Prove that an element is algebraic over a field extension

TopCat
Messages
55
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


Let F|K be a field extension. If v e F is algebraic over K(u) for some u e F and v is transcendental over K, then u is algebraic over K(v).

Homework Equations


v transcendental over K implies K(v) iso to K(x).
Know also that there exists f e K(u)[x] with f(v) = 0.

The Attempt at a Solution


Want to show that there exists h e K(v)[x] with h(u) = 0.
I'm trying to find this directly since I don't see a contrapositive proof working out. I feel like I should use v alg|K(u) to get that K(u)(v) \cong K(u)[x]/(f) though I'm not sure how to get to that h in K(v)[x]. Somehow pass to that quotient field and show that u is a root of some remainder polynomial of f?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hint: K(u,v) is finite over K(u).
 
Thanks for the help, morphism.

So then I have [K(u,v):K] = [K(u,v):K(v)][K(v):K] = [K(u,v):K(u)][K(u):K] = n[K(u):K]. Since v trans|K, [K(v):K] is inf, and by equality [K(u):K] must be inf. But this means that u is trans|K, so there is an isomorphism from K(u) → K(v) mapping u → v. But this implies u is alg|K(v). Is that right, or did I get off track somewhere?
 
My only objection is to the sentence "But this implies u is alg|K(v)."

How did you arrive at this conclusion?
 
There are two things I don't understand about this problem. First, when finding the nth root of a number, there should in theory be n solutions. However, the formula produces n+1 roots. Here is how. The first root is simply ##\left(r\right)^{\left(\frac{1}{n}\right)}##. Then you multiply this first root by n additional expressions given by the formula, as you go through k=0,1,...n-1. So you end up with n+1 roots, which cannot be correct. Let me illustrate what I mean. For this...
Back
Top