Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

Subject: Algebra IV
Semester V
Lesson: Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields
Lesson Developer: Atul Gaur
College/Department: Department of Mathematics,
University of Delhi.

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

Contents
Lesson: Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields ................................. 1
1. Extension Fields ......................................................................................................... 3
2. Splitting Fields ............................................................................................................ 5
3. Multiple Zeros of an irreducible Polynomial .................................................. 13
4. Perfect Fields ............................................................................................................. 15
Exercises ................................................................................................................................ 17
References ................................................................................................................................ 18

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

Recall that a field is a non-zero commutative ring in which every non-zero element
admits its multiplicative inverse. The most natural examples of field are the field of rational
numbers Q , field of real numbers R and the field of complex numbers C . In this chapter we
will study the roots of a polynomial over a given field, existence of splitting fields and the
perfect fields.

1. Extension Fields
We begin this section with the following definition.

Definition 1.1 Let F be a field. A field K is said to be an extension field of F if

F is a subfield of K , that is, if F K .

Example 1.2
1. R is an extension of Q .
2. C is an extension of R .
3. C is an extension of Q .
Consider a polynomial f ( x) = x 2 + 1 over Q . We know that there is no rational
number Q such that f ( ) = 0 . However, f (x) has a zero, viz. `i` in C .
Now given any non-constant polynomial f (x) over a field F , the natural question is,
is there an extension of F containing a root of f (x) ? The answer is given by fundamental
theorem of field theory and is also known as Kroneckers theorem, which is our next result.

Theorem 1.3 Let F be a field and let

f (x) be a non-constant polynomial in F [x].
Then there is an extension field E of F containing a zero of f (x ).

Proof. As F is a field, F [x] is a unique factorization domain and as f (x) is a

non-constant polynomial, it is a non-zero non-unit.
Hence f (x) can be uniquely expressed as a product of irreducible polynomials in F [x] .
Suppose that p (x ) is an irreducible factor of f (x) .
Since the zeros of p (x ) are the zeros of f (x) , it is enough to show the existence of an
extension of F containing a zero of p (x).
F [ x]
As p (x ) is irreducible, the ideal < p ( x) > is a maximal ideal in F [x]. Therefore
< p( x) >
is a field. Let
F [ x]
:F
< p( x) >
Be the natural map given by
(a) = a + < p ( x) > for all a F .
Then
(a + b) = (a + b)+ < p( x) >,

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

= a + < p ( x) > +b + < p ( x) >,

= (a ) + (b), for all a, b F .
Also
(ab) = ab+ < p ( x) >,
= (a + < p( x) >)(b+ < p( x) >),
= (a ) (b), for all a, b F .
Thus is a field homomorphism. Clearly, is a non-zero field homomorphism. As every
non-zero field homomorphism is one one, we conclude that is one one.
F [ x] F [ x]
Therefore, contains an isomorphic copy of F , that is, F , upto
< p( x) > < p( x) >
isomorphism.
F [ x]
We assert that has a zero x+ < p ( x) > of p (x ) .
< p( x) >

n
If p ( x) = a x i , then
i =0 i
n
p ( x + < p ( x) >) = ai ( x + < p ( x) >)i ,
i =0
n
= ai x i + < p ( x) >,
i =0

=< p ( x) >,
F [ x]
a zero element in .
< p( x) >
F [ x]
Therefore x+ < p( x) > is a root of p (x) in .
< p( x) >

Example 1.4 Consider f ( x) = x 2 + 1 Q[ x]. Since there is no rational number

Q satisfying f ( ) = 0 , and deg ( f ( x)) = 2 , f (x) is irreducible over Q .
Q[ x]
Therefore, < x + 1 >
2
is a maximal ideal in Q , and hence is a field.
< x2 + 1 >
Also
f ( x + < x 2 + 1 >) = ( x + < x 2 + 1 >) 2 + 1,
= x 2 + < x 2 + 1 > +1,
= x 2 + 1+ < x 2 + 1 >,
=< x 2 + 1 > .
Q[ x]
Therefore x + < x 2 + 1 > is a zero of x 2 + 1 in .
< x2 +1 >

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

Note: The result of the last theorem may not hold if we replace the field F by a
commutative ring with unity. However as every integral domain can be embedded in a field,
F can be replaced by an integral domain safely.

Example 1.5 Consider f ( x) = 3 x + 1 Z 6 [ x]. Then there is no ring having Z 6 as a

subring and containing a zero of f (x) .
For if is a zero in such a ring then 3 + 1 = 0 implies that 2(3 + 1) = 0 , that is, 2 = 0 , a
contradiction.

2. Splitting Fields

In the last section, we have seen that given any polynomial f (x) over a field F ,
there exists an extension E of F containing a root of f (x) . We now extend the same
question further; given a polynomial f (x) over a field F , does there exists an extension E
of F containing all the roots of f (x) ? The answer is yes. We will elaborate the same in this
section.

Definition 1.6 Let f (x) be any polynomial over a field F . An extension E of F

is said to be a splitting field of f (x) over F if f (x) splits completely into the product of
linear factors over E but not in any proper subfield of E containing F
or equivalently,
a splitting field of f (x) over F is the smallest extension of F containing all the
zeros of f (x) .

It is clear from the above definition that a splitting field depends not only on the
polynomial but also on the field F . The next example also elaborates the same.

Definition 1.7 Let E be an extension of F and let 1 , 2 ,, n E . The smallest

subfield of E containing F and 1 , 2 , , n is denoted by F (1 ,, n ) .

Clearly, F (1 , , n ) is the intersection of all the subfields of E containing F and 1 ,, n .

For suppose, F is the family of all the subfields of E containing F and 1 , 2 , , n
and L = KF K .
Then L F (1 , , n ) , as F (1 , , n ) F .
Also F (1 , , n ) L , by definition of F (1 , , n ) and L is a subfield of E containing
F and 1 , 2 , , n .
Therefore L = F (1 , , n ) .

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

Example 1.8 Consider f ( x) = x 3 2 Q[ x].

1+ i 3
The zeros of f (x) are 21/3 ,21/3 ,21/3 2 where =
is the cube root of unity.
2
Since extension of Q containing all the zeros of f (x) must contain 2 and and
1/3

Q(21/3 , ) is the least extension of Q containing 21/3 and ,

we conclude that Q(21/3 , ) is a splitting field of f (x) over Q .

Now consider f ( x) = x 3 2 R[ x] .
To get a splitting field of f (x) over R , it is enough to adjoin to R as 2
1/3
R .
Also, as 3 R
R( ) = R(i ) = C, .
Therefore, C is a splitting field of f (x) over R.

Example 1.9 Let f ( x) = x 4 + x 2 + 1 Q[ x] . Then

f ( x) = x 4 + x 2 + 1,
= ( x 2 + 1) 2 x 2 ,
= ( x 2 + x + 1)( x 2 x + 1).
Now if is a zero ofx 2 + x + 1 , then will be a zero of x 2 x + 1 .
Therefore a splitting field of x + x + 1 over Q will be a splitting field of f (x) over Q and
2

vice-versa also.
1 + i 3
Now the zeros of x 2 + x + 1 are and 2 , where = .
2
Thus Q( ) is a splitting field of x + x + 1 over Q and hence Q( ) is a splitting field of
2

f (x) over Q .

Now consider f ( x) = x 4 + x 2 + 1 R[ x] . Then as dicussed above

R( ) = R(i ) = C, as 3 R .
Therefore, C is a splitting field of f (x) over R .

Example 1.10 Consider the the extension Q( 2 , 3 ) of Q .

Then 2 + 3 Q( 2 , 3 ) . Therefore,
Q( 2 + 3 ) Q( 2 , 3 ).
Also
1 = ( 3 + 2 )( 3 2 ), that is,

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

1
3 2 = Q( 2 + 3 ).
( 3 + 2)

This gives
( 3 + 2 ) ( 3 2 ) = 2 2 Q( 2 + 3 ),
and hence 2 Q( 2 + 3 ) .
Similarly
( 3 + 2 ) + ( 3 2 ) = 2 3 Q( 2 + 3 ),
and hence 3 Q( 2 + 3 ) .
This implies that
Q( 2 , 3 ) Q( 2 + 3 ).
Therefore,
Q( 2 , 3 ) = Q( 2 + 3 ).

Theorem 1.11 Let f (x) be a non-constant polynomial over a field F . Then there
exists a splitting field off (x) over F .
Proof. Apply induction on deg ( f ( x )) .
If deg ( f ( x) = 1 then F will be a splitting field of f (x) over F .
Assume that the result holds for all fields and for all polynomials having degree strictly less
than deg ( f ( x)) .
Now by Theorem 1.3, there is an extension E of F in which f (x) has a zero, say .
Let F ( ) = F be the subfield of E generated by F and . Then
f ( x) = ( x ) g ( x), where g ( x) F [ x]
and
deg ( g ( x)) < deg ( f ( x)).
Now by induction, there exists a splitting field E of g (x ) over F .
Clearly, E contains and all the roots of g (x ) , which are precisely all the roots of f (x) .
Since E is generated by and all the roots of g (x ) over F , we conclude that E is a
splitting field of f (x) over F .

Remark 1.12 Let F be a field and let f ( x) F [ x] splits completely in a field E .

Let 1 , , n be all the zeros of f (x) in E . Then F (1 , , n ) is the least extension of F
containing 1 , , n and hence F (1 , , n ) is a splitting field of f (x) over F .

Example 1.13 Consider ( )( )

f ( x) = x 2 2 x 2 3 Q[ x] .
Then roots of f (x) are 2 , 3.

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Therefore Q( 2 , 3 ) = Q( 2 + 3 ), by Example 1.10, is a splitting field of f (x) over Q .

Example 1.14 Consider f ( x) = x 4 + 4 Q[ x].

Now x 4 + 4 = ( x 2 + 4 x 2 + 4) 4 x 2 = ( x 2 + 2 x + 2)( x 2 2 x + 2) .
Therefore, all four roots of f (x) are 1 , and hence Q(i) is a splitting field of
f (x) over Q .

Example 1.15 Consider f ( x) = x 2 + x + 1 Z 2 [ x]. Then f (x) is irreducible over

Z 2 for being a second degree polynomial having no zero in Z 2 .
Z 2 [ x]
is an extension of Z 2 having a zero x + < x + x + 1 > of
2
Thus by Theorem 1.3,
< x + x +1 >
2

f (x) .
Z 2 [ x]
As f (x) is a second degree polynomial having a zero in ,
< x + x +1 > 2

Z 2 [ x] Z 2 [ x]
so will contain both the zeros of f (x) and hence is a splitting
< x + x +1 >
2
< x + x +1 >
2

field of f (x) over Z 2 .

If we denote x + < x 2 + x + 1 > by , where 2 = + 1 , then

Z 2 [ x] _ _ _ _ _
= 0,1, x,1+ x Z 2 [ ] = {0,1, ,1 + }.
< x2 + x + 1 >

Theorem 1.16 Let p (x) be an irreducible polynomial over a field F , and let be
a zero of p (x) in some extension E of F . Then
F [ x]
F ( ) = F [ ]
< p( x) >
and if deg ( p( x)) = n , then {1, , , n 1} forms a basis of F ( ) as a vector space over F .

Proof. Consider
F [ ] = { f ( ) | f ( x) F [ x]}.
Then F [ ] is a subring of E . Define a ring homomorphism
: F [ x] F [ ],
given by
( f ( x)) = f ( ), for all f ( x) F [ x].
Then is an onto ring homomorphism, as for any g ( ) F [ ] , we have g ( x) F [ x ] such
that ( g ( x)) = g ( ) .
Clearly < p ( x) > Ker ( ) as is a zero of p (x ) .

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As p (x) is given to be an irreducible polynomial, < p ( x) > is a maximal ideal in F [x] .

Therefore Ker ( ) =< p ( x) > as Ker ( ) is an ideal containing a maximal ideal < p ( x) > .
Now by First Fundamental Theorem of ring homomorphism
F [ x]
( F [ x]) = F [ ].
< p( x) >
Note that ( a ) = a , for all a F and (x ) = . Therefore
F ( F [ x]) and ( F [ x]).
F [ x]
As is a field, we conclude that ( F [ x]) = F [ ] is a field. As F ( ) is the smallest
< p( x) >
subfield of E containing F and , and ( F [ x]) = F [ ] also contains F and , we
conclude that F ( ) = F [ ] .
Now assume that p ( x) = a0 + a1 x + + an x n , an =/ 0 . Then
0 = p ( ) = a0 + a1 + + an n .
This gives
n = b0 + b1 + + bn 1 n 1 , (1)

where bi = an1ai , for i = 1,2, n 1 .

First we assert that
F [ ] = LF (1, , , n 1 ),
where LF (1, , , n 1 ) is the linear span of 1, , , n 1 over F .
Clearly LF (1, , , n 1 ) F [ ] .
For the reverse inclusion enough to show that n +i LF (1, , , n 1 ) , for all non-negative
integers i .
By Equation (1), we have n LF (1, , , n 1 ) .
Now
n +1 = n
= (b0 + b1 + + bn 1 n 1 ), by Equation 1
= b0 + b1 2 + + bn 1 n
= b0 + b1 2 + + bn 1 (b0 + b1 + + bn 1 n 1 ), by Equation (1)
= bn 1b0 + (b0 + bn 1b1 ) + + (bn 2 + bn21 ) n 1 LF (1, , , n 1 ).
Similarly, we can show that n + 2 LF (1, ,, n 1 ) , and so on.
Therefore F [ ] = LF (1, , , n 1 ) .
Now, to show that {1, , , n 1} is linearly independent over F ,

c = 0 , for some
n 1
suppose
i =0 i
i
c0 , c1 , , cn 1 F .

f ( x) = c x F [ x] .
n 1
Let i
i =0 i

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Note here that deg ( f ( x)) n 1 .

Then ( f ( x)) = f ( ) = 0 and hence f ( x) Ker ( ) =< ( p( x)) > .
This gives p (x ) divides f (x) .
For this to be true, f (x ) = 0 as deg ( p ( x )) = n < deg ( f ( x )) n 1 .
Now f (x ) = 0 implies ci = 0 for all i = 1,2, , n 1 .

Therefore {1, , , n 1} are linearly independent over F .

Hence {1, , , n 1} forms a basis of F ( ) as a vector space over F .

Corollary 1.17 Let , be the roots of an irreducible polynomial p (x) over a field
F , in some extension E , E respectively. Then F ( ) F ( ) .

Proof. By Theorem 1.16, we have

F [ x]
F ( ) F ( ).
< p( x) >

Example 1.18 Consider for x 3 2 Q[ x] . Then f (x) is irreducible by Eisensteins

criterian. Therefore by Theorem 1.16, {1,21/3 ,2 2/3 } is a basis of Q(21/3 ) over Q , that is,
Q(21/3 ) = {a + b 21/3 + c 2 2/3 | a, b, c Q} .
Q[ x]
If we consider f ( x) = x 2 2 over Q , then and Q( 2 ) are clearly the
< x2 2 >
splitting fields of f (x ) over Q . But by Theorem 1.16, these two splitting fields of f (x ) are
isomorphic, that is, they are same algebraically. Now the natural question is are the two
splitting fields of the same polynomial over a field are algebraically same or not. The answer is
yes. We will establish this more generally.

Lemma 1.19 Let : F F be field isomorphism. Then induces a ring

isomorphism : F [ x] F [ x] given by (iai x i ) = i (ai ) x i .

Proof. Left to reader (See exercise 2).

Proposition 1.20 Let F and F be the isomorphic fields under an isomorphism

. Let p (x) be an irreducuble polynomial over F having a zero in some extension of
F . If is a zero of ( p ( x)) in some extension of F then can be extended uniquely to
an isomorphism from F ( ) to F ( ) which takes to .

Proof. Note that by Lemma 1.19, induces a ring isomorphism

: F [ x] F [ x].
We first establish that ( p( x)) is irreducible over F .

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If possible, suppose
( p ( x)) = f ( x) g ( x).
As is onto, there exist f ( x), g ( x) F [ x] such that
f ( x) = ( f ( x)), g ( x) = ( g ( x)).
Therefore
( p( x)) = f ( x) g ( x),
= ( f ( x)) ( g ( x)),
= ( f ( x) g ( x)),
implies that p ( x) = f ( x) g ( x) , as is a ring isomorphism.
As p (x) is irreducible either f (x) or g (x) must be a constant polynomial.
But this implies that either f (x ) or g (x ) is a constant polynomial as does not change
the degree of any polynomial.
Therefore ( p ( x)) is an irreducible polynomial.
Define a map
F [ x] F [ x]
:
< p( x) > < ( p ( x)) >
given by
( f ( x)+ < p( x) >) = ( f ( x))+ < ( p( x)) > .
Then is a field isomorphism (see exercise 3).
Also by Theorem 1.16,

F [ x] F [ x]
F ( ) and F ( ).
< p ( x) > ( p( x)) >
Therefore

F [ x] F [ x]
F ( ) F ( ).
< p ( x) > < ( p ( x)) >
Also
( ) = ( x+ < p ( x) >),
= ( x + < ( p ( x)) >),
= ,
And (a) = (a + < p( x) >,
= ( (a )+ < ( p ( x) >),
= (a ) for all a F ,
that is, extends .
Uniqueness: Assume deg ( p ( x)) = n . Then deg ( ( p ( x)) = n.
Suppose : F ( ) F ( ) is any other field isomorphism extending and takes to .
By Theorem 1.16, {1, , , n 1
} is a basis of F ( ) over F . Any element of F ( ) can be

n 1
uniquely written as a i , where ai F for all i .
i =0 i

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Thus
n 1 n 1
(ai i ) = (ai ) ( i ),
i =0 i =0
n 1
= (ai )( ( ) ) ,
i

i=0
n 1
= (ai ) i ,
i =0
n 1
= (ai )( ( ) ) ,
i

i=0

= (ai i ).
i =0

This gives .

Theorem 1.21 Let F and F be isomorphic fields via an isomorphism and let
f ( x) F [ x] . If E is a splitting field of f (x) over F and E is a splitting field of ( f ( x))
over F then can be extended to an isomorphism between E and E .

Proof. Apply induction on deg ( f ( x)) . If deg ( f ( x)) = 1 , then f (x) is a linear
polynomial and hence E = F , E = F .
Thus is the required map.
Assume the result holds for all polynomials of degree strictly less than deg ( f ( x)) , and
deg ( f ( x)) > 1.
Let p (x ) be an irreducible factor of f (x ) .
Let be a root of p (x ) in E and be a root of ( p ( x)) in E , where : F [ x] F [ x]
is the isomorphism as defined in Lemma 1.19 .
By Proposition 1.20, there exist an isomorphism
: F ( ) F ( )
extending and takes to . As f ( x), x F ( )[ x] ,
f ( x) = ( x ) g ( x) for some g ( x) F ( )[ x].
This gives
( f ( x)) = ( x ) ( g ( x)),
where ( g ( x)) F ( )[ x] .
Note that E is a splitting field of g (x) over F ( ) and E is a splitting field of ( g ( x))
over F ( ).
Since deg ( g ( x)) < deg ( f ( x)) , there is a field isomorphism : E E extending .

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

() ()

Figure 1

F ( )
= and F
= implies F
= .

Corollary 1.22 Let E , E ' be any two splitting fields of f (x) over a field F . Then
E E '.

Proof. Follows immediately from Theorem 1.21, by putting to be the identity map.

3. Multiple Zeros of an irreducible Polynomial

We begin this section with the following definition of derivative of a polynomial f (x)
over a discrete field F .

Definition 1.23 Let

f ( x) = a0 + a1 x + + an x n
be a polynomial in F [x] , where F is a field. The derivative f (x) of f (x) is defined to be
the polynomial
a1 + 2a2 x + + nan x n 1 F [ x].
It may be noted that this definition of derivative does not involve the notion of limit.

Lemma 1.24 Let p(x) and h( x) F [ x] and let F . Then

1. ( p ( x ) + h( x )) = p ' ( x ) + h' ( x ).
2. (p ( x)) = p ' ( x).
3. ( p ( x) h( x)) = p ( x) h' ( x) + p ' ( x) h( x).

Proof. Left to reader (See Exercise 4).

The next theorem characterizes when a polynomial has a zero of multiplicity greater

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than one, that is, when a polynomial have multiple zeros.

Theorem 1.25 Let f (x) be a polynomial over a field F . Then f (x) has a multiple
root in some extension E of F if and only if greatest common divisor of f (x ) and f (x ) is
of degree atleast one in F [x ] .
Proof. First suppose that is a multiple zero of f (x ) in some extension E of F .
Then
f ( x) = ( x ) k g ( x),
where k > 1 is the multiplicity of . This gives
f ( x) = ( x ) k g ( x) + k ( x ) k 1 g ( x).
As k 1 1 , x is a factor of f (x) and f (x ) in E[x] .
Now, if f (x ) and f (x) have no common factor in F [x ] of degree atleast one then by
division algorithm or Euclidean algorithm, there exist q ( x ), r ( x ) F [ x] such that
f ( x)q ( x) + f ( x)r ( x) = 1.
Since F [ x ] E[ x ] , the above equation holds in E[x] too.
But this is a contradiction as x is a factor of f (x ) , f (x ) .
Therefore f (x ) and f (x) have a common factor of degree atleast one in F [x ] .
Conversely assume that f (x ) and f (x) have a common factor, say h(x) , of degree
atleast one in F [x ] .
Then by Theorem 1.11, there exists a splitting field, say E , of h(x) over F . Let be any
zero of h(x) in E . As is a zero of f (x ) too,
f ( x) = ( x ) g ( x),
where g ( x ) E[ x ] . Thus
f ( x) = g ( x) + g ( x)( x ).
This gives
0 = f ( ) = g ( ),
that is, is a zero of g (x ) . But this implies that is a multiple zero of f (x).

Theorem 1.26 Let f (x) be an irreducible polynomial over a field F . Then

1. f (x) has no multiple zero, if characteristic of F is 0.
2. f ( x) = g ( x p ) , for some g ( x) F [ x] , if characteristic of F is p , where p is
a prime number and f (x ) has a multiple zero.
Proof. First suppose that characteristic of F is 0 .
Note that an irreducible polynomial either divides a polynomial or relatively prime to that
polynomial.
Since f (x ) is irreducible over F and deg ( f ( x)) < deg ( f ( x)) , we have f (x ) and f (x)
are relatively prime in F [x] .

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In particular, f (x) and f (x) cannot have any common divisor in F [x] of degree atleast
one.
Therefore by Theorem 1.25, f (x) has no mulptiple zeros.
Now assume that f (x) has multiple zeros and characteristic of F is p , where p is a
prime number.

a x i . Then f ( x) = i =1iai x i 1 F [ x].

n n
Let f ( x) =
i =0 i

By Theorem 1.25, f (x) and f (x) have a common factor of degree atleast one in F [x] .
As f (x ) is irreducible, the only factors of positive degree of f (x ) in F [x ] is f (x ) itself.
This gives f (x ) divides f (x ) .
As deg ( f ( x )) < deg ( f ( x )) , we conclude that f (x ) = 0 .
This implies that iai = 0 for all i = 1, , n.
As characteristic of F is p , we conclude that either ai = 0 or p divides i for all
i = 1, , n.
This implies that for all nonzero nonconstant coefficient ai in f (x) , p divides i .
Therefore f ( x) = g ( x p ) , for some g ( x) F [ x].

4. Perfect Fields

We begin this section with the following definition of perfect fields.

Definition 1.27 A field F is said to be perfect if either characteristic of F is zero

or if characteristic of F is p , where p is a prime number and F p = {a p | a F } = F .

Clearly, Q, R, C are the perfect fields for being all are of characteristic zero fields. The
finite field Z p , with p elements, where p is a prime number is also a perfect field, as we
have the following theorem.

Theorem 1.28 Every finite field is perfect.

Proof. Let F be a finite field. Then characteristic of F is p , where p is a prime
number.
Consider a map :F F given by (a) = a p for all a F . Then
( a + b) = ( a + b) ,
p

= p C0 a p b 0 + p C1a p 1b + + p C p 1ab p 1 + p C p a 0b p , by binomial expension,

= a p + b p , as p C1 , , p C p 1 are multiples of p,
= (a ) + (b).
Also (ab) = (ab) p = a pb p , as multiplicative is commutative,
= (a ) (b).

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Note that is one one as if Ker ( ) then ( ) = p = 0.

This gives = 0 .
Therefore is one one field homomorphism on a finite field F to itself and hence is
onto.
Thus F = ( F ) = F p , that is, F is perfect.
Value Addition
1. Every finite field is perfect.
2. Every infinite field of characteristic zero is perfect.
3. Infinite field of nonzero characteristic may not be perfect. Indeed, the field F = Z 2 ( x) is an
infinite field with characteristic 2. But this field is not perfect as shown in Example 1.31.

Theorem 1.29 Let F be a perfect field and let f (x) be an irreducible polynomial
over F . Then f (x) has no multiple zeros.
Proof. If characteristic of F is zero then by Theorem 1.26, f (x ) has no multiple
zeros. We may now assume that characteristic of F is p , where p is a prime number.
Let, if possible, f (x ) has multiple zeroes.

Then, by Theorem 1.26, there exist g ( x) F [ x] such that f ( x) = g ( x p ) .

n
Let g ( x) =
i =0 i
a x i F [ x] .
Since F is perfect, there exist bi F such that ai = bip for all i = 0,1 , n .
Thus
f ( x) = g ( x p ) = a0 + a1 x p + a2 x 2 p + + an x np ,
= b0p + b1p x p + b2p x 2 p + + bnp x np ,
= (b0 + b1 x + b2 x 2 + + bn x n ) p .
But this contradicts that f (x) is irreducible . Therefore f (x) has no multiple zeros.

Theorem 1.30 All the zeros of any irreducible polynomial f (x) over a field F
have same multiplicity.
Proof. Let f (x ) be an irreducible polynomial over F and let E be the splitting field
of f (x) over F .
Let , be any distinct zeros of f (x ) in E , of multiplicity m and n , respectively.

Thus f ( x) = ( x ) m g ( x) = ( x ) n h( x) for some g ( x) F ( )[ x], h( x) F ( )[ x] .

Also by Proposition 1.20, there exists a field isomorphism : F ( ) F ( ) takes to
and is identity map on the elements of F .
Thus
f ( x) = ( f ( x)) = (( x ) m ) ( g ( x)),
= ( x ) m ( g ( x)).
This gives m n . Similarly

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

f ( x) = 1 ( f ( x)) = ( x ) n 1 (h( x))

gives n m . Therefore m = n.
Finally, we give an example of an irreducible polynomial over a field having multiple
zeros.
Example 1.31 Consider the polynomial ring in t over Z 2 , that is, Z 2 [t ] .
Put F = Z 2 (t ) , where Z 2 (t ) is the quotient field of Z 2 [t ] .
Consider f ( x) = x 2 t F [ x].
We assert that f (x ) is irreducible over F .
As deg ( f ( x)) = 2 , enough to show that f (x ) has no zero in F .
g (t )
If possible, suppose is a zero of f (x ) in F . Then
h(t )
2
g (t )
= t , that is, ( g (t )) 2 = t (h(t )) 2 .
h(t )
Since g (t ) , h(t ) Z 2 [t ], ( g (t )) = g (t ), ( h(t )) = h(t ) .
2 2 2 2

Thus g (t 2 ) = t h(t 2 ) , which is a contradiction as deg ( g (t 2 )) is even, whereas deg (t (h(t 2 )))
is odd.
Therefore f (x) is irreducible over F .
Also, f ( x) = 2 x = 0 , which gives f (x ) is a factor of f (x ) and f (x) .
By Theorem 1.25, we conclude that f (x ) has multiple zeros.
Thus, F is not a perfect field.

Exercises

1. Show that every finite extension of a perfect field is perfect.

2. Show that the map defined in Lemma 1.19 is a ring isomorphism.
3. Let , be as defined in Proposition 1.20, and let p (x) be an irreducible
polynomial over F . Show that the map
F [ x] F [ x]
:
< p( x) > < ( p ( x)) >
given by ( f ( x) + < p ( x) >) = ( f ( x))+ < ( p ( x)) > is a field isomorphism.

4. Let f ( x), g ( x) F [ x] and let F . Show that

(a) ( f ( x ) + g ( x )) = f ( x) + g ( x)
(b) ( f ( x )) = f ( x )
(c) ( f ( x) g ( x)) = f ( x) g ( x) + f ( x) g ( x).

5. Let k F E be field extensions such that E is algebraic over F and F

is algebraic over k . Show that E is algebraic over k .

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 Field Extensions, Splitting Field and Perfect Fields

6. Multiple choice questions:

(a) The extension R of Q is

(i ) infinite algebraic (ii ) finite algebraic

extension. extension.
(iii ) infinite but not (iv) finite but not algebraic
algebraic extension. extension.

(b) Let Z p ( ) be an extension of Z p obtained by adjoining to Z p , where is a

root of a degree two irreducible polynomial over Z p . Then

(i ) | Z p ( ) |= p 3 . (ii ) | Z p ( ) |= p 2 .
(iii ) | Z p ( ) |= p 4 . (iv) | Z p ( ) |= p 5 .

(c) Let F E be a field extension. Let E be a root of an irreducible polynomial

f (x) over F of multiplicity two. Then all the roots of f (x) are of multiplicity

(i ) two. (ii ) one.

(iii ) three. (iv) four.

(d) Let , R be such that satisfies a degree 3 irreducible polynomial and

satisfies a degree 4 irreducible polynomial over Q . Then

(i ) Q( ) = Q( ) . (ii ) Q( ) =/ Q( ) but
Q( ) Q( ) .
(iii ) Q( ) / Q( ) . (iv) Q( ) Q( ) .

References
1. Joseph A. Gallian, Contemporary Abstract Algebra (4th Edition), Narosa
Publishing House.
2. David S. Dummit and Richard M. Foote, Abstract Algebra (3rd Edition),
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
3. John B. Fraleigh, A First Course in Abstract Algebra (7th Edition),
Pearson.

Institute of Lifelong Learning, University of Delhi