Undergrad Generators of Galois group of ## X^n - \theta ##

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The discussion focuses on the Galois group of the polynomial f(x) = x^n - θ in the context of field extensions. The participants explore the generators σ and τ of the Galois group, noting their orders and the relationships between them. They establish that the splitting field is Q(t, ω) and discuss the degree of the extension being p(p-1). The conversation emphasizes the importance of knowing the order of the Galois group, which must divide the degree of the extension, and how this influences the structure of the group. Ultimately, there is uncertainty about how to demonstrate that the group is generated correctly and the implications of the cyclic nature of its subgroups.
kmitza
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If we have a polynomial ##x^p - \theta## for some prime p. Then we can show that it's Galois group has order p(p-1) then I want to prove what the group looks like described by generators and relations between them
As the summary says we have ## f(x) = x^n - \theta \in \mathbb{Q}[x] ##. We will call the pth primitive root ## \omega ## and we denote ##[\mathbb{Q}(\omega) : \mathbb{Q}] = j##. We want to show that the Galois group is generated by ##\sigma, \tau## such that
$$ \sigma^j = \tau^p = 1, \sigma^k\tau = \tau\sigma$$.

I know that the splitting field of ## f ## is going to be ##Q(t,\omega)## and that the degree of this extension is going to be ##[Q(t,\omega): :Q(\omega)][Q(\omega : Q)] ## where ## t^p = \theta ##, further as minimal polynomial of ## \omega ## is going to be ## p^{th} ## cyclotomic I have the second multiple being (p-1) and I can prove that the whole extension will have degree p(p-1). Now my idea is to define the morphisms as:
$$\sigma(t) = t, \sigma(\omega) = \omega^2$$ and $$\tau(t) = t\omega, \tau(\omega) = \omega$$
I can show that order of these two groups are p-1 and p but I don't know how to show that they generate my group.
I suspect that I am meant to construct the group as a semidirect product of ##<\tau>## and ##<\omega>## but I can't figure it out completely.
 
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The order of the Galois group divides the degree of the extension, which you say you know is p(p-1). Do you know any numbers that must divide the order of the galois group?

Knowing the order of the Galois group helps a lot in figuring out what it is, because you can often rule out relationships existing between elements that you wouldn't have immediately guessed.
 
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Office_Shredder said:
The order of the Galois group divides the degree of the extension, which you say you know is p(p-1). Do you know any numbers that must divide the order of the galois group?

Knowing the order of the Galois group helps a lot in figuring out what it is, because you can often rule out relationships existing between elements that you wouldn't have immediately guessed.
Maybe I am mistaken but if I know the degree of the extension and I know it is Galois, don't I know that group is going to be of the order exactly the same as the degree? So I know that the order of the whole Galois group is p(p-1)? Now I know that I have a subgroup of order p which is immediately cyclic and I have a subgroup of order p-1 generated by ## \sigma ## and as the two groups are of coprime order their intersection is the identity? Now from here I don't know what to do
 
You say the subgroup of order p-1 is generated by a single element ##\sigma##, so that it's also cyclic?
Edit: Because if you're correct, and both are cyclic, so is their direct product, and then you won't have the relations you described.
 

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