Topics in Algebra solution

Sung Jong Lee, lovekrand.github.io

December 5, 2020

Problems in Section 5.4.

1. Prove that if α, β are constructible, then so are α ± β, αβ, α/β (when β 6= 0) .

Proof. Suppose given that α and β are constructible. Without lossing of generality, we
shall assume that α, β > 0 and α > β(if necessary). We begin by drawing a circle C1 on
the Euclidean plane with centre O with radius α. Again, draw a circle C2 of radius β with
any point B on C1 as its centre. Then the straight line which joins O and B intersects C2
at two points. Denote the nearest intersection point as P1 and the other one as P2 . Then
the line segment OP1 has the length α − β while the line segment OP2 has the length α + β.
Hence, α ± β is contructible.

F ig.1

Now we claim that αβ is construcitible. WLOG, we assume that β > 1. As in Fig.1, draw
a line joining A and D and mark B on the that line so that AB is a line segment with
length α. Now assume that there is a straight line joining A and C and mark E on the
same line so that AE has length 1. Let F be the line segment of length β. Suppose AD

1
has length x. From the congruence property of triangle 4AEB and 4AF D, we have that

|AE| |AF | 1 β
= = = =⇒ x = αβ.
|AB| |AD| α x
   
Hence αβ is constructible. With similar setting above, assuming AB  = β, AF  =
  α α
α(further assumption that α > 1) and AD = x, we have x = . Thus, is also
β β
constructible.

2. Prove that a line in F has an equation of the form ax + by + c = 0 with a, b, c in F .

Proof. Let A(p, q) and B(r, s) be the points in the plane of F . Let l denote the straight line
passing through A and B. Then by the formula of line joining two points in the Euclidean
plane, assuming r 6= p,
 
y−q x−p s−q s−q
l: = ⇐⇒ y = x+ q−p· .
s−q r−p r−p r−p

If r = p, it is just the line x = p. Hence in either cases, the line is of the form ax+by+c = 0,
where a, b, c ∈ F .

3. Prove that a circle in F has an equation of the form

x2 + y 2 + ax + by + c = 0,

with a, b, c ∈ F .

Proof. Let O(a, b) and r ∈ F denote the centre and radius of a circle in the plane of F
respectively. Then, it has the equation of the form

(x − a)2 + (y − b)2 = r2 ⇐⇒ x2 + y 2 − 2ax − 2by + (a2 + b2 − r2 ) = 0

so that it is the form of x2 + y 2 + ax + by + c = 0, with a, b, c ∈ F .

4. Prove that two lines in F , which intersect in the real plane, intersect at a point in the
plane of F .

Proof. Let l1 : ax + by + c = 0, l2 : px + qy + r = 0 denote two lines in F . Suppose these

two lines intersects. If aq = bp, this implies that l1 and l2 have same slopes and therefore,
l1 = l2 . If aq 6= bp, then the following linear system
         
a b x −c x 1 q −b −c
= ⇐⇒ =
p q y −d y aq − bp −p a −d

2
leaves out with the unique solution such that(i.e., there is only one intersection)

bd − cq cp − ad
x0 = , y0 = .
aq − bp aq − bp
It is clear that both x0 and y0 are in F . Hence, l1 and l2 has an intersection in F provided
that l1 and l2 intersects in the real plane.

5. Prove that a line in F and a circle in F which intersect in the real plane do so at a point
√
either in the plane of F or in the plane of F ( γ) where γ is a positive number in F .

Proof. Let x2 + y 2 + ax + by + c = 0 and px + qy + r = 0 denote the equation of a circle

and a line in the plane of F . Then equating the two equations gives a quadratic equation
of x(or in y). Provided that the circle and line intersect in the real plane, the quadratic
√
equation must yield solutions of the form α ± β γ for some α, β, γ(> 0) ∈ F . Assuming
one of the points of intersection is (x0 , y0 ), we either have that x0 , y0 ∈ F if γ is a square,
√
or x0 , y0 ∈ F ( γ) otherwise.
√
6. If γ ∈ F is positive, prove that γ is realisable as an intersection of lines and circles in
F.

Proof.

F ig.2
 
Observe
  Fig 2. We can construct a line segment
 AB with length 1 + γ where AC  = 1 and
CB  = γ. Further, draw a half circle having AB  as its diameter. Draw a perpendicular
line on C so that it intersects with D(Note that D is obtained as an intersection of a circle
and a line in F ). Now by the congruence of the triangle 4ADC and 4DBC, we have that
CD = √γ.

7. Prove that the following polynomials are irreducible over the field of rational numbers.
a) 8x3 − 6x − 1.

3
Proof. Substitute x − 1 instead of x. Then we have

8(x − 1)3 − 6(x − 1) − 1 = 8x3 − 24x2 + 18x − 3.

Now apply Eisenstein’s criterion for p = 3. Thus we conclude that given polynomial is
irreducible in Q.

b) x3 − 2.

Proof. Apply Eisenstein’s criterion for p = 2.

c) x3 + x2 − 2x − 1.

Proof. Substitute x + 2 instead of x. Then we have

(x + 2)3 + (x + 2)2 − 2(x + 2) − 1 = x3 + 7x2 + 14x + 7.

Now apply Eisenstein’s criterion for p = 7. Thus we conclude that given polynomial is
irreducible in Q.

8. Prove that 2 cos(2π/7) satisfies x3 + x2 − 2x − 1.

2iπ 2iπ
Proof. Using that 2 cos(2π/7) = e 7 + e− 7 ,

(2 cos(2π/7))3 +(2 cos(2π/7))2 − 2(2 cos(2π/7)) − 1

2iπ 2iπ 2iπ 2iπ 2iπ 2iπ
= (e 7 + e− 7 )3 + (e 7 + e− 7 )2 − 2(e 7 + e− 7 )−1
6iπ 2iπ
− 2iπ − 6iπ 4iπ
− 4iπ
= (e 7 + 3e 7 − 3e 7 +e 7 ) + (e 7 +2+e 7 )
2iπ
− 2iπ
− 2(e 7 )−1
+e 7

6π 4π 2π
= 2 cos + 2 cos + 2 cos +1
7 7 7
where
sin π7
 
6π 4π 2π 6π 4π 2π
2 cos +2 cos + 2 cos +1= 2 cos + 2 cos + 2 cos +1
7 7 7 sin π7 7 7 7
     
1 5π 5π 3π 3π π
= sin π − sin + sin − sin + sin − sin +1
sin π7 7 7 7 7 7
= −1 + 1 = 0.

2π
Therefore, 2 cos satisfies x3 + x2 − 2x − 1.
7
9. Prove that the regular pentagon is constructible.

4
 2πi
Proof. It is sufficient to show that ζ = e 5 is a constructible number. We know that ζ is
the standard 5th root of unity, so that ζ 5 = 1 =⇒ ζ 4 + ζ 3 + ζ 2 + ζ + 1 = 0. Now from the
fact that the polynomial x4 + x3 + x2 + x + 1 is irreducible in Q, [Q(ζ) : Q] = 4. Now we
see that ζ lies in the extension field of degree 4 = 22 , and hence, ζ is constructible.

10. Prove that the regular hexagon is constructible.

πi 1
Proof. It is sufficient to show that ζ = e 3 is a constructible number. It is clear that ζ = ,
2
and hence, ζ ∈ Q. It follows that ζ is constructible.

11. Prove that the regular 15-gon is constructible.

2πi πi
Proof. We know that e 5 and e 3 are constructible numbers. Moreover,
2πi
!2
2πi e 5
e 15 = πi
e3
2πi
so that e 15 is also constructible. Therefore, 15-gon is constructible.

12. Prove that it is possible to trisect 72◦ .

2πi 1 2πi
·
Proof. It is sufficient to show that e 5 3 = e 15 is constructible. But we have proved this
fact already in Problem 11.

13. Prove that a regular 9-gon is not constructible.

2πi
Proof. Let ζ = e 9 . From ζ 9 = 1, we know that

ζ6 + ζ3 + 1 = 0

and moreover, f (x) = x6 + x3 + 1 is irreducible in Q. Thus, [Q(ζ) : Q] = 6. But 6 is not a

power of 2. Therefore, regular 9-gon is not constructible.

14. Prove a regular 17-gon is constructible.

2πi
Proof. It is sufficient to show that ζ = e 17 is a constructible number. It follows that
ζ 17 = 1 =⇒ ζ 16 + ζ 15 + · · · + ζ 2 + ζ + 1 = 0. From the fact that the polynomial
x16 + x15 + · · · + x2 + x + 1 is irreducible in Q, [Q(ζ) : Q] = 16. Now we see that ζ lies in
the extension field of degree 16 = 24 , and hence, ζ is constructible.