Example of an Infinite Algebraic Extension
Find an example of an infinite algebraic extension over the field of rational numbers $\Q$ other than the algebraic closure $\bar{\Q}$ of $\Q$ in $\C$.
Definition (Algebraic Element, Algebraic Extension).
Let $F$ be a field and let $E$ be an extension of […]
What is the Probability that Selected Coin was Two-Headed?
There are three coins in a box. The first coin is two-headed. The second one is a fair coin. The third one is a biased coin that comes up heads $75\%$ of the time. When one of the three coins was picked at random from the box and tossed, it landed heads.
What is the probability […]
Order of the Product of Two Elements in an Abelian Group
Let $G$ be an abelian group with the identity element $1$. Let $a, b$ be elements of $G$ with order $m$ and $n$, respectively.
If $m$ and $n$ are relatively prime, then show that the order of the element $ab$ is $mn$.
Proof.
Let $r$ be the order of the element […]
Find the Inverse Matrices if Matrices are Invertible by Elementary Row Operations
For each of the following $3\times 3$ matrices $A$, determine whether $A$ is invertible and find the inverse $A^{-1}$ if exists by computing the augmented matrix $[A|I]$, where $I$ is the $3\times 3$ identity matrix.
(a) $A=\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 3 & -2 \\
2 &3 &0 \\
[…]
Galois Extension $\Q(\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}})$ of Degree 4 with Cyclic Group
Show that $\Q(\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}})$ is a cyclic quartic field, that is, it is a Galois extension of degree $4$ with cyclic Galois group.
Proof.
Put $\alpha=\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}}$. Then we have $\alpha^2=2+\sqrt{2}$. Taking square of $\alpha^2-2=\sqrt{2}$, we obtain […]
Fundamental Theorem of Finitely Generated Abelian Groups and its application
In this post, we study the Fundamental Theorem of Finitely Generated Abelian Groups, and as an application we solve the following problem.
Problem.
Let $G$ be a finite abelian group of order $n$.
If $n$ is the product of distinct prime numbers, then prove that $G$ is isomorphic […]
Any Subgroup of Index 2 in a Finite Group is Normal
Show that any subgroup of index $2$ in a group is a normal subgroup.
Hint.
Left (right) cosets partition the group into disjoint sets.
Consider both left and right cosets.
Proof.
Let $H$ be a subgroup of index $2$ in a group $G$.
Let $e \in G$ be the identity […]
Any Vector is a Linear Combination of Basis Vectors Uniquely
Let $B=\{\mathbf{v}_1, \mathbf{v}_2, \mathbf{v}_3\}$ be a basis for a vector space $V$ over a scalar field $K$. Then show that any vector $\mathbf{v}\in V$ can be written uniquely as
\[\mathbf{v}=c_1\mathbf{v}_1+c_2\mathbf{v}_2+c_3\mathbf{v}_3,\]
where $c_1, c_2, c_3$ are […]