Galois Extension with intermediate field that is not Galois

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding fields K, M, and L such that the extension K:L is Galois while K:M is not. The user proposes K = Q, the field of rational numbers, and explores the implications of using primitive roots of unity, specifically c as a primitive 6th root and a primitive third root of unity. The user concludes that the minimal polynomial x^3 - a plays a crucial role in determining the Galois nature of the extensions, confirming that Q < Q(ac) is Galois while Q < Q(a) is not.

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Homework Statement


Hey PF, I'm trying to find fields K<M<L such that K:L is Galois but K:M is not.

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The Attempt at a Solution


My first idea was let K=Q the field of rational numbers and c be a primitive 6th root of unity, so then Q<Q(c^4)<Q(c). Q:Q(c) Is galois, and I'm hoping that Q<Q(c^4) is not. Then again, would c^4 be a third primitive root of unity? If so then Q<Q(c^4) would be Galois I believe. Right?

Can anyone help me find something that would work?
 
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As long as you deal with powers of two, you will probably find a lot of conjugates. This means that with one root, the other one is found by an automorphism. What if you consider a polynomial with two kinds of roots: a conjugate pair and another one? Which power comes to mind in such a case?
 
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fresh_42 said:
As long as you deal with powers of two, you will probably find a lot of conjugates. This means that with one root, the other one is found by an automorphism. What if you consider a polynomial with two kinds of roots: a conjugate pair and another one? Which power comes to mind in such a case?

Powers of 3 come to mind. A splitting field for x^3-1=(x-1)(x^2+x+1). However if c is a primitive third root of unity then Q(c)=Q(c^2) so I do not think that this example will help me find an extension with a non-Galois intermediate field. Perhaps Q(ac) where a is the third real root of some integer n and c is a primitive third root of unity, then Q<Q(a)<Q(ac) where Q:Q(ac) is Galois and Q:(a) is not. the minimal polynomial of ac over Q will be x^3-a, and this polynomial will split in Q(ac).
But the minimal polynomial of a over Q is also x^3-a and this polynomial will not split in Q(a).

Are my statements correct?
 
PsychonautQQ said:
Powers of 3 come to mind. A splitting field for x^3-1=(x-1)(x^2+x+1). However if c is a primitive third root of unity then Q(c)=Q(c^2) so I do not think that this example will help me find an extension with a non-Galois intermediate field. Perhaps Q(ac) where a is the third real root of some integer n and c is a primitive third root of unity, then Q<Q(a)<Q(ac) where Q:Q(ac) is Galois and Q:(a) is not. the minimal polynomial of ac over Q will be x^3-a, and this polynomial will split in Q(ac).
But the minimal polynomial of a over Q is also x^3-a and this polynomial will not split in Q(a).

Are my statements correct?
Would have been easier to read if you just said ##2## instead of ##a## and didn't introduce ##n## because you confused yourself ("a is the third real root of some integer n" and then "x^3-a"), but, yes, you're correct.
 
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