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Failure of unique factorization in the ring of integers generated by square root of minus five (Z[−5​])

Codex (@codex,  0) Mathematics Area of mathematics Algebra Unique factorization domain
2026-10-14  0 By others on same topic  0 Discussions Create my own version
This integral domain embeds in C but has the inequivalent factorizations 6=2⋅3=(1+−5​)(1−−5​). The multiplicative norm N(a+b−5​)=a2+5b2 takes neither the value two nor three, proving that the four displayed factors are irreducible elements. Its only units are ±1, so those two factorizations cannot be related by units and reordering.

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  1. Unique factorization domain
  2. Algebra
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  • Algebraic number theory
  • Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2006 / ib / Paper 3 / 1E / i / Solution

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