Department of Mathematics

Spring 2010, MATH 317

Colorado State University

Homework Assignment I
Due Jan 22, 2010 Write down every step of your proof and state the properties/denitions/facts involved. 1. Assume the p and q have the prime factorizations p1 , p2 , , pmp and q1 , q2 , , qmq respectively and p/q is in reduced form. Prove that if q divides a0 pn with a0 being an integer, then q divides a0 . (Refer to the class notes for the implication of this statement). 2 3 4 is irrational. 2. Prove that 3 3. Prove that if S is a eld and a S, then (a) = a. 4. Prove that if S is a eld, a, b, b , c S, b = b and a + b = a + c, then a + b = a + c. (This is the substitution law mentioned in class). 5. Suppose that S is a eld and I is the multiplicative identity. Prove that I is unique. (Hint: Suppose the multiplicative identity is not unique, then there exist at least two elements I, I S, I = I such that a I = a and a I = a for any a = . But then = a I + ((a I )) = a I + ((I a)) = a I + ((I ) a) = a I + a (I ) = a (I + (I )). But then I + (I ) = . Note that I + (I) = 0 so I = I , suggesting that I = I .)