For the zero ideal, choose . Otherwise choose a nonzero for which the Euclidean function is minimal; the well-ordering principle guarantees such a choice. For any , perform Euclidean division:Because is an ideal, . A nonzero remainder would contradict the minimal choice of , so and . Thus . Conversely, implies , provingEvery ideal is therefore a principal ideal; in particular, a Euclidean domain is a principal ideal domain.
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