2
$\begingroup$

Defining $\mathcal{O}$ to be the set of all $x \in \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{D})$, for $D$ a square-free integer, such that the minimal polynomial has coefficients in $\mathbb{Z}$.

I have to show that $\mathcal{O}$ = $\mathbb{Z}[\omega]$ for $$\omega = \begin{cases} \sqrt{D}, & \text{if $D \equiv 2,3 \pmod 4$} \\ \frac{1+\sqrt{D}}{2}, & \text{if $D \equiv 1 \pmod 4$} \end{cases}$$

I was wondering if there were any holes in my proof and any feedback would be appreciated.

Given the minimal polynomial $x^2 -2ax+(a^2-b^2 D)$ of an arbitrary element $a+b\sqrt{D} \in \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{D})$, the definition requires $2a \in \mathbb{Z}$ and $a^2 -b^2 D \in \mathbb{Z}$. Therefore $a=\frac{i}{2}$ for some $i \in \mathbb{Z}$. We can replace the $a$'s equivalent in the second equation to get $\frac{i^2}{4} -b^2D= j$ for some $j \in \mathbb{Z}$, which after rearranging terms and multiplying both sides by $4$

$$i^2 -4j=4b^2D =k \in \mathbb{Z}$$

because $i,j \in \mathbb{Z}$. $D|k$. $b^2 = \frac{k'}{4}$ and $b=\frac{i'}{2}$ for some $i' \in \mathbb{Z}$, and $\mathcal{O} \subseteq \mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{D})$ must be elements of the form $\frac{i}{2}+\frac{i'}{2}\sqrt{D}$ for $i,i' \in \mathbb{Z}$.

For simplicity I switched $i$ and $i'$ to $a$ and $b\in \mathbb{Z}$, and then I calculated the minimal polynomial of $\frac{a}{2}+\frac{b}{2}\sqrt{D}$ $$x^2 -ax +\frac{a^2-b^2D}{4}$$ where the last term being in $\mathbb{Z}$ implies $a^2 \equiv Db^2 \pmod4$, and with the added knowledge that $z^2 \equiv 0,1 \pmod 4$ for $z \in \mathbb{Z}$:

  • $D \equiv 1 \pmod 4$ then $a^2 \equiv b^2 \pmod 4$ $a,b$ are both even or odd.
  • $D \equiv 2,3 \pmod 4$ then $a^2 \equiv (2,3) b^2 \equiv 0 \pmod 4$ since $a^2 \equiv 0,1 \pmod 4$ thus $a,b$ must both be even.

Thus if $D \equiv 2,3 \pmod 4$ then we must have elements of the form $a' + b'\sqrt{D}$ for $a',b' \in \mathbb{Z}$.

If $D\equiv 1 \pmod 4$ then we also have elements of that form $a' + b'\sqrt{D}$ but also elements of the form

$$\frac{2i+1}{2}+\frac{2i'+1}{2}\sqrt{D} = (i -i') +(2i'+1)\frac{1+\sqrt{D}}{2}$$

and noting that $$a'+b'\frac{1+\sqrt{D}}{2} = a'+\frac{b'}{2}+\frac{b'}{2}\sqrt{D} \equiv (c\in\mathbb{Z})+(d\in \mathbb{Z})\sqrt{D}$$ for $b$ even, every form is included in rewriting elements for $D \equiv 1 \pmod 4$ in the form $a'+b'\frac{1+\sqrt{D}}{2}$ for $a', b' \in \mathbb{Z}$.

$\endgroup$
2
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Yes, I think that’s correct. To be fully rigorous you’d need to check that $\omega$ is indeed an algebraic integer – but it’s easy enough. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 30, 2021 at 23:24
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @nolemonnomelon You have $(4b^2)D=k$ and hence $D\mid k$ pretty much by definition (recall that $d\mid n$ iff there is $k\in\Bbb Z$ s.t. $kd=n$). So no worries there. $\endgroup$ Commented Jan 31, 2021 at 2:16

1 Answer 1

1
$\begingroup$

As mentioned in the comments already: this looks good (and I will definitely bookmark this post for further reference!). You might be interested in this post which goes over the proof (maybe) more efficiently.

$\endgroup$

You must log in to answer this question.

Start asking to get answers

Find the answer to your question by asking.

Ask question

Explore related questions

See similar questions with these tags.