Abstract Algebra: Theory and Applications

Calculate each of the following.

Calculate \([\gf(p^m): \gf(p^n)]\text{,}\) where \(n \mid m\text{.}\)

What is the lattice of subfields for \(\gf(p^{30})\text{?}\)

Let \(\alpha\) be a zero of \(x^3 + x^2 + 1\) over \({\mathbb Z}_2\text{.}\) Construct a finite field of order \(8\text{.}\) Show that \(x^3 + x^2 + 1\) splits in \({\mathbb Z}_2(\alpha)\text{.}\)

Construct a finite field of order \(27\text{.}\)

Prove or disprove: \({\mathbb Q}^\ast\) is cyclic.

Prove or disprove: \({\mathbb Z}_2[x] / \langle x^3 + x + 1 \rangle \cong {\mathbb Z}_2[x] / \langle x^3 + x^2 + 1 \rangle\text{.}\)

Determine the number of cyclic codes of length \(n\) for \(n = 6, 7, 8, 10\text{.}\)

Prove that the ideal \(\langle t + 1 \rangle\) in \(R_n\) is the code in \({\mathbb Z}_2^n\) consisting of all words of even parity.

Prove or disprove: There exists a finite field that is algebraically closed.

Let \(p\) be prime. Prove that the field of rational functions \({\mathbb Z}_p(x)\) is an infinite field of characteristic \(p\text{.}\)

Let \(D\) be an integral domain of characteristic \(p\text{.}\) Prove that \((a - b)^{p^n} = a^{p^n} - b^{p^n}\) for all \(a, b \in D\text{.}\)

Show that every element in a finite field can be written as the sum of two squares.

Let \(E\) and \(F\) be subfields of a finite field \(K\text{.}\) If \(E\) is isomorphic to \(F\text{,}\) show that \(E = F\text{.}\)

Let \(F \subset E \subset K\) be fields. If \(K\) is a separable extension of \(F\text{,}\) show that \(K\) is also separable extension of \(E\text{.}\)

Let \(E\) be an extension of a finite field \(F\text{,}\) where \(F\) has \(q\) elements. Let \(\alpha \in E\) be algebraic over \(F\) of degree \(n\text{.}\) Prove that \(F( \alpha )\) has \(q^n\) elements.

Show that every finite extension of a finite field \(F\) is simple; that is, if \(E\) is a finite extension of a finite field \(F\text{,}\) prove that there exists an \(\alpha \in E\) such that \(E = F( \alpha )\text{.}\)

Show that for every \(n\) there exists an irreducible polynomial of degree \(n\) in \({\mathbb Z}_p[x]\text{.}\)

Prove that the Frobenius map \(\Phi : \gf(p^n) \rightarrow \gf(p^n)\) given by \(\Phi : \alpha \mapsto \alpha^p\) is an automorphism of order \(n\text{.}\)

Show that every element in \(\gf(p^n)\) can be written in the form \(a^p\) for some unique \(a \in \gf(p^n)\text{.}\)

Let \(E\) and \(F\) be subfields of \(\gf(p^n)\text{.}\) If \(|E| = p^r\) and \(|F| = p^s\text{,}\) what is the order of \(E \cap F\text{?}\)

Let \(p\) be prime. Prove that \((p-1)! \equiv -1 \pmod{p}\text{.}\)

If \(g(t)\) is the minimal generator polynomial for a cyclic code \(C\) in \(R_n\text{,}\) prove that the constant term of \(g(x)\) is \(1\text{.}\)

Often it is conceivable that a burst of errors might occur during transmission, as in the case of a power surge. Such a momentary burst of interference might alter several consecutive bits in a codeword. Cyclic codes permit the detection of such error bursts. Let \(C\) be an \((n,k)\)-cyclic code. Prove that any error burst up to \(n-k\) digits can be detected.

Prove that the rings \(R_n\) and \({\mathbb Z}_2^n\) are isomorphic as vector spaces.

Let \(C\) be a code in \(R_n\) that is generated by \(g(t)\text{.}\) If \(\langle f(t) \rangle\) is another code in \(R_n\text{,}\) show that \(\langle g(t) \rangle \subset \langle f(t) \rangle\) if and only if \(f(x)\) divides \(g(x)\) in \({\mathbb Z}_2[x]\text{.}\)