Automorphism group of field extension

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SUMMARY

The automorphism group G of the field extension M = Q(i, √2) is isomorphic to the Klein four-group V_4. The discussion establishes that the minimal polynomial of i over K = Q(√2) is X² + 1, and the automorphisms can be constructed by sending i to -i and √2 to itself, as well as the identity automorphism. Further analysis shows that the minimal polynomial of M is (X² + 1)(X² - 2), leading to additional automorphisms. The conclusion is that the structure of G is limited to the identified automorphisms, confirming that no additional automorphisms exist beyond those derived from the roots of the minimal polynomials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of field extensions and automorphisms
  • Familiarity with minimal polynomials and their roots
  • Knowledge of the Klein four-group V_4
  • Basic concepts of Galois theory
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Klein four-group V_4 in detail
  • Explore Galois theory and its applications to field extensions
  • Learn about minimal polynomials and their significance in field theory
  • Investigate other examples of automorphism groups in different field extensions
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, particularly those specializing in algebra and field theory, as well as students studying Galois theory and automorphisms of field extensions.

Pietjuh
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Take [tex]M = Q(i, \sqrt{2} )[/tex]. Prove that G = Aut(M) is isomorphic to [tex]V_4[/tex]

I have some ideas but I don't know how to justify them:

Consider [tex]K(i)[/tex] with [tex]K = Q(\sqrt{2})[/tex]. The the minimal polynomial of i over K equals to X^2 + 1. I know the fact that if x is a zero of a polynomial P and f is an automorphism, then f(x) is also a zero of P. Also, if f is in Aut(M), then it is a Q-automorphism, so it is the identity on the elements of Q. We can now construct an automorphism by sending i to -i and sqrt(2) to itself. Ofcourse we can also have the identity automorphism. Now by looking at [tex]L(\sqrt{2})[/tex] with [tex]L = Q(i)[/tex], with minimal polynomial X^2 - 2, we find an automorphism by sending i to i and sqrt(2) to - sqrt(2). If we just look at M itself, we find that the minimal polynomial equals (X^2 + 1)(X^2 - 2), and find and automorphism by sending i to -i and sqrt(2) to -sqrt(2).

Now by looking at the compositions of the automorphisms we get the structure of V_4. The only problem I have is to show that we can't have any more automorphims than the ones I found.
 
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You just said that if x is a zero of P, and f is an automorphism, then f(x) is a zero of P. x² + 1 only has two roots, so it must either send i to i or -i, and something similar is true for where 21/2 is sent. Now if f is any automorphism, and m is any element of M, then isn't f(m) uniquely determined by where 1, i, and 21/2 are sent? In fact, since 1 is sent to 1, f(m) is uniquely determined by where i and 21/2 are sent.
 

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