Maximal Ideals - Exercise 5.1 (iii) Rotman AMA

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The discussion centers on Exercise 5.1 (iii) from Joseph J. Rotman's "Advanced Modern Algebra," specifically regarding maximal ideals in the context of the ring F[x]. Participants confirm that over a field F, F[x] is a Euclidean domain, principal ideal domain (PID), and a unique factorization domain (UFD). Maximal ideals in this setting are generated by irreducible polynomials, which are also prime ideals. The Fundamental Theorem of Algebra indicates that part (iii) is simpler than part (ii), with a notable distinction between irreducibility in the rings of polynomials over the complex numbers and the real numbers.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Euclidean domains and principal ideal domains (PIDs)
  • Familiarity with unique factorization domains (UFDs)
  • Knowledge of irreducible and prime polynomials
  • Grasp of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Euclidean domains and their implications on ideal structures
  • Explore the differences between irreducible polynomials in $\Bbb C[x]$ and $\Bbb R[x]$
  • Investigate the applications of the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra in polynomial factorization
  • Learn about the implications of maximal ideals in algebraic structures
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Mathematicians, algebra students, and educators focusing on abstract algebra, particularly those studying ring theory and polynomial ideals.

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I am reading Joseph J. Rotman's book: Advanced Modern Algebra (AMA) and I am currently focused on Section 5.1 Prime Ideals and Maximal Ideals ...

I need some help with Exercise 5.1, Part (iii) ... ...Exercise 5.1 reads as follows:
View attachment 5943Can someone please help me to get a start on this exercise ...

Peter
 
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Hint:

over a field $F$, the ring $F[x]$ is a Euclidean domain (with Euclidean function $\text{deg}$), and thus a fortiori a principal ideal domain, and also a unique factorization domain.

So maximal ideals are generated by irreducible polynomials, which *are* the prime ideals as well, since irreducibles are prime and vice-versa.

Due to the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, part (iii) is actually easier than part (ii).
 
Deveno said:
Hint:

over a field $F$, the ring $F[x]$ is a Euclidean domain (with Euclidean function $\text{deg}$), and thus a fortiori a principal ideal domain, and also a unique factorization domain.

So maximal ideals are generated by irreducible polynomials, which *are* the prime ideals as well, since irreducibles are prime and vice-versa.

Due to the Fundamental Theorem of Algebra, part (iii) is actually easier than part (ii).
Thanks for the help, Deveno ... appreciate it

Not quite sure what you are saying about Part (ii) though ... again we have a PID and so again, as you say, the maximal ideals are generated by irreducible polynomials, which *are* the prime ideals as well, since irreducibles are prime and vice-versa ... so answer seems the same ...

Can you clarify ...

Peter
 
$\Bbb C[x]$ has a lesser variety of irreducible polynomials that $\Bbb R[x]$ does. For example, $x^2 + 1 = (x + i)(x - i)$ is reducible in $\Bbb C[x]$, but is irreducible in $\Bbb R[x]$.

This is because $\Bbb C$ is algebraically closed, and $\Bbb R$ is not.
 

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