Undergrad Is the Order of an Automorphism in a Field with Characteristic p Equal to p?

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SUMMARY

The order of an automorphism in a field with characteristic \( p \) is not necessarily equal to \( p \). For example, in the field \( \mathbb{K} = \mathbb{F}_3[\mathrm{i}] \), where \( \mathbb{F}_3 \) is the finite field with three elements, the automorphism defined by \( \sigma(a + b\mathrm{i}) = a - b\mathrm{i} \) has an order of 2, not 3. However, the Frobenius homomorphism \( x \mapsto x^p \) serves as an automorphism in fields of finite characteristic, acting as the identity on the prime field \( \mathbb{F}_p \).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of field theory and automorphisms
  • Knowledge of finite fields, specifically \( \mathbb{F}_p \)
  • Familiarity with the concept of irreducibility in polynomials
  • Basic understanding of homomorphisms and their properties
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of the Frobenius homomorphism in finite fields
  • Explore the concept of field extensions and their automorphisms
  • Investigate the implications of irreducible polynomials in field theory
  • Learn about the structure of automorphisms in characteristic zero fields
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, particularly those specializing in abstract algebra, field theory, and automorphism properties. This discussion is also beneficial for students studying advanced algebra concepts.

HDB1
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Please, I have a question about automorphism:

Let ##\mathbb{K}## be a field, if ##\operatorname{char}(\mathbb{K})=p ##, then the order of automorphism ##\phi## is ##p##, i.e. ##\phi^p=\operatorname{id}##, where ##i d## is identity map.

Is that right? please, if yes, how we can prove it, and what will happen if ##\operatorname{char}(\mathbb{K})=0 ##Thanks in advance, :heart:
 
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Dear @fresh_42 , if you could help, I would appreciate that, :heart: :heart:
 
HDB1 said:
Please, I have a question about automorphism:

Let ##\mathbb{K}## be a field, if ##\operatorname{char}(\mathbb{K})=p ##, then the order of automorphism ##\phi## is ##p##, i.e. ##\phi^p=\operatorname{id}##, where ##i d## is identity map.

Is that right? please, if yes, how we can prove it, and what will happen if ##\operatorname{char}(\mathbb{K})=0 ##Thanks in advance, :heart:
This is not the case.

Consider ##\mathbb{F}_3=\mathbb{Z}/3\mathbb{Z}=\{\bar 0\, , \,\bar 1\, , \,\bar 2\, , \,\}## and the polynomial ##f(x)=x^2+\bar1 \in \mathbb{F}_3[x].## It has no zeros in ##\mathbb{F}_3## since ##f(\bar 0)=\bar 1 \, , \,f(\bar 1)= \bar 2 \, , \,f(\bar 2)=\bar 2 .## Therefore, it has no factors of degree ##1,## i.e. it is irreducible. If we add a zero ##\mathrm{i}## of ##x^2+1## to ##\mathbb{F}_3,## i.e. we build
$$
\mathbb{K}=\mathbb{F}_3[x]/\langle x^2+1 \rangle \cong \mathbb{F}_3[\mathrm{i}]
$$
then ##\mathbb{F}_3 \subsetneq \mathbb{F}_3[\mathrm{i}]=\mathbb{K}## is a proper field extension and ##\operatorname{char}\mathbb{F}_3=\operatorname{char}\mathbb{K}=3.##

We define ## \sigma (a+b\mathrm{i}):=a-b \mathrm{i}## for all ##a,b \in \mathbb{F}_3.## Then ##\sigma ## is an automorphism of ##\mathbb{K}## and ##\sigma^2=\operatorname{id}_{\mathbb{K}},## i.e. ##\operatorname{ord}(\sigma)=2.##

However, and maybe this is what you meant, there is a certain automorphism for fields of finite characteristic. Say ##\operatorname{char}\mathbb{K}=p.## Then ##x\longmapsto x^p## is the Frobenius homomorphism which is an automorphism of ##\mathbb{K}## and the identity map on the prime field ##\mathbb{F}_p## of ##\mathbb{K}.##
 
Last edited:

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