# Ring theory question

1. May 4, 2012

### Mathguy15

Hello,

I wanted to know something regarding the quotient ring Z[x]/pZ[x], where Z[x] is the set of all polynomials with integer coefficients and pZ[x], for a prime number p, is the set of all polynomials with integer coefficients divisible by p. I'm currently working through some notes on Applying Basic Abstract Algebra to Problems of Number Theory, and I don't understand the proof of Eisenstein's criterion. My confusion hinges upon this issue. The author of the notes says that if p(x) is a reducible polynomial with integer coefficients, then p(x)+Z[x]={q(x)+Z[x]}{r(x)+Z[x]}, where q(x) and r(x) are elements of Z[x] such that q(x)r(x)=p(x). Now, I know this seems really basic, but I have a question: Doesn't this hold for general integers rather than prime numbers? Must p be prime?

Thanks,
Mathguy

Last edited: May 4, 2012
2. May 4, 2012

### DonAntonio

Where in what you quoted is the word "prime" written? If $\,\,f(x)\in\mathbb Z[x]\,\,$ is reducible then $\,\,\exists q(x)\,,\,r(x)\in\mathbb Z[x]\,\,$ s.t.

$f(x)=q(x)r(x)$ . Why you add to each term in this equation the $\,\,+\mathbb Z[x]\,\,$ is beyond my comprehension, but I can try to guess that

what the book/you is/are really trying to convey is that from the last equality it follows at once that $$f(x)+p\mathbb Z[x]=\left(q(x)+p\mathbb Z[x]\right)\left(r(x)+p\mathbb Z[x]\right)$$ which is an equality in the quotient ring $\,\,\mathbb Z[x]/p\mathbb Z[x]\cong \left(\mathbb Z/p\mathbb Z\right)[x]$ .

DonAntonio

3. May 4, 2012

### Mathguy15

Sorry, I meant to add pZ[x] to each term. Regarding the equality you stated, doesn't that hold more generally, or is it special to primes because pZ[x] is a prime ideal?

Thanks,
mathguy

4. May 4, 2012

### DonAntonio

If you meant the equality $\,\,f(x)=q(x)r(x)\,\,$ then this is the meaning of "the element f(x) is reducible" in any ring , or when

it is given that the element q(x) divides the element f(x)...and this much is true for any kind of elements in a ring, not only polynomials.

DonAntonio

5. May 4, 2012

### Mathguy15

Oh, sorry again, I'm being awfully slow today. I meant the equality f(x)+pZ[x]={q(x)+pZ[x]}{r(x)+pZ[x]}. Doesn't this hold more generally for integers rather prime numbers?

6. May 4, 2012

### DonAntonio

Oh, this is only the definition of product in the quotient ring $\,\,\mathbb{Z}[x]/p\mathbb{Z}[x]\,\,$ ...