Chapter 7: Problem 8
In Exercises 1 through 15 determine the field of quotients of the indicated rings if it exists. If it does not exist, explain why. $$ \mathrm{z}_{5} $$
Short Answer
Expert verified
The field of quotients of \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \) is \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \) itself, as it is already a field.
Step by step solution
01
Identify the Given Ring
The given ring is \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \), which denotes the set of integers modulo 5. This set consists of the elements \( \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\} \), where addition and multiplication are defined under modulo 5 arithmetic.
02
Verify Conditions for a Field of Quotients
A field of quotients exists for a commutative ring with no zero divisors. Each non-zero element must have a multiplicative inverse in order for the ring to be integrally closed.
03
Confirm the Existence of Inverses for Nonzero Elements
In \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \), each non-zero element (1, 2, 3, 4) has a multiplicative inverse. For example, the inverse of 2 is 3, because \(2 \times 3 \equiv 1 \mod 5\). Similarly, other elements can be paired with their inverses, confirming that all non-zero elements have inverses.
04
Conclude the Existence of a Field of Quotients
Since \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \) is a finite field where every non-zero element has an inverse, it is already a field. A field of quotients is unnecessary because \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \) is self-contained as a field.
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Modulo Arithmetic
Modulo arithmetic is a system of arithmetic for integers, where numbers wrap around after a certain value, known as the modulus. In our original exercise, the ring is \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \), which means we are working with integers modulo 5. This small set consists of numbers: 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4. Here's how modulo arithmetic affects operations:
- **Addition & Subtraction:** Add or subtract numbers normally, then divide by the modulus. The remainder after division is the result. For example, in \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \), \( 3 + 4 = 7 \equiv 2 \) (mod 5) because 7 divided by 5 gives a remainder of 2.
- **Multiplication:** Multiply the numbers as usual, but like addition, use the remainder after division by the modulus. For instance, \( 2 \times 3 = 6 \equiv 1 \) (mod 5).
Commutative Ring
A commutative ring is a set combined with two operations: addition and multiplication, that behaves similarly to how we traditionally understand these operations.
Key properties of a commutative ring include:
Key properties of a commutative ring include:
- **Addition:** Commutative (\( a + b = b + a \)) and associative (\( (a + b) + c = a + (b + c) \)), with an additive identity (usually 0) and additive inverses.
- **Multiplication:** Commutative (\( a \times b = b \times a \)) and associative (\( (a \times b) \times c = a \times (b \times c) \)), having a multiplicative identity (usually 1).
- **Distributive Property:** Multiplication distributes over addition (\( a \times (b + c) = a \times b + a \times c \)).
Multiplicative Inverse
The multiplicative inverse of a number in a set is something that can be multiplied by the original number to yield the multiplicative identity, generally 1. In the realm of modular arithmetic, particularly within a set like \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \), each non-zero number has a multiplicative inverse.
For example:
For example:
- 2 has an inverse of 3 because \( 2 \times 3 \equiv 1 \) (mod 5).
- 3 has an inverse of 2, hence \( 3 \times 2 \equiv 1 \) (mod 5).
- 4 has an inverse of 4 itself, as \( 4 \times 4 \equiv 1 \) (mod 5).
Finite Field
A finite field, also known as a Galois field, is a field with a finite number of elements. The structure of finite fields is heavily defined by the modular arithmetic system they rely on. The prime example given in our exercise is \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \).
For \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \):
For \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \):
- **Closure:** Both addition and multiplication remain within the set. Each operation on any pair of elements outputs a number within \( \{0, 1, 2, 3, 4\} \).
- **Inverse Compliance:** Every non-zero element of \( \mathbb{Z}_5 \) has a multiplicative inverse, characteristic of field structures.
- **Non-Zero Characteristic:** The field characteristic is 5, as it requires adding the multiplicative identity (1) to itself five times to return to the additive identity (0): \( 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 = 0 \) (mod 5).