# Proof that there are exactly $n$ distinct $n$th roots of unity in fields of characteristic zero?

I think it's true that in a field $F$ of characteristic zero, there are exactly $n$ distinct $n$th roots of unity (in some algebraic closure $\bar{F}$), that is, roots of the polynomial $x^n-1$.

I know there can be at most $n$ roots (since $x^n-1$ is of degree $n$), but how can we show that all $n$ roots are distinct?

I also know that in fields of characteristic zero, all irreducible polynomials have zeros of multiplicity 1. But $x^n-1$ is reducible, so I think there must be some additional arguments that are escaping me.

• If $x^n-1$ had repeated roots then they would have to be common roots of $x^n-1$ and its derivative... – Daniel Schepler Sep 14 '18 at 23:13
• Does using derivatives in this context require invoking theorems from calculus/analysis? Because don't those presuppose that we are working in $\mathbb{R}$ as opposed to generic fields? – WillG Sep 14 '18 at 23:57
• Or is there a way to use formal derivatives for polynomials to prove this without relying on analysis concepts? – WillG Sep 14 '18 at 23:58
• Yes, use the formal derivative $Df$ of a polynomial $f$. You can prove that $f$ and $Df$ have a common root $\alpha$ iff $f$ has a repeated root at $\alpha$ (that is, $(x-\alpha)^2$ divides $f$). – Daniel Mroz Sep 15 '18 at 0:00
• Right, the formal derivative works, i.e. it satisfies the Leibniz product rule, so if you had $f(x) = g(x) (x-a)^n$ then $f'(x) = g'(x) (x-a)^n + g(x) \cdot n (x-a)^{n-1} = (x-a)^{n-1} (g'(x) (x-a) + n g(x))$. – Daniel Schepler Sep 15 '18 at 0:01

Suppose we have a primitive $$n$$th root of unity, $$\omega$$. Then for all $$1 < a \le n$$, $$(\omega^a)^n = (\omega^n)^a = 1^a = 1$$. If $$1 \le a < b \le n$$ then $$\omega^a = \omega^b \implies \omega^{b-a} = 1$$, contradicting the assumption that $$\omega$$ is a primitive $$n$$th root of unity. Therefore the existence of a primitive $$n$$th root of unity implies that there are $$n$$ distinct $$n$$th roots of unity, independently of the characteristic.
Now, let $$\omega$$ be a repeated root of $$x^n - 1$$ in the splitting field of $$x^n - 1$$ over $$F$$. It must be a primitive $$m$$th root of unity for some $$m$$ which is a proper factor of $$n$$. Let $$k = \frac nm$$. Then $$\gcd\left(\frac{x^{km}-1}{x^m-1}, x^m - 1\right) \neq 1$$ Now, $$\gcd(p(x), q(x)) = \gcd(p(x) - q(x)r(x), q(x))$$. Taking $$r(x) = \sum_{i=0}^{k-2} (k-1-i)x^{im}$$ we have $$\frac{x^{km} - 1}{x^m-1} - (x^m-1) \sum_{i=0}^{k-2} (k-1-i)x^{im} = \frac{(x^{km} - 1) - (x^m-1)^2 \sum_{i=0}^{k-2} (k-1-i)x^{im}}{x^m-1}$$ But that $$r$$ was carefully chosen to telescope: $$(x^m-1)^2 \sum_{i=0}^{k-2} (k-1-i)x^{im} = x^{km} -k x^{m} + (k-1)$$ so that $$\gcd\left(\frac{x^{km}-1}{x^m-1}, x^m - 1\right) = \gcd(k, x^m - 1)$$ This is non-constant iff $$k$$ is a multiple of the characteristic of $$F$$.