More from my site

• Basic Exercise Problems in Module Theory Let $R$ be a ring with $1$ and $M$ be a left $R$-module. (a) Prove that $0_Rm=0_M$ for all $m \in M$. Here $0_R$ is the zero element in the ring $R$ and $0_M$ is the zero element in the module $M$, that is, the identity element of the additive group $M$. To simplify the […]
• How to Diagonalize a Matrix. Step by Step Explanation. In this post, we explain how to diagonalize a matrix if it is diagonalizable. As an example, we solve the following problem. Diagonalize the matrix \[A=\begin{bmatrix} 4 & -3 & -3 \\ 3 &-2 &-3 \\ -1 & 1 & 2 \end{bmatrix}\] by finding a nonsingular […]
• Welcome to Problems in Mathematics Welcome to my website. I post problems and their solutions/proofs in mathematics. Most of the problems are undergraduate level mathematics. Here are several topics I cover on this website. Topics Linear Algebra Group Theory Ring Theory Field Theory, Galois Theory Module […]
• Polynomial $x^p-x+a$ is Irreducible and Separable Over a Finite Field Let $p\in \Z$ be a prime number and let $\F_p$ be the field of $p$ elements. For any nonzero element $a\in \F_p$, prove that the polynomial \[f(x)=x^p-x+a\] is irreducible and separable over $F_p$. (Dummit and Foote "Abstract Algebra" Section 13.5 Exercise #5 on […]
• Every Finite Group Having More than Two Elements Has a Nontrivial Automorphism Prove that every finite group having more than two elements has a nontrivial automorphism. (Michigan State University, Abstract Algebra Qualifying Exam)   Proof. Let $G$ be a finite group and $|G|> 2$. Case When $G$ is a Non-Abelian Group Let us first […]
• A Subgroup of Index a Prime $p$ of a Group of Order $p^n$ is Normal Let $G$ be a finite group of order $p^n$, where $p$ is a prime number and $n$ is a positive integer. Suppose that $H$ is a subgroup of $G$ with index $[G:P]=p$. Then prove that $H$ is a normal subgroup of $G$. (Michigan State University, Abstract Algebra Qualifying […]
• If Squares of Elements in a Group Lie in a Subgroup, then It is a Normal Subgroup Let $H$ be a subgroup of a group $G$. Suppose that for each element $x\in G$, we have $x^2\in H$. Then prove that $H$ is a normal subgroup of $G$. (Purdue University, Abstract Algebra Qualifying Exam)   Proof. To show that $H$ is a normal subgroup of […]
• Any Automorphism of the Field of Real Numbers Must be the Identity Map Prove that any field automorphism of the field of real numbers $\R$ must be the identity automorphism.   Proof. We prove the problem by proving the following sequence of claims. Let $\phi:\R \to \R$ be an automorphism of the field of real numbers […]