# Homework Help: Show that f(x) is irreducible over Q and Q(2^(1/5))

1. Jan 31, 2012

### demonelite123

Show that $x^3 + 6x^2 - 12x + 2$ is irreducible in $\mathbb{Q}$ as well as in $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2})$.

the first part i have no trouble with since it follows straight from Eisenstein's Irreducibility Criterion. For the second part i am pretty confused though. i tried looking at the solution to help me understand it but i wasn't sure what the solution did.

They say that $[\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2}): \mathbb{Q}] = 5$ and i understand that since $\sqrt[5]{2}$ is the root of irreducible $x^5 - 2$ so the degree of the field extension is 5. They then said that if $x^3 + 6x^2 - 12x + 2$ was reducible, then it would have a linear factor and then there would be a root in $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2})$. Then since this root has degree 3 and since 3 does not divide 5, then $x^3 + 6x^2 - 12x + 2$ is irreducible in $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2})$.

i do not understand the part about the 3 not dividing the 5. I assume they are using the theorem that says [F:K] = [F:E][E:K] if K is a subfield of E and E is a subfield of F. i suspect that this theorem is being used but i don't know how they are using it exactly. can someone help explain? thanks

2. Jan 31, 2012

### micromass

Indeed, since we can find an $\alpha\in \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2})$ that is a root of $x^3+6x^2-12x+2$, this means that this polynomial is a minimal polynomial of $\alpha$. Thus $[\mathbb{Q}(\alpha),\mathbb{Q}]=3$.

Now we have that

$$[\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2}),\mathbb{Q}]=[\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2}),\mathbb{Q}(\alpha)][\mathbb{Q}(\alpha),\mathbb{Q}]$$

This means that

$$5=[\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[5]{2}),\mathbb{Q}(\alpha)]*3$$

Or 3 divides 5. Which is impossible.

3. Feb 7, 2012

### demonelite123

yes that makes sense. i was initially confused on which field to pick but i understand now why Q(a) was chosen. thank you for your reply.

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