# How to reduce a polynomial

I'm studing theory about polynomial ring, I have this exercise:

For what prime number does the polynomial $f=x^3+\overline{2}x +\overline{2}\in\mathbb{Z}_p$ admit $\overline{3}$ as a root (I hope the term is correct)?

I work in this way $$f(\overline{3}) = \overline{27}+\overline{6}+\overline{2}=\overline{35}$$ But this is correct if $\overline{35}=\overline{0}$; this happens in $\mathbb{Z}_p$ if and only if: $$35\equiv0\pmod p$$ So I can say $p=5$. The exercise continues, but I don't know how to proceed:

Write $f$ as product of irreducible factors in $\mathbb{Z}_p$

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You could also have $p=7$. –  Joe Johnson 126 Mar 14 '12 at 9:52

Some hints:

Since $\deg f = 3$, we know that either

• $f$ is irreducible
• $f = g_1 g_2$ for two factors with (w.l.o.g.) $\deg g_1 = 1$ and $\deg g_2 = 2$, where $g_2$ is irreducible.
• $f = g_1 g_2 g_3$ for three factors with $\deg g_i = 1$ for $i = 1,2,3$.

Now, you may assume that the $g_i$ are monic (i.e., their leading coefficient is 1), so they correspond to roots of $f$. In other words, if you know the roots of $f$, you can easily find its irreducible factors.

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And how can i work in a more general environment. Where $\deg f$ is not necessarely equal to 3? –  Mariano Mar 14 '12 at 13:21
In general, things become more complicated, since there are many possibilities for the degree distribution of the irreducible factors. Basically, there are (somewhat expensive) algorithms for factoring polynomials over a field with given characteristic; see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/… for an overview, or any computer algebra textbook for details. –  Johannes Kloos Mar 14 '12 at 13:46
What about Ruffini? –  Mariano Mar 15 '12 at 12:33
Do you mean the Abel-Ruffini theorem? If working over $\mathbb Z/p \mathbb Z$, it is not really relevant, since you can find the zeroes of a polynomial by brute-force search. Also, depending on $p$, it might take a different form (my Galois theory class was quite a while ago, so I'm not certain). –  Johannes Kloos Mar 15 '12 at 14:09
Yes, i know the theory. I would see some examples, cause this theorem is the only one that I can use. –  Mariano Mar 15 '12 at 22:00