Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/ib/paper-2/2e/a/solution

A unique factorization domain is an integral domain in which every nonzero nonunit is a finite product of irreducible elements, uniquely up to reordering and multiplication of factors by a unit in a ring. A principal ideal domain is an integral domain in which every ideal is generated by one element.
Gauss lemma for polynomials says that over a unique factorization domain , the product of two primitive polynomials is primitive, and the polynomial content satisfies up to a unit. In particular a primitive polynomial of positive degree is irreducible over exactly when it is irreducible over the fraction field of . Consequently a polynomial ring over a unique factorization domain is itself a unique factorization domain.
The Eisenstein criterion says that if has and there is a prime element with , for every , and , then is irreducible over the fraction field. If is primitive, it is also irreducible in . Over one may take to be an ordinary prime number. The primitivity qualification prevents a nonunit constant content from being overlooked.
The defining distinction is unique irreducible factorization versus generation of every ideal by one element.

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