Past exam of the rings and modules course of the University of Oxford 2021 1 b iii Solution 2026-10-25
No such property exists. The ring isomorphism in part (b)(ii) identifies quotient rings by elements having different irreducible element behaviour.
The element is an irreducible element of . It is nonzero and a nonunit. Every nonzero nonunit of has polynomial degree at least : the only possible polynomials of smaller polynomial degree are constant polynomials, and every nonzero constant polynomial is a unit. If with both nonunits, additivity of polynomial degree in the integral domain would givewhich is impossible. Thus one factor must be a unit.
In , however, is a product of two nonunits, so is not an irreducible element. If a ring isomorphism invariant characterized irreducible elements by the indicated quotient ring, the irreducible element would imply that has . Its isomorphic quotient ring would then have , incorrectly making an irreducible element.
Consequently,
Ring isomorphism invariant 2026-10-25
A property of rings is a ring isomorphism invariant when any two rings related by a ring isomorphism either both have the property or both lack it. Being an integral domain is such a property: a ring isomorphism preserves nonzero elements, products, and zero.