Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2022 / ii / Paper 3 / 18H (Galois Theory)

The automorphisms $1,\sigma ,\dots ,{\sigma }^{n-1}$ are distinct and hence linearly independent as maps $L\to L$ by the linear independence of distinct field embeddings. Therefore the operatoris not the zero map. Choose $\beta \in L$ for which $\alpha =T(\beta )\ne 0$. Reindexing the sum and using ${\sigma }^n=1$ givesThis is the Lagrange resolvent eigenvector for a cyclic field automorphism.

Let $F=L^{\sigma }$ be the fixed field. Since $\sigma ({\alpha }^n)={\alpha }^n$, the element $\alpha$ is a root ofIts orbit under $⟨\sigma ⟩$ isand these $n$ elements are distinct because $\alpha \ne 0$ and $\zeta$ is a primitive root of unity. Hence the minimal polynomial has at least $n$ distinct roots. It also divides the displayed degree-$n$ polynomial, so

An algebraic closure of a field $K$ is an algebraically closed field that is an algebraic extension of $K$.

By definition, every element ofis algebraic over $\mathbb{Q}$, and the question allows us to use that this set is a field. It remains to prove that it is algebraically closed.

Let $f\in \overline{\mathbb{Q}}[X]$ be nonconstant. Its finitely many coefficients generate a finite extension $E/\mathbb{Q}$. By the fundamental theorem of algebra, $f$ has a root $z\in \mathbb{C}$. Since $z$ is a root of a polynomial over $E$, it is algebraic over $E$; since $E/\mathbb{Q}$ is algebraic, transitivity of algebraic extensions makes $z$ algebraic over $\mathbb{Q}$. Thus $z\in \overline{\mathbb{Q}}$. Repeating after division by $X-z$ shows that $f$ splits there, so $\overline{\mathbb{Q}}$ is algebraically closed and is an algebraic closure of $\mathbb{Q}$.

Because $\mathrm{char}K=0$, the finite extension $M/K$ is separable. By the primitive element theorem, write $M=K(\theta )$. The minimal polynomial of $\theta$ over $K$ has a root in the algebraically closed field $L$, so sending $\theta$ to that root defines a $K$-field embedding $\iota :M\hookrightarrow L$.

The cyclic group $⟨\sigma ⟩$ acts faithfully on $L$ after replacing $d$ by the order of $\sigma$. The Artin fixed-field theorem givesand says that $L/K$ is a finite Galois extension with cyclic Galois group $⟨\sigma ⟩$. The image $E=\iota (M)$ is an intermediate field. Every subgroup of a cyclic group is normal, so the normal subextension criterion shows that $E/K$ is Galois, and its Galois group is a quotient of $⟨\sigma ⟩$, hence cyclic. Transporting this structure through $\iota$ proves that $M/K$ is Galois with cyclic Galois group. This is the finite extensions of the fixed field of a finite-order automorphism of an algebraically closed field theorem.

Algebraic closedness is necessary. Take $L=\mathbb{Q}$ and $\sigma =\mathrm{id}$, so $K=L^{\sigma }=\mathbb{Q}$, and let $M=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt[3]{2})$. The extension has degree three but is not normal, since the two nonreal roots of $X^3-2$ do not belong to $M$. It is therefore not Galois.