Let . If is a separable algebraic element over , its minimal polynomial over divides the original separable minimal polynomial. It also divides , which has only one distinct root in any extension. Being separable with only one distinct root, that minimal polynomial has degree one. Hence and .
Conversely, if the degree- minimal polynomial over is inseparable, part (b) writes it as with . Then , soThe fields cannot be equal. This proves the equivalencethe separability criterion using a pth power.
Since is separable, . But , so . ConsequentlyLet and be the monic minimal polynomials of over and , respectively. Both divide its separable minimal polynomial over , so both are separable. Also in .
Every has . Hence has coefficients in and vanishes at , forcing in . Since remains a square-free polynomial over , this divisibility implies in . Together with , monicity gives . ThereforeThe tower law makes . Part (c) now proves that is separable over . This establishes closure of separable algebraic elements under addition without presupposing that closure as a field theorem.