CCM326, Galois Theory May 2020 Exam Solutions

√
4
A1. Let K denote the field Q(α), where α = 11.
a) Find the minimal polynomial of α over Q.
Solution: Since α4 = 11, α is a root of X 4 − 11 ∈ Q[X], which is
irreducible by Eisenstein’s Criterion (with p = 11). Therefore the
minimal polynomial of α over Q is X 4 − 11.
b) Describe all the field embeddings τ : K → R.
Solution: Since the real roots of X 4 − 11 are ±α, it follows from
Artin’s Extension Theorem that there are two embeddings τ1 , τ2 :
K → R, given by τ1 (α) = α and τ2 (α) = −α.
c) Describe all the field embeddings τ : K → C.
Solution: The complex roots of X 4 − 11 are ±α and ±iα, so in
addition to the two embeddings defined as in (b), we have τ3 , τ4 :
K → C, given by τ3 (α) = iα and τ4 (α) = −iα.
d) State whether K is Galois over Q; briefly justify your answer.
Solution: It is not Galois over Q since the images of τ3 and τ4 are
not contained in K ⊂ R.
A2. For each of the following polynomials f in Q[X], determine the structure
of the Galois group Gal(Lf /Q), where Lf is a splitting field of f over Q.
a) f (X) = X 3 + 3X 2 + 6X;
Solution: Since f (X) = X(X 2 + 3X + 6), the splitting field of f
over Q is the same as that of X 2 + 3X + 6, which is irreducible, for
example by Eisenstein’s Criterion with p = 3, the Galois group is
isomorphic to Z/2Z.
b) f (X) = X 3 − 3X − 1;
Solution: By results from lecture, the only possible roots are ±1, but
f (−1) = 3 and f (1) = −1. Since f is cubic and has no roots, it must
be irreducible. The discriminant of f is −4(−3)3 − 27(−1)2 = 81,
which is a square in Q, so Gal(Lf /Q) is isomorphic to A3 (or Z/3Z).
c) f (X) = X 3 + 3X 2 + 6X + 3.
Solution: Note that f is irreducible by Eisenstein’s Criterion with
p = 3, and it has the same splitting field as
f (X − 1) = (X − 1)3 + 3(X − 1)2 + 6(X − 1) + 3
= X 3 − 3X 2 + 3X − 1 + 3X 2 − 6X + 3 + 6X − 6 + 3
= X 3 + 3X − 1.

The discriminant of this polynomial is −4(3)3 − 27(−1)2 = −135,

which is not a square in Q, so Gal(Lf /Q) is isomorphic to S3 .
A3. Suppose that K ⊂ L is a field extension, and that f is a monic polynomial
of degree n in K[X].

1
 a) State what it means for f to split completely over L.
Solution: f splits completely over L if

f (X) = (X − α1 )(X − α2 ) · · · (X − αn )

for some α1 , α2 , . . . , αn ∈ L.
b) State what it means for L to be a splitting field of f over K.
Solution: L is a splitting field of f over K if

f (X) = (X − α1 )(X − α2 ) · · · (X − αn )

for some α1 , α2 , . . . , αn ∈ L such that L = K(α1 , α2 , . . . , αn ).

c) State what it means for f to be separable.
Solution: f is separable if it has n distinct roots in a splitting field
over K.

A4. a) State the Fundamental Theorem of Galois Theory for extensions of

finite degree. (You do not need to define what it means for an exten-
sion to be Galois.)
Solution: Let K ⊂ L be a finite Galois extension of fields, and let
G = Gal(L/K). Then
i) The maps E 7→ Gal(L/E) and H 7→ LH define mutually inverse,
inclusion-reversing bijections:
   
intermediate fields E,
←→ subgroups H of G .
K⊂E⊂L

ii) An intermediate field E, K ⊂ E ⊂ L, is Galois over K if and only

if the corresponding subgroup H = Gal(L/E) is normal in G, in
which case the restriction map σ 7→ σ|E induces an isomorphism
of groups
∼
G/H −→ Gal(E/K).
b) Suppose that L is a finite Galois extension of K, f is a monic irre-
ducible polynomial in K[X], and α1 and α2 are elements of L such
that f (α1 ) = f (α2 ) = 0. Prove that if G = Gal(L/K),

H1 = { σ ∈ G | σ(α1 ) = α1 } and H2 = { σ ∈ G | σ(α2 ) = α2 },

then H1 and H2 are conjugate subgroups of G, i.e., that H2 =

τ H1 τ −1 for some τ ∈ G.
Solution: Since f is monic irreducible and f (α1 ) = 0, it must be
the minimal polynomial of α1 . Since α2 is also a root of f , a result
from lecture states that τ (α1 ) = α2 for some τ ∈ G. If σ ∈ H1 , then
σ(α1 ) = α1 , and since τ −1 (α2 ) = α1 , it follows that

(τ στ −1 )(α2 ) = τ (σ(τ −1 (α2 ))) = τ (σ(α1 )) = τ (α1 ) = α2 ,

2
 so τ στ −1 ∈ H2 . This shows that τ H1 τ −1 ⊂ H2 .
On the other hand if σ ∈ H2 , so that σ(α2 ) = α2 , then

(τ −1 στ )(α1 ) = τ −1 (σ(τ (α1 ))) = τ −1 (σ(α2 )) = τ −1 (α2 ) = α1 ,

so τ −1 στ ∈ H1 , and hence σ ∈ τ H1 τ −1 . This shows that H2 ⊂

τ H1 τ −1 , and therefore H2 = τ H1 τ −1 .

A5. Suppose that K = {0, 1, α, β} is a field with 4 elements (where 0 is the

additive identity element of K and 1 is the multiplicative identity element
of K), and that σ is an automorphism of K which is not the identity.
Which element of K is:
a) α + β?
Solution: We have α+β = 1 by process of elimination: If α+β = α,
then β = 0, and similarly α + β = β would imply α = 0. Since K has
characteristic 2, we have α + α = 0, so we also can’t have α + β = 0,
as it would imply α = β.
b) α2020 ?
Solution: Since K × is a group of order 3 and 2020 ≡ 1 mod 3, we
have α2020 = α.
c) σ 326 (α)?
Solution: Since [K : F2 ] = 2 (where F2 is the field {0, 1} with 2
elements), Gal(K/F2 ) has order 2, so σ has order 2 and σ 326 is the
identity. Therefore σ 326 (α) = α.

A6. Suppose that K is a field of characteristic 0.

a) State what it means for a finite extension L to be radical over K, and
for the extension L to be solvable by radicals over K.
Solution: We say that L is radical over K if L = K(α) for some
α ∈ L such that αn ∈ K for some integer n ≥ 1.
We say that L is solvable by radicals over K if there is a chain of
extensions:
K = L0 ⊂ L1 ⊂ L2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Lm
such that L ⊂ Lm , and for each k = 1, . . . , m, Lk is radical over Lk−1
for k = 1, 2, . . . , m.
b) Let α be a root (in C) of the polynomial X 9 + 6X 6 + 3X 3 − 3 ∈ Q[X].
Prove that Q(α) is solvable by radicals over Q.
Solution: Since α9 + 6α6 + 3α3 − 3 = 0, α3 is a root of f = X 3 +
6X 2 + 3X − 3. Letting Lf be the splitting field of f over Q, we know
by results from lecture, that Gal(Lf /Q) is isomorphic to a subgroup
of S3 , which is solvable, so Lf is solvable over Q, and hence solvable
by radicals over Q. We therefore have a chain of extensions:

K = L0 ⊂ L1 ⊂ L2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Lm

3
 where each Lk is radical over Lk−1 and Lf ⊂ Lm . Taking Lm+1 =
Lm (α), we have Q(α) ⊂ Lm+1 and α3 ∈ Lf ⊂ Lm , so Q(α) is solvable
by radicals over Q.
p3
√
B7. Let α = 1 + 3, let L be the subfield of C generated by the roots of
the minimal polynomial of α, and let G = Gal(L/Q).
a) Determine the minimal polynomial of α over Q, and find all of its
roots (in C). √ √
Solution: Since α3 = 1 + 3, we have α3 − 1 = 3, so (α3 − 1)2 =
α6 − 2α3 + 1 = 3. Therefore α is a root of

f = X 6 − 2X 3 − 2,

which is irreducible by Eisenstein’s Criterion with p = 2. Therefore

f is the minimal polynomial of α.
Letting α1 = α, α2 = µα and α3 = µ2 α where µ = e2πi/3 , we have
√
α13 = α23 = α33 = 1 + 3,

so α1 , α2 and α3 are roots of f .

p3
√ √
Letting β = 1 − 3, we have β 3 − 1 = − 3, so (β 3 − 1)2 = 3 and
α4 = β is also a root of f , as are α5 = µβ and α6 = µ2 β.
Note that since α and β are distinct real numbers, and µ and µ2 are
not real, these are six distinct roots, so we have found them all.
√ √
b) Use your answer to part (a) to show that 3, e2πi/3 and 3 2 are all
elements of L. √ √
Solution: We have 3 = α13 − 1 and µ = α2 /α1 , so 3 and µ are
elements of L = Q(α1 , α2 , . . . , α6 ). Furthermore note that
√ √ √
q q
3 3 3
αβ = 1 + 3 · 1 − 3 = − 2,
√
3
so 2 = −α1 α4 ∈ L.
c) Deduce from part (b) that G has a normal subgroup H of index 12
in G. √ √
2
Solution: Since µ√ + µ + 1 = 0, we have µ = √ (−1 + i 3)/2 6∈ Q( 3),
so letting K = Q( 3, µ), we have [K : Q( 3)] = 2, so [K : Q] = 4
(by the Tower Law).
√ √ √
Letting E = K( 3 2), we have Q( 3 2) ⊂ E and [Q( 3 2) : Q] = 3 (since
3
m√ 3
2,Q = X − 2), so [E : Q] is divisible by 3 and by 4 (both by the
3
Tower Law) and hence by 12. Since m √ 3
2,K divides X − 2, we have
[E : K] ≤ 3, so [E : Q] ≤ 12, and it follows that [E : Q] = 12.
Letting H = Gal(L/E), we have H ⊂ G and

[G : H] = [L : Q]/[L : E] = [E : Q] = 12.

4
 Finally since
√ √ √ √ √ √ √
E = Q( 3, µ, 2) = Q( 3, − 3, 2, µ 2, µ2 2)
3 3 3 3

is the splitting field over Q of (X 2 − 3)(X 3 − 2), it is Galois over Q.

Therefore H is normal in G by the Fundamental Theorem of Galois
Theory.
d) Given that the subgroup H in part (c) contains an element other
than the identity, prove that G has order 36.
Solution: We are given that H =√ Gal(L/E) is non-trivial, so E 6= L.
Note also that since β = −α−1 3 2, we have αj ∈ E(α) for j =
1, 2, . . . , 6, so L = E(α) and since µ ∈ E, we also have
√ L = E(µα) =
E(µ2 α). Since E 6= L and the roots of X 3 − (1 + 3) ∈ E[X] are
α1 , α2 , α3 , none of which are in E, the polynomial is irreducible, so
it is the minimal polynomial of α over E. Therefore [L : E] = 3, so
H has order 3 and G has order 36.

B8. Let F3 = Z/3Z, let L denote the splitting field over F3 of the polynomial
f = X 3 − X − 1, and let α be a root of f in L.
a) Show that f is irreducible in F3 [X], and determine the number of
elements in L and the structure of Gal(L/F3 ).
Solution: Since f (0) = f (1) = f (−1) = −1, f has no roots in F3 ,
so being cubic, must be irreducible.
Since every extension of finite fields is Galois, F3 (α) contains all the
roots of f , hence must be a splitting field of f . Therefore L = F3 (α),
and since f is the minimal polynomial of α over F3 , we have [L :
F3 ] = 3, so L has 33 = 27 elements.
Finally since Gal(L/F3 ) has order 3, it is isomorphic to Z/3Z.
b) Describe all the roots of f as powers of α, and use the factorization
of f in L[X] to show that α13 = 1.
Solution: By results from lecture, we have Gal(L/F3 ) = hφi =
{e, φ, φ2 }, where φ(a) = a3 for all a ∈ L. Therefore the roots of f
are α, φ(α) = α3 and φ2 (α) = (α3 )3 = α9 .
It follows that

f (X) = (X − α)(X − α3 )(X − α9 ).

Comparing constant terms, we have −α13 = −1, so α13 = 1.

c) Prove that X 13 − 1 splits completely over L.
Solution: By results from lecture, we also know that L is the split-
ting field of

X 27 − X = X(X 26 − 1) = X(X 13 − 1)(X 13 + 1).

Therefore X 13 − 1 splits completely over L.

5
 d) Prove that the polynomial

X 12 + X 11 + X 10 + X 9 + X 8 + X 7 + X 6 + X 5 + X 4 + X 3 + X 2 + X + 1

factors as a product of four distinct irreducible cubic polynomials in

F3 [X], one of which is f . (You do not need to find the other factors.)
Solution: Denoting the polynomial by g, we have (X−1)g = X 13 −1,
which splits completely over L, and therefore so does g. Note however
that g(0) = g(1) = g(−1) = 1, so g has no roots in F3 .
Let h ∈ F3 [X] be any irreducible factor of g. Then h has a root
β ∈ L, but since g has no roots in F3 (as g(0) = g(1) = g(−1) = 1),
neither does h, so β 6∈ F3 . Therefore applying the Tower Law to F3 ⊂
F3 [β] ⊂ L shows that L = F3 [β], so h = mβ,F3 has degree [L : F3 ] = 3.
Since h has degree 12 and every irreducible factor has degree 3, it
follows that there are exactly four such factors. Furthermore since
X 27 − X is separable and divisible by g, it follows that g is separable,
so g has 12 distinct roots in L, and therefore its irreducible factors
are distinct.
Finally, we have already seen that α is a root of X 13 − 1. Since α
is not a root of X − 1, it follows that α is a root of g, and hence
that g is divisible by f = mα,F3 in F3 [X]. Therefore f is one of the
irreducible factors.
B9. Let K be a field of characteristic 0.
a) State what it means for a finite group to be solvable, and for a finite
extension L to be solvable over K.
Solution: A group G is solvable if there is a chain of subgroups:

{e} = H0 ⊂ H1 ⊂ H2 ⊂ · · · ⊂ Hm = G

such that for each k = 1, . . . , m, Hk−1 is a normal subgroup of Hk ,

and Hk /Hk−1 is a cyclic group.
The extension L is solvable over K if there is a finite extension M of
L such M is Galois over K and Gal(M/K) is a solvable group.
b) Suppose that f is an irreducible polynomial in Q[X], the degree of f
is a prime p, and that f has exactly p − 2 real roots. Prove that if
L is the splitting field of f over Q, then Gal(L/Q) is isomorphic to
the permutation group Sp . (You may assume the following two basic
facts from group theory: 1) if the prime p divides the order of a finite
group G, then G has an element of order p, and 2) the permutation
group Sp is generated by σ and τ for any p-cycle σ and 2-cycle τ .)
Solution: Let α1 , α2 , . . . , αp−2 be the real roots of f , so f factors in
R[X] as
(X − α1 )(X − α2 ) · · · (X − αp−2 )g

6
 where g has degree 2 with no real roots, so g = (X − αp−1 )(X − αp )
where αp−1 = αp (the complex conjugate of αp−1 ) and we can take

L = Q(α1 , α2 , . . . , αp ).

We know that G is isomorphic to a subgroup of Sp , where the iso-

morphism is defined by sending σ to the resulting permutation of
the roots {α1 , α2 , . . . , αp }, or equivalently their indices {1, 2 . . . , p}.
Since Q(α1 ) ⊂ L and f is irreducible, it follows from the Tower Law
that [L : Q] is divisible by [Q(α1 ) : Q] = deg(f ) = p. Therefore the
order of G (= [L : Q]) is divisible by p, so a fact from group theory
asserts that G has an element of order p, and therefore so does its
image in Sp . Since p is prime, the only elements of order p in Sp are
p-cycles, so the image of G contains a p-cycle σ.
Note also that complex conjugation restricts to an embedding τ :
L → C, and τ (L) = L since L is Galois, so σ defines an element of G.
Since α1 , α2 , . . . , αp−2 are real and αp−1 = αp , we have τ (αi ) = αi
for i = 1, 2, . . . , p − 2, τ (αp−1 ) = αp and τ (αp ) = αp−1 . Therefore
the image of τ in G is the 2-cycle (p − 1, p).
We have now shown that the image of G in Sp is a subgroup contain-
ing a p-cycle and a 2-cycle, and must therefore be all of Sp .
c) Let α be a root of 3X 7 − 7X 6 − 7X 3 + 21X 2 − 7. Prove that Q(α)
is not solvable over Q.
Solution: First note that the polynomial f is irreducible by Eisen-
stein’s Criterion with p = 7, and that its degree is prime, also 7.
To determine the number of real roots of f , consider
f0 = 21X 6 − 42X 5 − 21X 2 + 42X = 21X(X 5 − 2X 4 − X + 2)
.
= 21X(X − 2)(X 4 − 1) = 21X(X − 2)(X − 1)(X + 1)(X 2 + 1)

which has exactly 4 real roots, namely −1, 0, 1, 2. Since f (−1) = 11,
f (0) = −7, f (1) = 3, f (2) = −43 and f has odd degree and positive
leading coefficient, it follows that f has exactly one real root in each of
the intervals (−∞, −1), (−1, 0), (0, 1), (1, 2) and (2, ∞). Therefore f
has exactly 5 = p − 2 real roots, and part (b) implies that Gal(Lf /Q)
is isomorphic to S7 .
Since S7 has a subgroup isomorphic to S5 , which is not solvable,
by results from lecture, neither is S7 . Therefore Gal(Lf /Q) is not
solvable, so by results from lecture, Q(α) is not solvable over Q.
d) Give an example of an irreducible polynomial of degree 7 over Q with
a root α such that Q(α) is solvable over Q; justify your answer.
Solution: The polynomial X 7 − 2 is√irreducible by Eisenstein’s Cri-
terion (with p = 2), and it has α = 7 2 is a root. Since α7 = 2 ∈ Q,
the extension is radical, hence solvable by radicals, hence solvable
over Q (by a theorem from lectures).