Prove its an algebraic integer

Algebra Level 1

The existence of which of these polynomials proves that 3 + 2 5 3+2\sqrt{5} is an algebraic integer ?

x 3 13 2 x 2 8 x + 11 2 x^3-\frac{13}{2}x^2-8x+\frac{11}{2} x 2 3 x 20 6 5 x^2-3x-20-6\sqrt{5} x 2 6 x 11 x^2-6x-11 x 2 ( 9 2 5 ) x 22 x^2-\big(9-2\sqrt{5}\big)x-22 x 2 + 6 x + 11 x^2+6x+11

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2 solutions

Chew-Seong Cheong
Jan 24, 2017

Relevant wiki: Algebraic Number Theory

Let α = 3 + 2 5 \alpha = 3+2\sqrt 5 be a root of a monic polynomial. We can assume another root β = 3 2 5 \beta = 3-2\sqrt 5 ; so that by Vieta's formula , we have α + β = 3 + 2 5 + 3 2 5 = 6 \alpha + \beta = 3+2\sqrt 5 + 3-2\sqrt 5 = 6 and α β = ( 3 + 2 5 ) ( 3 2 5 ) = 3 2 ( 2 5 ) 2 = 9 20 = 11 \alpha \beta = \left( 3+2\sqrt 5 \right) \left( 3-2\sqrt 5 \right) = 3^2 - \left(2\sqrt 5 \right)^2 = 9 - 20 = - 11 to give integer coefficients. Therefore, the monic polynomial is x 2 6 x 11 \boxed{x^2-6x-11} .

Andy Hayes
Jan 23, 2017

In order for 3 + 2 5 3+2\sqrt{5} to be an algebraic integer, it must be a root of a monic polynomial with integer coefficients. The number in question is a root of every given polynomial other than x 2 + 6 x + 11. x^2+6x+11. Among those polynomials, the only one that has integer coefficients is x 2 6 x 11 . \boxed{x^2-6x-11}.

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