Minimal polynomial (field theory)
= Minimal polynomial (field theory)
{wiki=Minimal_polynomial_(field_theory)}
In field theory, the minimal polynomial of an element \\(\\alpha\\) over a field \\(F\\) is the monic polynomial of least degree with coefficients in \\(F\\) that has \\(\\alpha\\) as a root. More specifically, the minimal polynomial has the following properties: 1. **Monic**: The leading coefficient (the coefficient of the highest degree term) is equal to 1.