18.786: Topics in Algebraic Number Theory (spring 2006)
Take-home final exam, due Thursday, May 18 at the end of lecture
Please submit exactly eight of the following problems. As usual, each numbered item
constitutes a single problem, even if it is broken up into lettered subparts, and each problem
has equal value.
You may consult any resources except a human being other than me (so in particular, you
may not collaborate with others in the class). This includes Janusz, other books, anything
on the Internet, SAGE, other software, notes from class, problem sets, and anything else I
didn’t think of.
Note that I did allow for the possibility of asking me for help. Any response (including
corrections if any are found) will be copied to virtual office hours so everyone receives the
benefit of it.
1. Let P(x) ∈ Z[x] be a monic polynomial whose roots are all real and lie in the interval
�
[−2,2]. Prove that each root of P has the form 2 cos(2πr) for some r ∈ Q.
2 ζ3i
�
2. (a) Put α = i=0 13. Prove that Z[α] is not the ring of integers of Q(α).
4 ζ2i
(b) Put β = i=0 31. Prove that 2 splits completely in Q(β).
(c) Prove that the ring of integers of Q(β) is not monogenic over Z.
3. Let α1, . . . , αn be algebraic numbers such that αi + αi ∈ Z for all positive integers
n1 + ···
i. Prove that α1, . . . , αn are algebraic integers. (Hint: what is the radius of convergence
of the formal power series n
� 1
1 −αj t
j=1
over Qp?)
4. Let K be a number field whose absolute discriminant is squarefree. Prove that K
contains no proper subfield other than Q.
5. (a) Show that the class number of Q(√−11) is 1. (You may not simply take SAGE’s
word for this.)
3
(b) Find all integers x, y such that y2 = x−11.
6. Let K be the maximal totally real subfield of the cyclotomic field Q(ζn). Let a be an
ideal of oK such that aZ[ζn] is principal. Prove that a is already principal.
7. Let P(x) ∈ Z[x] be a monic polynomial of prime degree n which is irreducible modulo
some prime p, and which has exactly two nonreal roots. Prove that the Galois closure
of the extension K = Q[x]/P (x) over Q has Galois group Sn.
1
