# $f(x)=x^n+5x^{n-1}+3$ can't be expressed as the product of two polynomials

Let $f(x)=x^n+5x^{n-1}+3$ where $n\geq1$ is an integer.Prove that $f(x)$ can't be expressed as the product of two polynomials each of which has all its coefficients integers and degree$\geq1$. If the condition that each polynomial must have all its coefficients integers was not there, then I needed to show only that $f(x)$ is irreducible over real numbers.But since this condition is given,therefore,we can't exclude the case when $f(x)$ is reducible over real numbers but not with polynomials of integer coefficients.Anyone with idea how to proceed?Thanks in advance!!

-
This is a classic application of Perron's criterion (mathoverflow.net/questions/8182/…), which can be proven using Rouche's theorem in complex analysis. I am not aware of another approach. –  Qiaochu Yuan Jun 28 '12 at 5:42

The notation $[x^t]P(x)$ denotes the coefficient of $x^t$ in polynomial $P(x)$.

Suppose that $f(x)=g(x)h(x)$, where $g(x),h(x)$ are monic polynomials, $g(x),h(x)\in\Bbb Z[x]$ and $\deg g>0$, $\deg h>0$, $\deg g+\deg h=n$. Let $g(x)=\sum_k\alpha_kx^k$, $h(x)=\sum_k\beta_kx^k$, where $\alpha_k,\beta_k$ is integer whenever $k\ge0$.

First, we have $\alpha_0\beta_0=3$, so $|\alpha_0|=3$ and $|\beta_0|=1$ or $|\alpha_0|=1$ and $|\beta_0|=3$. WLOG, suppose that $|\alpha_0|=3$ and $|\beta_0|=1$. Let $m$ is the smallest positive integer such that $3\nmid\alpha_m$ (such $m$ exists because $g(x)$ is monic). Now we have $$[z^m]f(x)=\alpha_0\beta_m+\alpha_1\beta_{m-1}+\cdots+\alpha_m\beta_0\equiv\alpha_m\beta_0\not\equiv0\pmod3$$ So $m\ge n-1$, and $\deg g\ge n-1$, thus $\deg h\le 1$, hence $\deg h=1$, and $h(x)=x+\beta_0$, where $\beta_0=\pm1$, so $h(\beta_0)=0$, and $f(\beta_0)=0$, but it's obvious that $f(\pm1)\neq0$, Q.E.D.

-
+1 This is a very nice argument. It is, of course, an example of using a $3$-adic Newton's polygon, but could also be given as a challenge question after introducing Eisenstein's criterion. –  Jyrki Lahtonen Jun 28 '12 at 8:09
@JyrkiLahtonen You remind me of Eisenstein's criterion, and I'm just aware that my proof is just a varient of the proof for Eisenstein's criterion. –  Frank Science Jun 28 '12 at 8:13
@Jyrki It's a minor variant of Eisenstein - see my answer. Of course Newton polygon's are the Master Theorem here. –  Bill Dubuque Jun 28 '12 at 17:20
Hint $\$ This is a minor variant of Eisenstein's criterion. Mod $3$ it factors as $\rm\:x^{n-1}(x+5)\:$ so by uniqueness of factorization if $\rm\:f = gh\:$ then, mod $3,\,$ $\rm\:g = x^j,\,$ $\rm\,h = x^k(x+5),\,$ $\rm\:j\!+\!k = n\!-\!1.\,$ But not $\rm\,j,k > 0\,$ else $\rm\:3\:|\:g(0),h(0)\:$ $\Rightarrow$ $\rm\:9\:|\:g(0)h(0)=f(0).\:$ Hence either $\rm\:j=0,\:$ so $\rm\:f\:$ is irreducible, or $\rm\:k=0,\:$ and $\rm\:f\:$ has a linear factor $\rm\:g,\:$ which is easily ruled out. $\ \$ QED
I have a doubt yesterday. For example, if $\Bbb Z_p=\{0,1,\ldots,p-1\}$, can we conclude that $\Bbb Z_p[x]$ is an Euclidean domain? The uniqueness of factorization might work in such case, but I'm not sure because I'm just a high-school student without good education of algebra. –  Frank Science Jun 29 '12 at 1:50
@Frank Yes, a polynomial ring $\rm\:F[x]\:$ over a field $\rm\:F\:$ is a Euclidean domain (via the high-school long division algorithm), so it is a unique factorization domain. This is proved in most every course in university algebra. –  Bill Dubuque Jun 29 '12 at 2:27