How can we prove that E/Q is a normal extension?

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In summary, the conversation is about showing that the extension $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is normal, where $E=\mathbb{Q}(a)$ and $a$ is a root of the irreducible polynomial $x^3-3x-1 \in \mathbb{Q}[x]$. The speaker has found a basis for the extension and is trying to find the minimal irreducible polynomial of an element $b \in E$ over $\mathbb{Q}$. They suggest using the euclidean algorithm and considering the other roots of $x^3-3x-1$ to show that $E$ is a splitting field for this polynomial. They also wonder if there is another way to show this
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mathmari
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Hey! :eek:

We have that $E=\mathbb{Q}(a)$, where $a\in \mathbb{C}$ is a root of the irreducible polynomial $x^3-3x-1\in \mathbb{Q}[x]$.

I want to show that $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is normal.
I have done the following:

Let $b\in E$.

A basis of the extension is $1, a, a^2$. So, $b$ can be written as $$b=q_0+q_1a+q_2a^2$$

We have to find the minimal irreducible polynomial of $b$ over $\mathbb{Q}$ and compute the other roots to check if they are in $E$, or not?

Since $[E:\mathbb{Q}]=3$, we have that $\deg m(b,\mathbb{Q})\leq 3$.

So, the general form of that polynomial is $Ax^3+Bx^2+Cx+D$.

So, do we have to replace $x$ with $b=q_0+q_1a+q_2a^2$, compute that polynomial, knowing that $a^3=3a+1$, and find the other roots? (Wondering)

Or is there an other way to show that? (Wondering)
 
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We have that $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is normal iff $E$ is a splitting field for some polynomial in $\mathbb{Q}[x]$.

We have that one root of $x^3-3x-1$ is $a$. Using the euclidean algorithm we have that $x^3-3x-1=(x-a)(x^2+ax+(a^2-3))$.

The roots of the polynomial $x^2+ax+(a^2-3)$ are $x=\frac{-a+\sqrt{12-3a^2}}{2}, \ \ x=\frac{-a-\sqrt{12-3a^2}}{2}$.

To show that $E$ is a splitting field for $x^3-3x-1$, we have to show that all the roots of that polynomial are in $E$, or not? (Wondering)

We have that $a\in E$. But does it hold that $\sqrt{12-3a^2}\in E$ ? (Wondering)
I tried to check if there are $q_0, q_1, q_2\in \mathbb{Q}$ such that $q_0+q_1a+q_2a^2=\sqrt{12-3a^2}$, but then we get the system:
$\left\{\begin{align}q_0^2 +2q_1q_2 &= 12\\q_2^2 + 2q_0q_1 + 6q_1q_2 &= 0\\q_1^2 + 2q_0q_2 + 3q_2^2 &= -3\end{align}\right.$.
Can we solve it? (Wondering)
 

1. What does it mean for E/Q to be normal?

When we say that E/Q is normal, we are referring to the Galois group of the extension E/Q. This means that the extension E/Q is a Galois extension, and all of its subfields are intermediate fields of the Galois group. In simpler terms, it means that the extension E/Q has a unique subfield corresponding to each subgroup of its Galois group.

2. How can we prove that E/Q is normal?

To prove that E/Q is normal, we can use the fundamental theorem of Galois theory. This theorem states that a finite extension E/F is normal if and only if the Galois group of E/F is a normal subgroup of the Galois group of any intermediate field of E/F. So, to prove that E/Q is normal, we need to show that the Galois group of E/Q is a normal subgroup of the Galois group of any intermediate field of E/Q.

3. Why is it important for E/Q to be normal?

A normal extension has many important properties that make it useful in mathematics. For example, it allows us to use the Galois group to study the structure of the extension, and it also simplifies the process of finding all intermediate fields of the extension. Furthermore, normal extensions have applications in other areas of mathematics, such as algebraic geometry and number theory.

4. Can E/Q be normal if E is not a Galois extension?

No, E/Q cannot be normal if E is not a Galois extension. This is because the condition for a finite extension to be normal is that all subfields are intermediate fields of the Galois group. If E is not a Galois extension, then it will have subfields that are not intermediate fields of its Galois group, and therefore cannot be normal.

5. How does normality relate to other properties of an extension?

Normality is closely related to other properties of an extension, such as separability and simplicity. A normal extension is always separable, which means that all of its roots are distinct in its splitting field. It is also simple, meaning that it is generated by a single element over its base field. However, not all separable or simple extensions are normal.

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