Calculate the degree of $[\mathbb Q(a):\mathbb Q]$

89 Views Asked by At

How to determine $[\mathbb Q(a):\mathbb Q]$ for $a\in\overline{\mathbb Q}\setminus\mathbb Q$ with $a^p=1$ with $p$ prime?

So $a$ is an algebraic, complex number which cannot be written as a quotient. It is algebraic and so it is the root of a polynomial $\in\mathbb Q[X]$, for example $f(X)=X-1$ as $a^p=1$. The degree can be determined by finding the minimal polynomial and the degree of the minimal polynomial will be the degree of the field extension. But what is the minimal polynomial?

1

There are 1 best solutions below

5
On BEST ANSWER

If $\alpha$ is a primitive root of the unit then it is root of $$f(X) = X^{p-1} + X^{p-2} + \ldots + X + 1$$

which is irreducible over $\mathbb{Q}$. Can you take it from here?