Past exam of the number theory course of the University of Oxford / 2011 / B / 5

The Kummer-Dedekind theorem states the following. If $K=\mathbb{Q}(\theta )$ with $\theta$ integral and $p\nmid [{\mathcal{O}}_K:\mathbb{Z}[\theta ]]$, factor the minimal polynomial modulo $p$ as $\bar{f}={\prod }_i{\bar{g}}_i^{e_i}$ into distinct monic irreducible factors. ThenThe index restriction is essential.

For the proposed ideal relation, reflexivity uses $\alpha =\beta =1$ and symmetry interchanges $\alpha ,\beta$. If $(\alpha )I_1=(\beta )I_2$ and $(\gamma )I_2=(\delta )I_3$, multiplication gives $(\alpha \gamma )I_1=(\beta \delta )I_3$. All multipliers remain nonzero. Thus it is an equivalence relation, namely equality of ideal classes.

Put $s=\sqrt{-2}$. The minimal polynomial is $x^2+2$ and the given full power basis makes every prime eligible for the theorem. Modulo $3$ its roots are $\pm 1$; modulo $5$ and $7$ it is irreducible; modulo $17$ its roots are $\pm 7$. ConsequentlyThe two inert ideals have norms $25$ and $49$; each split factor has norm equal to its rational prime.

For $p_1\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}8)$, quadratic reciprocity and its supplementary laws give $(-2/p_1)=1$. Thus $x^2+2$ has two distinct roots modulo $p_1$, giving distinct prime ideals $P,P^{\prime }$ withThe given principal ideal domain property makes $P=(x+ys)$ for some integers $x,y$. Taking norms, which are positive here, gives $p_1=N(P)=x^2+2y^2$.

Let $\omega =(1+\sqrt{-3})/2$, whose minimal polynomial is $x^2-x+1$. For $p_2\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}3)$, the cyclic group ${\mathbb{F}}_{p_2}^{\times }$ has a nontrivial cube root of unity $t$. Then $-t$ and $-t^2$ are distinct roots of $x^2-x+1$. By the Kummer-Dedekind theorem,Since the given ring of integers is a principal ideal domain, write $Q=(a+b\omega )$. Its norm isMultiplication by $4$ completes the square:Thus $x=2a+b$ and $y=b$ supply the required integers.

Put $s=\sqrt{-5}$ and $P=(2,1+s)$. The polynomial $x^2+5$ reduces to $(x+1{)}^2$ modulo $2$, so the Kummer-Dedekind theorem givesIf $P=(a+bs)$, its norm would imply $a^2+5b^2=2$, impossible for integers $a,b$. Thus $P$ represents the nontrivial ideal class. Since the class number is $2$, every nonprincipal integral ideal $I$ has $[I]=[P]$, and $[IP]=1$. Write $IP=(\gamma )$ with $\gamma \in {\mathcal{O}}_M$; integrality follows from $IP\subseteq {\mathcal{O}}_M$. Multiplying by $P$ givesNorms give $4N(I)=2N(\gamma )$, hence $N(\gamma )=2N(I)$. If $N(I)=p_3\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}20)$, writing $\gamma =a+bs$ yieldscontradicting the list $0,1,4$ of squares modulo $5$. Therefore no nonprincipal ideal has norm $p_3$.

As $p_3\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}4)$ and $p_3\equiv 1(\mathrm{mod}5)$, quadratic reciprocity gives $(-5/p_3)=1$. Thus $x^2+5$ has two distinct roots modulo $p_3$ andThe norm obstruction shows that $R$ must be principal, say $R=(x+ys)$. Taking its norm proves