EXERCISES IN FIELD THEORY AND GALOIS THEORY

1. Algebraic extensions
(1) Let F be a finite field with characteristic p. Prove that |F | = pn for some n.
(2) Using f (x) = x2 + x 1 and g(x) = x3 x + 1, construct finite fields containing
4, 8, 9, 27 elements. Write down multiplication tables for the fields with 4 and 9
elements and verify that the multiplicative groups of these fields are cyclic.

(3) Determine irreducible monic polynomials over Q for 1 + i, 2 + 3, and 1 + 3 2 + 3 4.

(4) Prove that x3 2 and x3 3 are irreducible over Q(i).

(5) Prove that Q( 2 + 3) = Q( 2, 3). Find an irreducible polynomial of 2 + 3

over Q.
p

(6) Determine the degree [Q( 3 + 2 2) : Q].

(7) Prove that if [F () : F ] is odd then F () = F (2 ).
(8) Let K/F be an algebraic field extension and R be a ring such that F R K.
Show that R is a field.
(9) Let K/F be an extension of degree n.
(a) For any a K, prove that the map a : K K defined by a (x) = ax for
all x K, is a linear transformation of the F -vector space K. Show that K is
isomorphic to a subfield of the ring F nn of n n matrices with entries in F.
(b) Prove that a is a root of the characteristic polynomial of a . Use this procedure

to find monic polynomials satisfied by 3 2 and 1 + 3 2 + 3 4.

(10) Let K = Q( d) for some squarefree integer d. Let = a + b d K. Use the basis

B = {1, d} of K over F and find the matrix MBB ( ) of : K K with respect

to B. Prove directly that the map a + b d 7 MBB ( ), is an isomorphism of fields.

(11) Prove that 1 is not a sum of squares in the field Q() where = 3 2 e2i/3 .
(12) Let f (x) = a0 xn + a1 xn1 + + an1 x + an Z[x]. Suppose that f (0) and f (1)
are odd integers. Show that f (x) has no integer roots.
(13) Let R be an integral domain containing C. Suppose that R is a finite dimensional
C-vector space. Show that R = C.
(14) Let k be a field and x be an indeterminate. Let y = x3 /(x + 1). Find the minimal
polynomial of x over k(y).
(15) Find an algebraic extension K of Q(x) such that the polynomial f (y) = y 2 x3 /(x2 +
1) Q(x)[y] has a root in K.

2. Ruler and compass constructions

(16) The construction of a regular 7-gon amounts to the construction of the real number
= cos(2/7). Show that is a root of f (x) = x3 + x2 2x 1. Hence conclude
that a regular 7-gon is not constructible by ruler and compass.
(17) Show that = 2 cos(2/5) satisfies the equation x2 + x 1 = 0. Conclude that a
regular 5-gon is constructible by ruler and compass. Describe a ruler and compass
construction of the regular pentagon.
(18) Show that it is impossible to construct a regular 9-gon by ruler and compass.
(19) Show that an angle of n degrees, n N, is constructible if and only if 3 | n.
(20) Prove that it is impossible, in general, to quintsect an arbitrary angle by ruler an
compass. Is it possible to divide the angle 60 degrees into five equal parts by ruler
and compass ?
(21) Without using Gausss theorem show that if m and n are coprime natural numbers
and regular m-gon and n-gon are constructible, then we can construct a regular
mn-gon by ruler and compass.
(22) Let p/q be a rational number written in lowest terms. Show that for an angle of
p/q degrees to be constructible, it is necessary and sufficient that 3 divides p and
q = 2k p1 p2 . . . pt where p1 , p2 , . . . , pt are distinct Fermat primes other than 3 or 5.

3. Symmetric functions
(23) Write the symmetric polynomials f (x, y, z) = x2 y 2 + y 2 z 2 + z 2 x2 and g(x, y, z) =
x3 y + xy 3 + x3 z + xz 3 + y 3 z + yz 3 in terms of elementary symmetric polynomials.
(24) Show that
(a) disc(x3 + px + q) = (4p3 + 27q 2 ).
(b) disc(x4 + px2 + r) = 16r(p2 4r)2 .
(c) disc(x4 + qx + r) = 27q 4 + 256r3 .
(25) Find the sum of 7th powers of the roots of x3 + px + q.
(26) Let g(x) = x3 + px + q where q 6= 0. Determine the monic polynomial whose roots
are inverses of the squares of the roots of g(x).
(27) Let dis(f (x)) denote the discriminant of f (x).
n
(a) Show that dis(xn 1) = (1)( 2 )+n1 nn .
(b) Let g(x) and h(x) be monic polynomials and g(x) = (x a)h(x). Show that
dis(g(x)) = h(a)2 dis(h(x)).
(c) Show that dis(xn1 + xn2 + . . . + 1) = (1)(n1)(n+2)/2 nn2 .
(28) Show that a polynomial f S := R[x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ] where R is a commutative ring is
fixed under all the automorphisms of S induced by even permutations in Sn if and
Q
only if f = g + h where g and h are symmetric polynomials and = ij (xi xj ).

4. Splitting fields of polynomials

(29) Let F be a field and let K be a splitting field of a polynomial f (x) F [x]. Show
that [K : F ] n!.
(30) Find degrees of splitting fields over Q of each of the following polynomials: (a) x3 2
(b) x4 1 (c) x4 + 1 (d) x6 + 1 (e) (x2 + 1)(x3 1) and (f) x6 + x3 + 1.

(31) Find a splitting field K of x3 10 over Q( 2). Find [K : Q].

(32) Let p be a prime number. Show that the degree of a splitting field of xp 2 over Q
is p(p 1).
(33) Let f (x) Q[x] be a cubic polynomial and K be a splitting field of f (x) over Q.
Show that [K : Q] is either 1, 2, 3 or 6. Provide examples in each case.
(34) Let Fq denote a finite field with q elements. Show that for a prime number p, the
n
finite field Fpn is a splitting field over Fp of the polynomial f (x) = xp x. [ Hint:
Show that Fpn is precisely the set of roots of f (x).]
(35) Let K C be a splitting field of f (x) = x3 2 over Q. Find a complex number z
such that K = Q(z).
(36) Let F be a field of characteristic p. Let f (x) = xp x c F [x]. Show that either
all roots of f (x) lie in F or f (x) is irreducible in F [x]. [Hint show that if a is a root
of f (x) then so is a + 1.]
(37) Let F be a field of characteristic zero and let p be an odd prime. Let a F such
that a is not a pth power of any element in F. Show that f (x) = xp a is irreducible
in F [x]. What can you say about the degree of a splitting field of f (x) over F ?
(38) Let E be a splitting field over a field F of f (x). Let K be a subfield of the field
extension E/F. Let : K E be a monomorphism such that (a) = a for all
a F. Such a map is called an F -embedding of K into E. Show that can be
extended to an automorphism of E.

5. Multiple roots

(39)

(40)
(41)
(42)
(43)
(44)

Notation: Throughout these exercises, F K L is a tower of fields. Assume

that char F = p > 0 in the problems p-10.
Let char F = 0 and f (x) F [x] be a monic polynomial of positive degree. Let
d(x) = (f (x), f 0 (x)). Show that g(x) = f (x)/d(x) has same roots as f (x) and g(x)
is separable.
Let a L be separable over F. Show that a is separable over K.
Show that an algebraic extension of a perfect field is perfect.
n
Let f (x) = xp a F [x] where n is a positive integer. Show that f (x) is irreducible
over F if and only if a
/ F p.
Let ( [K : F ], p ) = 1. Show that K is a separable algebraic extension of F.
pi is the largest perfect subfield of F.
Show that
i=0 F

(45) Let f (x) F [x] be irreducible. Show that there exists an irreducible separable
e
polynomial g(x) F [x] and a positive integer e such that f (x) = g(xp ). Show that
all roots of f (x) have same multiplicity pe .
m
(46) A polynomial f (x) F [x] is called a p polynomial if it is of the form xp +
m1
a1 xp
+ + am x. Show that a monic polynomial of positive degree is a ppolynomial if and only if its roots form a finite subgroup of the additive group
of a splitting field of f (x) over F and every root has same multiplicity pe .
(47) Let t be an indeterminate. Show that the field extension F (t)/F (tp ) is not separable.
(48) Let K = Fp (t, w) be the rational function field in two indeterminates t, w over
Fp . Let L be the splitting field over K of the polynomial h(x) = f (x)g(x) where
f (x) = xp t and g(x) = xp w. Prove the following:
(a) f and g are irreducible over K.
(b) [L : K] = p2 .
(c) L/K is not separable.
(d) ap K for all a L.
6. Finite fields
(49) Identify the finite fields Z[i]/(1 + i) and Z[i]/(2 + i).
(50) Let f (x) Z[x] be irreducible of degree m. Let f (x) have a root r Fpn . Show that
2
n
the roots of f (x) are precisely rp , rp , . . . , rp = r.
(51) Find a necessary and sufficient condition on n and m so that Fpn is a subfield of
Fpm .
(52) Show that [Fpn : Fpm ] = n/m if m | n.
(53) Factorize x8 x into irreducible polynomials over F2 .
(54) Let I denote the ideal (X 3 + 2X + 1)F3 [X] and let x denote the residue class X + I
in the field K = F3 [X]/I. Show that x generates the cyclic group K .
(55) Let I denote the ideal (X 3 + 2X + 2)F3 [X] and x denote the residue class X + I in
the field K = F3 [X]/I. Show that x does not generate the cyclic group K . Find a
generator of K .
(56) Prove that the rings F3 [x]/(x2 + x + 2) and F3 [x]/(x2 + 2x + 2) are isomorphic.
Construct an isomorphism.
(57) Draw subfields lattices of the finite fields F318 and F230 .
(58) Let f (x) be a separable polynomial in Fp [x]. Show that there exists an n such that
n
f (x) | xp x.
(59) Show that the order of the Frobenius automorphism : Fpn Fpn is n.
(60) Show that no finite field is algebraically closed.
(61) Show that the field
n=0 Fpn! is an algebraic closure of Fp .
(62) Let K and L be subfields of Fpn having ps and pt elements respectively. How many
elements does the field K L have ?
(63) Define f : K = Fpn K by f (x) = x2 .

(a) Show that f is surjective if p = 2.

(b) Show that the number of elements in f (K) = (pn + 1)/2.
(c) Let and be nonzero elements of K Show that there exist x, y K such that
x2 + y 2 = 1, first for p = 2 and then for p > 2 by counting the number of
elements in the sets {1 + x2 : x K} and {y 2 : y K}.
(64) Show that the product of nonzero elements of a finite field is 1. Deduce Wilsons
theorem: If p is a prime number then p | 1 + (p 1)!.
(65) Show that every element of a finite field K can be written as a sum of two squares
in K.
(66) Let K be a finite field with q elements. Define the zeta function
1 Y
1
Z(t) =
1 t p 1 tdeg p
where p ranges over all monic irreducible polynomials over K. Prove that Z(t) is a
rational function and determine this rational function.
7. Primitive elements

(67) Let = 3 2, = (1 + 3)/2 and = .

(a) Prove that for all c Q, = + c is a root of a sextic of the form x6 + ax3 + b.
(b) Prove that irr( + , Q) is cubic.
(c) Prove that irr( , Q) is sextic.

(68) Let = 3 2, and = e2i/3 . Show that + c is a primitive element of Q(, ) for
all c Q .

(69) Let = e2i/3 . Show that 5 is a primitive element of Q(, 5).

(70) Let F be a subfield of C and a, b C be algebraic elements over F. Show that there
exist an integer n such that a + nb is a primitive element of the field K = F (a, b).
(71) Find infinitely many primitive elements of the field Q(a, ) where a is a root of
x3 x + 1.
(72) Construct infinitely many intermediate subfields of Fp (u, v)/Fp (up , v p ) where u, v
are indeterminates.
(73) Find a primitive element of F24 over F2 .

(74) Find a primitive element of the field extension Q( 2, 3, 5).
(75) Let K/F be a finite separable extension of degree n. Using the primitive element
theorem show that there are exactly n distinct embeddings of K into an algebraic
closure F a of F.
8. Fundamental theorem of Galois theory
(76) Let K be a splitting field of x8 2 over Q. List all elements of G = G(K/Q). Draw a
diagram showing primitive elements of all the 15 subfields of K/Q. Draw the lattice
of all the 15 subgroups of G and match them with the fixed fields.

(77) Determine all the subfields of the splitting field K of x8 2 over Q which are Galois
over Q.
(78) Determine the Galois group of f (x) = (x2 2)(x2 3)(x2 5). Determine all the
subfields of the splitting field of f (x).
(79) Prove that the Galois group of xp 2, where p is a prime, is isomorphic to the group
("
#
)
a b
G=
: a, b Fp and a 6= 0 .
0 1
(80) Let K be a Galois extension of F of degree pn where p is a prime number and n N.
Show that there are intermediate subfields of K/F of degree p and pn1 .
(81) Let f (x) Z[x] be an irreducible quartic with Galois group S4 over Q. Let be a
root of f (x). Show that there is no field properly contained in Q()/Q. Is Q()/Q
a Galois extension ?
(82) Show that if the Galois group of a rational cubic f (x) is cyclic of order 3 then f (x)
has only real roots.
(83) Consider the polynomial f (x) = x4 2x2 2.
(a) Show that the roots of the quartic are
q
q
q
q

1 = 1 + 3, 2 = 1 3, 3 = 1 + 3 and 4 = 1 3.

(b) Prove that K1 = Q(1 ) 6= K2 = Q(2 ) and K1 K2 = Q( 3) = F.

(c) Show that K1 , K2 and K1 K2 are Galois over F
(d) Show that G(K1 K2 /F ) is the Klein 4-group. Determine the automorphisms in
this group.
(e) Show that the Galois group of f (x) over Q is dihedral
of order 8.
p

(84) Show that G(K/Q) is a cyclic group where K = Q( 2 + 2).

(85) Let C(X) denote the rational function field in the indeterminate X over C. Let
a C and a : C(X) C(X) be the automorphism that substitutes X by X + a.
Put G = {a : a C}. Show that C(X)G = C.
(86) Suppose that the Galois group of a field extension K/F is the Klein 4-group V4 .
Show that K/F is biquadratic.
(87) Let f (x) = x4 + bx2 + c Q[x] be irreducible. Show that the Galois group of f (x)
over Q is contained in the dihedral group.
(88) Let E = Q(r) where r is a root of f (x) = x3 + x2 2x 1 in C. Show that
f (r2 2) = 0. Determine G(E/Q).
(89) Let F be a field of characteristic p. Let a F which is not of the form bp b for
any b F. Determine the Galois group over F of a splitting field of xp x a.
(90) Let E = C(t) where t is a transcendental over C. Let = e2i/3 . Define the Cautomorphisms and of E by the equations (t) = t and (t) = 1/t. Show
that
3 = 2 = id and = 1 .

Show that the group G of automorphisms generated by and has order 6 and
E G = C(t3 + t3 ).
(91) Let K be a finite field with pr elements. Let : K K where (a) = ap , for all
a K, be the Frobenius automorphism. Find eigenvectors and eigenvalues of as
an Fp -linear transformation of the Fp -vector space K.
(92) Let x, y be variables. Let a, b, c, d Z and n = |ad bc|. Show that L = C(x, y) is
a Galois extension of K = C(xa y b , xc y d ) of degree n. Find G(L/K).
9. Galois groups of Quartics
(93) Show that the resolvent cubic of x4 + px2 + qx + r is x3 px2 4rx + (4pr q 2 ).
(94) Determine the Galois groups of the quartics: x4 2, x4 + 2, x4 x + 1, x4 + x +
1, x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1, and x4 + 4x2 5.
(95) Show that the resolvent cubic r(x) of f (x) = x4 + 1 is x(x 2)(x + 2) and Gf = V.
(96) Show that the Galois group of an irreducible quartic in Q[x] with exactly two real
roots is either S4 or D4 .
(97) Let be a real root of an irreducible rational quartic whose resolvent cubic is irreducible. Show that is not constructible by ruler and compass. Can we construct
the roots of the quartic x4 + x 5 by ruler and compass ?
(98) Put f (x) = x4 2x2 1. Show that f (x) is irreducible in over Q. and r(x) =
(x + 2)(x2 + 4). Show that Gf = D4 . Find all the intermediate subfields of the
splitting field K of f (x) over Q. Match them with the subgroups of D4 .
(99) Show that the discriminants of a quartic polynomial and its resolvent cubic are
equal.
(100) Substitute x by 1/y to calculate disc(x4 + ax3 + b).
p

(101) Find sufficient conditions on the integers a, b and c so that Q( a + b c) is a Galois

extension of Q with cyclic Galois group of order 4.
10. Cyclotomic extensions
(102)
(103)
(104)
(105)
(106)
(107)

Show that Q[n , m ] = Q[m + n ].

Determine [Q(7 , 3 ) : Q(3 )].
Determine a primitive element of a subfield K of E = Q(13 ) so that [K : Q] = 3.
Put = 7 . Determine the degrees of + 5 and + 5 + 8 over Q.
Put = 11 and = + 3 + 4 + 5 + 9 . Show that [Q() : Q] = 2.
Let be a primitive element modulo p where p is a prime. Thus F
p = (). Let
0
1
2
p2

= p . Using the list { , , , . . . ,

}, show how to find the sum of
powers of which determines a subfield Q() of Q() so that [Q() : Q] = d where
d | (p 1).
(108) Prove that if n = pk m where p is a prime and (p, m) = 1 then there are precisely m
distinct nth roots of unity over a field of characteristic p.

(109) Let K be finite extension of Q. Show that K contains only a finite number of roots
of unity.
(110) Suppose A Cnn and Ak = I. for some
" integer
# k N. Show that A can be
1
diagonalized. Prove that the matrix A =
where K and K is a field
0 1
of chracteristic p satisfies Ap = I and cannot be diagonalized if 6= 0.
P
P
(111) Show that n = d|n (d) and deduce that (n) = d|n (n/d)d.
(112) Show that n (x) = x(n) n (1/x) and deduce that the coefficients of n (x) satisfy
ak = a(n)k for all 0 k (n).
(113) Establish the following formulas:
(a) n (x) = m (xn/m ) where m is the product of distinct prime factors of n.
(b) pn (x) = n (xp )/n (x) where p is coprime to n.
(c) 2n (x) = n (x) where n 1 is an odd integer.
(114) Let , and denote the primitive fifteenth, fifth and cube roots of unity.
(a) Describe all the automorphisms in G := G(Q()/Q).
(b) Show that G is isomorphic to a direct product of two cyclic groups. Construct
this isomorphism.

(c) Show that Q(), Q(), Q( 5) and Q(, 5) are subfields of Q().
(d) Make the Galois correspondence between the subfields of Q() and subgroups
of G explicit.

(115) Show that for every N Z there exists an integer n such that N Q(n ).

11. Solvable Galois extensions

(116) Show that the polynomials f (x) = x5 14x + 7, g(x) = x5 7x2 + 7 and h(x) =
x7 10x5 + 15x + 5 are not solvable by radicals over Q.
(117) Let f (x) Q[x] be an irreducible polynomial of prime degree p. Suppose that f (x)
has exactly two non-real roots. Show that f (x) is not solvable by radicals over Q.
(118) Let K be a subfield of C. Let p(x) = x3 + px + q be an irreducible polynomial
in K[x]. Let r be a root of p(x). Let u = a + br + cr2 K(r) \ K. Determine
g(x) := irr(u, K). Let = 4p3 27q 2 . Show that K(r) is a radical extension of K
if and only if 3 is a square in K.
(119) Let x1 , x2 , x3 be indeterminates and let s1 , s2 , s3 be the elementary symmetric polynomials in these indeterminates. Show that Q(x1 , x2 , x3 ) is not a radical extension
of Q(s1 , s2 , s3 ) but Q(3 )(x1 , x2 , x3 ) is a radical extension of Q(s1 , s2 , s3 ).
(120) Let G be the Galois group of an irreducible quintic over Q. Show that G = A5 or
S5 if G has an element of order 3.
P
i
(121) Find Galois groups of the Taylor polynomials Tn (x) = i=n
i=0 x /i! for n 4.
(122) Is every Galois extension of degree 10 solvable by radicals ?

(123) Let be a primitive 7th root of unity and let = + 1 . Show that f (x) =
irr(, Q) = x3 + x2 2x 1. Solve for the roots of f (x) to express in terms of
radicals over Q.
(124) Show that Sn and An are not solvable groups for n 5 by using the following
line of argument: Let G < Sn be a subgroup containing all the 3-cycles. Let
H < G be a normal subgroup of G such that G/H is abelian. Then show that H
contains all the 3-cycles. Hint: Define the commutator of g and h to be the element
[g, h] = g 1 h1 gh. Then for the natural map : G G/H, ([g, h]) = 1. whence
[g, h] H. Find the commutator [(ikr), (jkv)].
(125) Show: (a) A p-group is solvable. (b) A group of order pq where p and q are distinct
primes is solvable. (c) A group of order pqr where p, q and r are distinct primes is
solvable.
12. Cyclic extensions
(126) Let L be the splitting field of x10 1 over Q in C. Is L a cyclic extension of Q ?

(127) Let K = Q( n a) where a is a positive rational number. Suppose [K : Q] = n and

E is any subfield of K with [E : Q] = d. Prove that E = Q( d a). Hint: Consider

NK/E ( n a).
(128) Let K be as in exercise 127. Prove that if n is odd, then K has no nontrivial
subfields that are Galois over Q and if n is even, then the only nontrivial subfield

of K that is Galois over Q is Q( a).

(129) (Kummer generators for cyclic extensions) Let F be a field so that char(F )
does not divide n and let F have a primitive nth root of unity. Let K be a cyclic

extension of F so that [K : F ] = d | n. Then K = F ( n a =: c) for some nonzero

a F. Let G(K/F ) =< > .
(a) Show that (c) = c for some primitive dth root of unity.
 i

(b) Suppose K = F ( n a) = F ( n b). Show that (c)/c = ( n b)/ n b for some

integer i coprime with d. Conclude that fixes the element c/( n b)i .

(c) Prove that K = F ( n a) = F ( n b) if and only if a = bi en and b = aj f n for some

e, f F.
(130) Show that if E is a finite field and F is a subfield, then NE/F : E F is
surjective.

(131) Let E = Q( m) where m < 0 is an integer. Show that E cannot be embedded in

a cyclic quartic field over Q.
13. Lur
oths theorem and Galois group of F (t)/F
Let t denote an ideterminate in this section.
(132) Show that C(t) is a Galois extension of C(tn + tn ). Find the Galois group of this
extension.

10

(133) Let k be a field with 4 elements and put F = k(t4 + t) and E = k(t). Show that
E/F is a Galois extension. Find the Galois group of E/F and describe primitive
elements of all the subfields of E/F.
(134) Let F be a field and let G := G(F (t)/F ). Show that G is generated by the automorphisms b : t 7 t + b, a : t 7 at (a 6= 0) and : t 7 t1 .
(135) Let k be a finite field with q elements. Let G := G(k(t)/k). Prove the following:
(a) o(G) = q 3 q.
2
2
(b) k(t)G = k(y) where y = (tq t)q+1 /(tq t)q +1 .


(c) Put H1 = {t 7 at + b : a 6= 0, b k}. Then k(t)H1 = k (tq t)q1 .
(d) Let H2 = {t 7 t + b : b k}. Then k(t)H2 = k(tq t).
(136) Let k := F3 . Let G := G(k(t)/k) and F = k(t)G . Prove that G ' S4 by examining
the action of G on lines in the two dimensional k-vector space k 2 .
(137) Let the notation be as in the exercise 136. Prove that there is a unique subfield E of
k(t)/F such that [E : F ] = 2. Find primitive elements of subfields of k(t) containing
E.
(138) Let L = Q(t). Define Q- automorphisms , of L by (t) = t and (t) = 1/t.
Find the fixed field LG of the group generated by and .