2






      active

      oldest

      votes









      active

      oldest

      votes






      active

      oldest

      votes









      4












      $begingroup$

      Try $K=mathbb{Q}$, $L=mathbb{Q}(sqrt{2})$, $alpha=sqrt[6]{2}$.






      share|cite|improve this answer









      $endgroup$


















        4












        $begingroup$

        Try $K=mathbb{Q}$, $L=mathbb{Q}(sqrt{2})$, $alpha=sqrt[6]{2}$.






        share|cite|improve this answer









        $endgroup$
















          4












          4








          4





          $begingroup$

          Try $K=mathbb{Q}$, $L=mathbb{Q}(sqrt{2})$, $alpha=sqrt[6]{2}$.






          share|cite|improve this answer









          $endgroup$



          Try $K=mathbb{Q}$, $L=mathbb{Q}(sqrt{2})$, $alpha=sqrt[6]{2}$.







          share|cite|improve this answer












          share|cite|improve this answer



          share|cite|improve this answer










          answered Jan 5 '17 at 12:57









          Ievgen BondarenkoIevgen Bondarenko

          33617




          33617























              0












              $begingroup$

              Another counterexample to the exercise as written is to take $alpha in L setminus K$. Then $|L(alpha):L|=1$ is relatively prime to everything, but the minimal polynomial for $alpha$ over $L$ is simply $x - alpha$ which clearly does not have coefficients in $K$.



              I think it is a typo and that Garling meant $|K(alpha):K|$ and not $|L(alpha):L|$. Another statement for the exercise, which is probably more to the point and has essentially the same proof, is:




              Suppose that $K subset L subset L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, then $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.




              A proof would be:



              Since $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, and both divide $|L(alpha):K|$, their product must divide $|L(alpha):K|$, implying $|L(alpha):K| geq |K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K|$.



              But then, the general fact that $|K(alpha):K| geq |L(alpha):L|$ implies that $|K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K| geq |L(alpha):L| cdot |L:K| = |L(alpha):K|$.



              So the inequalities collapse, forcing $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.



              The exercise in this form can be used, for example, in exercise 5.9 to show that the positive $p$-th roots of $2$, as $p$ varies over the primes, are linearly independent over $mathbb Q$.






              share|cite|improve this answer











              $endgroup$


















                0












                $begingroup$

                Another counterexample to the exercise as written is to take $alpha in L setminus K$. Then $|L(alpha):L|=1$ is relatively prime to everything, but the minimal polynomial for $alpha$ over $L$ is simply $x - alpha$ which clearly does not have coefficients in $K$.



                I think it is a typo and that Garling meant $|K(alpha):K|$ and not $|L(alpha):L|$. Another statement for the exercise, which is probably more to the point and has essentially the same proof, is:




                Suppose that $K subset L subset L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, then $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.




                A proof would be:



                Since $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, and both divide $|L(alpha):K|$, their product must divide $|L(alpha):K|$, implying $|L(alpha):K| geq |K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K|$.



                But then, the general fact that $|K(alpha):K| geq |L(alpha):L|$ implies that $|K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K| geq |L(alpha):L| cdot |L:K| = |L(alpha):K|$.



                So the inequalities collapse, forcing $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.



                The exercise in this form can be used, for example, in exercise 5.9 to show that the positive $p$-th roots of $2$, as $p$ varies over the primes, are linearly independent over $mathbb Q$.






                share|cite|improve this answer











                $endgroup$
















                  0












                  0








                  0





                  $begingroup$

                  Another counterexample to the exercise as written is to take $alpha in L setminus K$. Then $|L(alpha):L|=1$ is relatively prime to everything, but the minimal polynomial for $alpha$ over $L$ is simply $x - alpha$ which clearly does not have coefficients in $K$.



                  I think it is a typo and that Garling meant $|K(alpha):K|$ and not $|L(alpha):L|$. Another statement for the exercise, which is probably more to the point and has essentially the same proof, is:




                  Suppose that $K subset L subset L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, then $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.




                  A proof would be:



                  Since $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, and both divide $|L(alpha):K|$, their product must divide $|L(alpha):K|$, implying $|L(alpha):K| geq |K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K|$.



                  But then, the general fact that $|K(alpha):K| geq |L(alpha):L|$ implies that $|K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K| geq |L(alpha):L| cdot |L:K| = |L(alpha):K|$.



                  So the inequalities collapse, forcing $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.



                  The exercise in this form can be used, for example, in exercise 5.9 to show that the positive $p$-th roots of $2$, as $p$ varies over the primes, are linearly independent over $mathbb Q$.






                  share|cite|improve this answer











                  $endgroup$



                  Another counterexample to the exercise as written is to take $alpha in L setminus K$. Then $|L(alpha):L|=1$ is relatively prime to everything, but the minimal polynomial for $alpha$ over $L$ is simply $x - alpha$ which clearly does not have coefficients in $K$.



                  I think it is a typo and that Garling meant $|K(alpha):K|$ and not $|L(alpha):L|$. Another statement for the exercise, which is probably more to the point and has essentially the same proof, is:




                  Suppose that $K subset L subset L(alpha)$ are field extensions, and that $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, then $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.




                  A proof would be:



                  Since $|K(alpha):K|$ and $|L:K|$ are relatively prime, and both divide $|L(alpha):K|$, their product must divide $|L(alpha):K|$, implying $|L(alpha):K| geq |K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K|$.



                  But then, the general fact that $|K(alpha):K| geq |L(alpha):L|$ implies that $|K(alpha):K| cdot |L:K| geq |L(alpha):L| cdot |L:K| = |L(alpha):K|$.



                  So the inequalities collapse, forcing $|L(alpha):L| = |K(alpha):K|$.



                  The exercise in this form can be used, for example, in exercise 5.9 to show that the positive $p$-th roots of $2$, as $p$ varies over the primes, are linearly independent over $mathbb Q$.







                  share|cite|improve this answer














                  share|cite|improve this answer



                  share|cite|improve this answer








                  edited Dec 11 '18 at 11:53

























                  answered Dec 10 '18 at 19:04









                  user3339517user3339517

                  315




                  315






























                      draft saved

                      draft discarded




















































                      Thanks for contributing an answer to Mathematics Stack Exchange!


                      • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

                      But avoid



                      • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

                      • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


                      Use MathJax to format equations. MathJax reference.


                      To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




                      draft saved


                      draft discarded














                      StackExchange.ready(
                      function () {
                      StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmath.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f2084427%2fminimal-polynomial-of-an-element-over-a-subfield-when-the-degrees-of-extensions%23new-answer', 'question_page');
                      }
                      );

                      Post as a guest















                      Required, but never shown





















































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown

































                      Required, but never shown














                      Required, but never shown












                      Required, but never shown







                      Required, but never shown







                      Popular posts from this blog

                      Quarter-circle Tiles

                      build a pushdown automaton that recognizes the reverse language of a given pushdown automaton?

                      Mont Emei