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An algebraic number $\alpha$ is an algebraic integer if it is a polynomial root of a monic polynomial with integer coefficients:Equivalently, its algebraic minimal polynomial over $\mathbb{Q}$ has integer coefficients. The requirement that the leading coefficient be one matters: $1/2$ satisfies $2X-1=0$ and is an algebraic number, but is not an algebraic integer. In fact the rational numbers that are algebraic integers are exactly the integers.^[ref]

Some useful computed examples are:

Algebraic integers are closed under addition, subtraction, and multiplication. Thus they provide an arithmetic ring, while division is allowed only when the result is again an algebraic integer. The algebraic integer module criterion explains this closure without having to find a new polynomial for every sum and product.

An algebraic number is an algebraic integer when it is a root of a monic polynomial in $\mathbb{Z}[X]$.

If $\alpha$ and $\beta$ are algebraic integers, the ring $\mathbb{Z}[\alpha ,\beta ]$ is a finitely generated $\mathbb{Z}$-module. Multiplication by $\alpha \beta$ preserves this module, so the algebraic integer module criterion shows that $\alpha \beta$ is an algebraic integer.

The ring of integers of a quadratic field givessince $2\equiv 2(\mathrm{mod}4)$. For a direct verification, if $x=a+b\sqrt{2}$ with $a,b\in \mathbb{Q}$ is integral, then its trace $2a$ and norm $a^2-2b^2$ are integers. Writing $2a=m\in \mathbb{Z}$ and reducing the norm condition in lowest terms shows first that $b$ can have denominator at most $2$; a denominator $2$ with odd numerator would require $m^2\equiv 2(\mathrm{mod}4)$, which is impossible. Thus $b\in \mathbb{Z}$, and then the norm condition forces $m$ even, so $a\in \mathbb{Z}$. Conversely, every $a+b\sqrt{2}$ with $a,b\in \mathbb{Z}$ is integral because $\sqrt{2}$ is integral and algebraic integers form a ring.

Now let $f$ have degree $d$ and roots ${\alpha }_1,\dots ,{\alpha }_d$. Sinceand $|{\alpha }_1|>1$, the integer $|a_d|$ cannot be $2$; hence $|a_d|=1$. Thus $f$ is monic up to sign and ${\alpha }_1$ is an algebraic integer.

Let $B$ be the product of all roots with modulus greater than one, counting multiplicity. Complex roots occur in conjugate pairs, so $B$ is real up to the signs of the real roots andAs a product of algebraic integers, $B$ is an algebraic integer; the equality forces $B=\pm 2$. Thereforeis the absolute value of the product of the remaining conjugates, is rational, and is an algebraic integer. It is consequently a nonzero rational integer. Every remaining factor has modulus at most one, so this integer is at most one. It must equal one, and henceThis is the mahler-measure norm argument at measure two.