Splitting Fields - Example 3 - D&F Section 13.4, pages 537 - 538

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Example 3 from Chapter 13 of "Abstract Algebra" by David S. Dummit and Richard M. Foote, specifically regarding splitting fields and algebraic closures. The key point is that the degree of the extension \( K \) over \( \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{2}) \) is exactly 2 because \( \sqrt{-3} \) is not in \( \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{2}) \), and its minimal polynomial \( x^2 + 3 \) has a degree of 2. This establishes that \( \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{2}) \) is not the splitting field for the polynomial \( x^2 + 3 \), confirming the degree of the extension must be 2.

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I am reading Dummit and Foote, Chapter 13 - Field Theory.

I am currently studying Section 13.4 : Splitting Fields and Algebraic Closures ... ...

I need some help with an aspect of Example 3 of Section 13.4 ... ...

Example 3 reads as follows:
View attachment 6603
View attachment 6604
In the above text by Dummit and Foote, we read the following:

" ... ... Since $$\sqrt{ -3 }$$ satisfies the equation $$x^2 + 3 = 0$$ the degree of this extension over $$\mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt [3] {2} )$$ is at most $$2$$, hence must be $$2$$ since we observed above that $$\mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt [3] {2} ) $$ is not the splitting field ... ... "I do not understand why the degree of the extension $$K$$ over $$\mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt [3] {2} )$$ must be exactly $$2$$ ... ... why does $$\mathbb{Q} ( \sqrt [3] {2} )$$ not being the splitting field ensure this ... ... ?

Can someone please give a simple and complete explanation ...

Hope someone can help ...

Peter
 
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It could have been worded differently, but here is the point. Since $\sqrt{-3}\notin Q(\sqrt[3]{2}) := L$, then $[K:Q(\sqrt[3]{2})] = [L(\sqrt{-3}):L] > 1$. On the other hand, since $\sqrt{-3}$ is a root of $x^2 + 3$, its minimal polynomial has degree $\le 2$ and thus $[L(\sqrt{-3}):L] \le 2$. This forces $[L(\sqrt{-3}): L] = 2$, i.e., $[K:Q(\sqrt[3]{2})] = 2$.
 
Euge said:
It could have been worded differently, but here is the point. Since $\sqrt{-3}\notin Q(\sqrt[3]{2}) := L$, then $[K:Q(\sqrt[3]{2})] = [L(\sqrt{-3}):L] > 1$. On the other hand, since $\sqrt{-3}$ is a root of $x^2 + 3$, its minimal polynomial has degree $\le 2$ and thus $[L(\sqrt{-3}):L] \le 2$. This forces $[L(\sqrt{-3}): L] = 2$, i.e., $[K:Q(\sqrt[3]{2})] = 2$.
Thanks Euge ...

just now reflecting on what you have said ...

Peter
 

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