Simple extension

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In mathematics, more specifically in field theory, a simple extension is a field extension which is generated by the adjunction of a single element. Simple extensions are well understood and can be completely classified.

The primitive element theorem provides a characterization of the finite extensions which are simple.

1 Definition
2 Notes
3 Examples
4 Classification of simple extensions
5 See also

[edit] Definition

A field extension L/K is called a simple extension if there exists an element θ in L with

L = K (θ).

The element θ is called a primitive element, or generating element, for the extension; we also say that L is generated over K by θ.

[edit] Notes

The only field contained in L which contains both K and θ is L itself. More concretely, this means that every element of L can be obtained from the elements of K and θ by finitely many field operations (addition, subtraction, multiplication and division).

K(θ) is defined as the smallest fields which contains K[θ], the polynomials in θ. As K[θ] is an integral domain this is the field of fractions of K[θ] and thus

$K(\theta) = \{ \frac{g}{h} | g,h \in K[\theta], h \neq 0 \}.$

In other words every element of K(θ) can be written as a quotient of two polynomials in θ with coefficients from K.

[edit] Examples

C/R (generated by i)
Q(√2)/Q (generated by √2), more generally any number field is a simple extension Q(α) for some α
F(X)/F (generated by X).

[edit] Classification of simple extensions

Given a field K the simple extensions K(θ) can be completely classified using the polynomial ring K[X] in one indeterminate,

Let K(θ) be a simple extensions. If θ is algebraic over K then K(θ) is identical to K[θ]. If θ is transcendental over K then K(θ) is isomorphic to the field of fractions of K[X].