UFDs: Lemma Implications Explained

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In summary, the lemma states that if a polynomial in D[x] is irreducible in D[x], it is also irreducible in F[x]. And if it is primitive in D[x] and irreducible in F[x], it is also irreducible in D[x]. This implies that the irreducibles in D[x] are composed of the irreducibles in D and the nonconstant primitive polynomials that are irreducible in F. This is because if an element is irreducible in D, it cannot be factored in D[x] and must be a nonconstant primitive polynomial in F[x] that is also irreducible in F[x]. As for the corollary, it states that a polynomial in D[x] can be
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I'm currently reading a textbook on algebra, and one of the lemmas is the following:

Let D be a UFD and let F be the field of quotients of D. Let f(x) in D[x] where degree(f(x)) > 0.
If f(x) is irreducible in D[x], then f(x) is also irreducible in F[x].
Also, if f(x) is primitive in D[x] and irreducible in F[x], then f(x) is irreducible in D[x].

It then says that this lemma shows that the irreducibles in D[x] are precisely the irreducibles in D, together with the nonconstant primitive polynomials that are irreducible in F.

Can someone explain how the lemma implies this, in particular it makes no mention of the irreducibles of D.
 
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If b is an irreducible element in D, how can it possibly factor in D[x]? Well, it will be of the form b=f(x)g(x). Since b is degree 0, each of f(x) and g(x) must be of degree zero, i.e. must be in D itself. But then you've factored b which is impossible.
 
  • #3
I see. I've got another question. As a corollary to the above it states (using the same notation): For a nonconstant f(x) in D[x], f(x) can be factored into two polynomials of lower degree r and s in D[x] iff f(x) can be factored into two polynomials of lower degree r and s in F[x].

Since this is an iff statement, negating both sides of the iff statement is also true, this gives f(x) is irreducible in D[x] iff it is irreducible in F[x]. Is that correct? Seems strange because it's a stronger statement than the 3rd line of the original lemma.
 

1. What are UFDs?

UFD stands for Unique Factorization Domain. It is a type of algebraic structure in abstract algebra that has the property of unique factorization of elements into irreducible factors. In simpler terms, it means that every element in a UFD can be expressed as a unique product of irreducible elements.

2. What is the significance of UFDs in mathematics?

UFDs are important in mathematics because they provide a way to uniquely factorize elements, which makes it easier to study and understand properties of these elements. They also have applications in number theory, algebraic geometry, and cryptography.

3. What is the difference between a UFD and a PID?

A PID (Principal Ideal Domain) is a type of ring in abstract algebra that has the property of unique factorization of ideals, while a UFD has the property of unique factorization of elements. Every PID is a UFD, but not every UFD is a PID.

4. How do UFDs relate to prime numbers?

In a UFD, every irreducible element is also a prime element. This means that every prime number can be expressed as a unique product of irreducible elements in a UFD. However, not all irreducible elements in a UFD are prime, as there can be non-prime irreducible elements.

5. Can all rings be classified as UFDs or PIDs?

No, not all rings can be classified as UFDs or PIDs. In fact, there are many rings that are not even integral domains, which is a prerequisite for being a UFD or PID. Some examples of rings that are not UFDs or PIDs include finite rings, polynomial rings over non-field rings, and rings with zero divisors.

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