# I Galois Theory - Structure Within Aut(K/Q) ...

1. Jun 15, 2017

### Math Amateur

I am reading "Abstract Algebra: Structures and Applications" by Stephen Lovett ...

I am currently focused on Chapter 8: Galois Theory, Section 1: Automorphisms of Field Extensions ... ...

I need help with Example 11.1.10 on page 560 ... ...

Example 11.1.10 reads as follows:

My questions regarding the above example are as follows:

Question 1

In the above text from Lovett we read the following:

" ... ... It is easy to show that $\text{Aut} ( K / \mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt[3]{13} ) \ \cong \mathbb{Z}_2$ ... ... "

Can someone please help me to show that $\text{Aut} ( K / \mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt[3]{13} ) \ \cong \mathbb{Z}_2$ ... ... ?

Question 2

In the above text from Lovett we read the following:

" ... ... By Proposition 11.1.4, there are at most three options where to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ and at most two options where to map $\sqrt{ -3 }$ ... ... "

My question is ... what are the three options where to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ ... surely there is only one option to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ as the field extension is over $\mathbb{Q}$ and two of the "options" are imaginary or complex numbers ... or is Lovett just relying on "at most" ... why not rule out the complex roots straight away ... similarly I am puzzled about the two options for $\sqrt{ -3 }$ ... I am also puzzled about the role of Proposition 11.1.4 in this matter ... How does Proposition 11.1.4 ensure that there are at most three options where to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ and at most two options where to map $\sqrt{ -3 }$ ... ... ... can someone please clarify the situation ...

The above question refers to Proposition 11.1.4 ... ... so I am providing the text of that proposition ... ... as follows ... ...

Help with the above questions will be much appreciated ... ...

Peter

***EDIT***

Just thinking ... since $K = \mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt[3]{13}, \sqrt{ -3 } )$ it already contains a complex number, namely $\sqrt{ -3 } = \sqrt{ 3 }i$ ... maybe that partly explains my questions ... ... and I think it is $K$containing the relevant roots, not $\mathbb{Q}$ as I was implying above ...

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2. Jun 15, 2017

### Staff: Mentor

Let us forget about $\sqrt[3]{13}$ for a moment and note $\mathbb{Q}[\sqrt[3]{13}] = F$. Then $K = F[\sqrt{-3}]$.
Which automorphisms $\operatorname{Aut}(K/F)$ of $K$ that keep $F$ fixed do you have here?
Have you calculated the minimal polynomial of $\mathbb{Q} \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{13},\sqrt{-3})\,$? It has three possible roots, $\sqrt[3]{13} \, , \, +\sqrt{-3}\, , \,-\sqrt{-3}\,$. It is only one polynomial and all those have to be roots.

3. Jun 15, 2017

### Math Amateur

Thanks for the help fresh_42 ... ...

You write:

"Let us forget about $\sqrt[3]{13}$ for a moment and note $\mathbb{Q}[\sqrt[3]{13}] = F$. Then $K = F[\sqrt{-3}]$.
Which automorphisms $\operatorname{Aut}(K/F)$ of $K$ that keep $F$ fixed do you have here?"

I think the automorphisms $\operatorname{Aut}(K/F)$ of $K$ that keep $F$ fixed would be as follows:

$\sigma ( \sqrt{ -3} ) = \sqrt{ -3}$ ... ... (identity)

and

$\tau ( \sqrt{ -3} ) = - \sqrt{ -3}$

Is that correct?

You also write:

"Have you calculated the minimal polynomial of $\mathbb{Q} \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{13},\sqrt{-3})\,$?"

Minimum polynomial is $m(x) = (x^3 - 13)( x^2 + 3)$

Is that correct?

On the question of Lovett taking about the three options to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ ... ... is it just that he uses the term "at most" ?

Peter

4. Jun 15, 2017

### Staff: Mentor

Yes.
I think so. In the end we have a tower $\mathbb{Q} \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-3}) \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-3},\sqrt[3]{13})$, i.e. an extension of degree two and one of degree three or vice versa.
I think I was thinking wrongly here. His upper bound of (at most, yes) three comes from the principle possibility to map $\sqrt[3]{13}$ onto itself and the other two (complex) roots of $x^3 - 13$. I haven't done the math but he mentions that $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-3})$ contains the third roots of unity, and thus can be used to create the missing roots of $x^3-13$ if the real one $\sqrt[3]{13}$ is available.

5. Jun 15, 2017

### Math Amateur

Thanks fresh_42 ...

Still reflecting on what you have said and reading and re-reading the example ...

In particular wondering where the mapping $\sigma$ comes from ...?

Peter

6. Jun 15, 2017

### Staff: Mentor

Good question! As I see it , $\sigma = \rho$. Haven't even noticed this error.

7. Jun 15, 2017

### Math Amateur

Yes, agree ...

Thanks again for your help ...

Peter

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