Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2019 / ib / Paper 2 / 11G / a / Solution

Because $f$ is irreducible, the ideal $(f)$ is maximal in the polynomial ring $k[X]$. Henceis a field extension of $k$. Let $\alpha =X+(f)\in F$. Evaluation in the quotient gives $f(\alpha )=0$, and the factor theorem in $F[X]$ givesfor some $g\in F[X]$. This is the standard adjoining a root of an irreducible polynomial construction.