Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-algebra-and-analysis-ii-for-mathematics-and-philosophy-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2013/3/e/solution

Factorization over gives
For , the factors and are coprime. The nonzero elements and multiply to zero, so the ring is neither an integral domain nor a field. Squaring coordinatewise shows it has no nonzero square-zero element.
For , the polynomial has no rational root and is irreducible of degree two over . The quotient is consequently a field, hence an integral domain, and has no nonzero square-zero element.
For , the class is nonzero by its degree, but . Thus this ring is neither an integral domain nor a field, and does have a nonzero square-zero element.
No two are isomorphic. Being a field separates from the other two; existence of a nonzero square-zero element separates from . Both properties are preserved by ring isomorphisms.

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