# find distinct elements of quotient ring of polynomials.

$2 + \langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ and $x^2 + \langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ are distinct elements of $\mathbb Z[x]/\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ Is this true or false?

I would be greateful if someone can explain the procedure to find the elements.

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This should give you a start. Note that $2+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ and $x^2+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ are the same if and only if their difference, $$(x^2-2)+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle,$$ is the zero element, namely $0+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$. Now think about what it means for a polynomial $f$ to have the property that $f+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$ is equal to $0+\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$, or equivalently, for $$f\equiv 0\mod x^3-x+5.$$ Does $x^2-2$ have that property?

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What I understand is (x^3-x+5)=0 and x^2-2 doesn't seem to have this property. Is this enough to show that these two elements are distinct? – faisal Apr 5 '12 at 14:22

You need to review the definitions of ring, ideal, and quotient ring. The ideal generated by $x^3-x+5$ is by definition the set of polynomials $I=\{f\cdot(x^3-x+5)\;|\;f\in \mathbb{Z}[x]\}$.

For $g\in \mathbb{Z}[x]$, consider the coset $g+I=\{g+f\;|\;f\in I\}$. In particular, $0+I$ is the set $I$ itself, $1+I$ consists of all elements of $I$ shifted by 1, etc. The quotient $\mathbb{Z}[x]/I$ is the set $\{g+I\;|\;g\in \mathbb{Z}[x]\}$, i.e. it is a set of cosets. You should now go and review how this set is endowed with addition and multiplication to make it a ring.

Yes, I mean now.

Ok, so now you should be able to answer some basic questions:

1. What is the 0 element in this ring?

2. Why are addition and multiplication well-defined (remember, you are adding and multiplying sets; cosets, to be precise)? Where exactly is it used that $I$ is an ideal, rather than just a subring?

If you are happy with all this, you should have no trouble with your question. Is $x^2-2+I$ the 0 element in $\mathbb{Z}[x]$? If you still don't know the answer, then you have not understood the definitions yet. Feel free to comment, detailing your thoughts.

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@faisal: I think you meant to address that to Alex B., not to me. I only edited this post to add a missing $. – Arturo Magidin Apr 5 '12 at 16:00 @Alex I have been reviewing the definitions of ring, ideal and quotient ring the minute you suggested me but I still can't figure it out. So far I only understand that x^3-x+5 is the 0 element of the ring. What should I do? – faisal Apr 5 '12 at 16:07 @faisal$x^3-x+5$is not the 0 element. Indeed, it is not an element of the quotient at all. The elements of the quotient are sets, and the 0 element is the set$\langle x^3-x+5\rangle$which consists of all multiples of this poly. The set$x^2-2+I$is therefore 0 if and only if it is the same set. But clearly$x^2-2$is not a multiple of a cubic polynomial. – Alex B. Apr 5 '12 at 22:25 Hint$\ $In$\rm\:R/I,\ \ a+I\: =\: b+I\iff a\!-\!b+I\: =\: 0+I\iff a\!-\!b\in I.\:$In mod language,$\rm\ mod\ I\!:\:\ a\equiv b\iff a\!-\!b\equiv 0\iff a\!-\!b\in I.$Further, when$\rm\:I\: = \langle d\rangle = d\:\!R\:$is principal, we have$\rm\:c\in d\:\!R\iff d\ |\ c\:$in$\rm R$. Finally,$\rm\:deg\ f < 3\:$and$\rm\:x^3\!-x+5\ |\ f\:$in$\rm\:\mathbb Z[x]\:\Rightarrow\rm\:f= 0.\$

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Thanks a ton. This is what I was asking for. – faisal Apr 5 '12 at 16:31