Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / iii / Paper 136 / 1 / a / Solution

The strong form of Hensel lemma says the following. Let $v$ be a discrete valuation on a complete field $K$. If $f\in {\mathcal{O}}_K[X]$ andthen $f$ has a root $x\in {\mathcal{O}}_K$ satisfying $v(x-x_0)>v(f^{\prime }(x_0))$.

To prove it, apply Newton iteration over a valued field:The initial inequality says that the first correction has valuation greater than $v(f^{\prime }(x_0))$. Taylor expansion then shows inductively that $v(f^{\prime }(x_n))=v(f^{\prime }(x_0))$, while the valuations of the corrections tend to infinity. Hence $(x_n)$ is a Cauchy sequence. Completeness gives a limit $x$, and continuity gives $f(x)=0$.

Now decompose the multiplicative group asThe P-adic valuation givesand cubing is the identity on $\{\pm 1\}$. Put $U_2=1+9{\mathbb{Z}}_3$. Expansion gives $U_1^3\subseteq U_2$. Conversely, for $u=1+9a\in U_2$, choose $b\equiv a(\mathrm{mod}3)$ and put $x_0=1+3b$. For $f(X)=X^3-u$,so the strong form of Hensel lemma produces a cube root in $U_1$. Thus $U_1^3=U_2$. Finally,is an isomorphism. Combining the valuation and principal-unit factors proves the cube-class group of the 3-adic numbers identity