Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2023/ib/paper-3/10e/a/i/solution

Assume that the primitive polynomial factors in as , with both factors of positive degree. Clearing denominators and removing contents writes
where and are primitive. Then
By Gauss lemma for polynomials, is primitive. Since is also primitive, comparison of contents forces to be a unit of . Absorbing that unit into one factor gives a nontrivial factorization of in , contrary to its assumed irreducibility. Hence is irreducible in .

New to topics? Read the docs here!