Algebraic number
In mathematics, and more specifically—in number theory, an algebraic number is a complex number that is a root of a polynomial with rational coefficients. Real or complex numbers that are not algebraic are called transcendental numbers.
Alternative Characterization
Every polynomial with rational coefficients can be converted to one with integer coefficients by multiplying through by the least common multiple of the denominators of the coefficients. It follows that the term "algebraic number" can also be defined as a complex number that is a root of a polynomial with integer coefficients. If an algebraic number x can be written as the root of a polynomial with integer coefficients which is also monic, that is, one whose leading coefficient is 1, then x is called an algebraic integer.
Cardinality
The algebraic numbers include all rational numbers, and both sets of numbers, rational and algebraic, are countable.
Algebraic Properties
The algebraic numbers form a field; in fact, they are the smallest algebraically closed field with characteristic 0. [1]
Degree and Defining Polynomial
Let be an algebraic number different from The degree of is, by definition, the lowest degree of a polynomial with rational coefficients, for which There is a unique monic polynomial of degree d having a as a root. It is the defining polynomial (or minimal polynomial) for a.
Examples
Rational numbers different from are algebraic and of degree All non-rational algebraic numbers have degree greater than
is an algebraic number of degree 2, and, in fact, an algebraic integer, as it is a root of the polynomial . Similarly, the imaginary unit is an algebraic integer of degree 2, being a root of the polynomial .
Algebraic numbers via subfields
The field of complex numbers is a linear space over the field of rational numbers In this section, by a linear space we will mean a linear subspace of over and by algebra we mean a linear space which is closed under the multiplication, and which has as its element. The following properties of a complex number are equivalent:
- is an algebraic number of degree
- belongs to an algebra of linear dimension
Indeed, when the first condition holds, then the powers linearly generate the algebra required by the second condition. And if the second condition holds then the elements are linearly dependent (over rationals).
Actually, every finite dimensional algebra is a field—indeed, divide an equality
where by and you quickly get an equality of the form:
A momentary reflection gives now
Theorem The degree of the inverse of any algebraic number is equal to the degree of the number itself.
The sum and product of two algebraic numbers
Let and where are finite linear bases of fields respectively. Let be the smallest algebra generated by Then is linearly generated by
Thus the linear dimensions (over rationals) of the three algebras satisfy inequality:
Now, let be arbitrary algebraic numbers of degrees respectively. They belong to their respective m- and n-dimensional algebras. The sum and product belong to the algebra generated by the union of the two mentioned algebras. The dimension of the generated algebra is not greater than It contains as well as all linear combinations with rational coefficients This proves:
Theorem The sum and the product of two algebraic numbers of degree m and n, respectively, are algebraic numbers of degree not greater than m•n. The same holds for the linear combinations with rational coefficients of two algebraic numbers.
As a corollary to the above theorem, together with the previous section, we obtain:
Theorem The algebraic numbers form a field.
Notes
- ↑ If 1 + 1 = 0 in the field, the characteristic is said to be 2; if 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 the characteristic is said to be 3, and forth. If there is no such that adding 1 times gives 0, we say the characteristic is 0. A field of positive characteristic need not be finite.