Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2022/ib/paper-4/9e/a/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2022 ib Paper 4 9E a Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-25
A polynomial over a unique factorization domain is primitive when its coefficients have no common nonunit factor. If a prime divided every coefficient of a product of two primitive polynomials, reduction modulo that prime would turn the product of two nonzero polynomials over an integral domain into zero, impossible. This proves Gauss lemma for polynomials.
If positive-degree became non-coprime in , they would share a positive-degree primitive factor after clearing content. Gauss's lemma then makes that factor divide both in , contrary to coprimality. Hence they remain coprime over the fraction field.
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