# How do i prove that any two distinct irreducible monic polynomials in a field are relatively prime?

Let $F$ be a field and $P(x),Q(x)$ be distinct irreducible monic polynomials in $F$. Then how do i prove that $P(x),Q(x)$ are relatively prime?

I can prove this for an infinite field $F$ so that $P(x),Q(x)$ have a unique representation of polynomial respectively, but what if $F$ is finite?

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What proof depends on the size of $F$? –  Math Gems Feb 4 '13 at 13:50
@Math This is an exercise in my book, so I'm trying to prove it myself. There is no reference. –  Katlus Feb 4 '13 at 13:55
But you say "I can prove ...". What proof is that? –  Math Gems Feb 4 '13 at 14:06
It would really be good if you included the proof that Math Gems is asking for in the post. We're kind of surprised you discovered a split in the finite/infinite case, and we are (or at least I am) thinking there might be a misconception. If there is some misconception in the proof we would like to help you clear it up. If you remain silent then you and I won't ever know if there was a problem :) –  rschwieb Feb 4 '13 at 14:10
@rschwieb I was confused with the notion "$=$". Is there a special notation to distinguish "Equivalence in $F[X]$" from "equivalence in $F$"? I don't understand why one does not use some equivalence notation such as $\equiv$ for polynomials.. –  Katlus Feb 4 '13 at 20:46

Hint $\$ Write $A\sim B$ for $A$ is associate to $B$, i.e. $A = u B$ for some unit $u$. If $P$ is irreducible then the gcd $(P,Q)\neq 1\:\Rightarrow (P,Q)\sim P,\:$ So if $Q$ is also irreducible then $(P,Q)\sim Q,\:$ hence $P\sim Q.$ Therefore $P = Q$ (since both are monic), contra hypothesis.