Math 2.0

Commutative algebra Counterexample

Irreducible elements need not be prime

Builds on Irreducible elementPrime element

Counterexample

In the integral domain ℤ[−5]={a+b−5:a,b∈ℤ}\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-5}] = \{a + b\sqrt{-5} : a, b \in \mathbb{Z}\}, the element 22 is irreducible but not prime. Let N(a+b−5)=a2+5b2N(a + b\sqrt{-5}) = a^2 + 5b^2. This norm is multiplicative, and the units are the elements of norm 11, that is ±1\pm 1. If 2=xy2 = x y with nonunits x,yx, y, then N(x)N(y)=4N(x) N(y) = 4, so N(x)=2N(x) = 2. But a2+5b2=2a^2 + 5b^2 = 2 has no integer solution. So 22 is irreducible. The element 22 divides (1+−5)(1−−5)=6(1 + \sqrt{-5})(1 - \sqrt{-5}) = 6. It does not divide 1±−51 \pm \sqrt{-5}, because (1±−5)/2(1 \pm \sqrt{-5})/2 is not in ℤ[−5]\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-5}]. So 22 is not prime.

Remarks

The same ring shows that factorization is not unique: 6=2⋅3=(1+−5)(1−−5)6 = 2 \cdot 3 = (1 + \sqrt{-5})(1 - \sqrt{-5}). See [[ℤ[−5]\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-5}] is not a UFD|0BSJYCG7NM]]. In a unique factorization domain, every irreducible element is prime.

Reading path

To understand this page from the ground up, read these 10 pages in order. The foundations come first.

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Each page uses the pages above it. The colour of the bar on a box shows how strong the evidence is, and the box also gives it as text. The list has the same pages.
  • no evidence level
  1. Group concept
  2. Ring definition
  3. Commutative ring definition
  4. Unit of a ring definition
  5. Zero divisor definition
  6. Divisibility in a commutative ring definition
  7. Integral domain definition
  8. Prime element definition
  9. Irreducible element definition
  10. Irreducible elements need not be prime counterexample

Further reading

  1. Web https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Irreducible_element, Example
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