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RJLiberator
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Homework Statement
Suppose a field F has n elements and [itex]F=(a_1,a_2,...,a_n)[/itex]. Show that the polynomial [itex]w(x)=(x-a_1)(x-a_2)...(x-a_n)+1_F[/itex] has no roots in F, where [itex]1_f[/itex] denotes the multiplicative identity in F.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Strategy: We have this polynomial:
[itex]w(x)=(x-a_1)(x-a_2)...(x-a_n)+1_F[/itex]
When we set it to 0 we see that the (x-a) terms need to equal -1 for w(x) to have a root.
But here's my problem.
I was thinking of trying to use induction on this proof.
But if n = 0, then we have x+1 = 0 and x = i^2 which is in a field, the complex field.
That has a root.
But ok, let's say n = 1. Then we have x-a+1=0 in which case x = 3, a=4 would be a root.
Must I assume that there is more then n=1 elements?