Galois extensions for cyclic group:Z2: Difference between revisions

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In this case, the quadratic extension can be obtained by adjoining a polynomial of the form <math>x^2 - a</math> where <math>a</math> is a nonzero element of the field that is not a square. For prime fields, such an element is termed a quadratic nonresidue.
In this case, the quadratic extension can be obtained by adjoining a polynomial of the form <math>x^2 - a</math> where <math>a</math> is a nonzero element of the field that is not a square. For prime fields, such an element is termed a quadratic nonresidue.
===Case where the field has characteristic two===
This case is a little trickier, since no polynomial of the form <math>x^2 - a</math> is irreducible. Rather, an irreducible polynomial is of the form <math>x^2 + x + a</math>.

Revision as of 21:35, 14 April 2009

Template:Galois extensions

Given a Galois extension of fields, the Galois group for the extension is the cyclic group of order two if and only if the field extension is a quadratic extension.

Over a finite field

Over a finite field, there is exactly one quadratic extension.

Case where the field does not have characteristic two

In this case, the quadratic extension can be obtained by adjoining a polynomial of the form x2a where a is a nonzero element of the field that is not a square. For prime fields, such an element is termed a quadratic nonresidue.

Case where the field has characteristic two

This case is a little trickier, since no polynomial of the form x2a is irreducible. Rather, an irreducible polynomial is of the form x2+x+a.