W11 Lec 2 Main Galois theorem Fixed Field Galois

Theorem 4: Let K / F be a Galois extension. Let g ∈ F [ x ] and suppose that it splits completely in
K . Let β 1 , … , β r ∈ K be roots of g in K .

a) G ( K / F ) operates on the set { β 1 ,… , β r } ( ∀ σ ∈G ( K / F ) , ∀ i≤ r ,∃ j ≤r :σ ( β i ) =β j)

b) If K is also a splitting field of g over F then the G ( K / F ) – action on { β 1 ,… , β r } is
faithful (σ β i=β i , ∀ i≤ r ⇔ σ =1 ∈G ( K / F )).
By its action on the roots { β 1 ,… , β r } , G ( K / F ) is embedded as a subgroup of symmetric
group Sr .
c) If g is irreducible over F then the operation of G ( K / F ) on the roots of g is transitive (
∀ β i , β j , ∃σ ∈G ( K / F ) : σ ( β j )=β i).
d) If g is irreducible over F and K is a splitting field of g over F , then G is embedded as a
transitive subgroup (a subgroup that acts transitively on { 1 , … ,r }) of Sr where
r =deg ( g ).
This theorem is quite useful but not sufficient to determine the structure of the Galois group. It
depends on the choice of g.

Proof:

a) This comes from the fact that F – isomorphisms between extensions of F must map
roots of g to roots of g. That is, if β 1 is a root of g then σ ( β 1 ) must also be a root of g.
b) ⇒ Since K is a splitting field of g over F , K=F ( β 1 , … , β r ) and thus, if σ β i=β i , ∀ i≤ r ,
and so σ =1∈ G as these are F – isomorphisms.
⇐ If σ =1∈ G then σ β i=β i , ∀ i≤ r by definition.
To see that G ( K / F ) is embedded as a subgroup of Sr , consider the map
φ :G → Sr ,φ ( σ )=τ σ where τ σ :S r → S r , τ σ ( i )= j if σ ( β i )= β j. Since the action is faithful, it
follows that φ is injective.
c) If g is irreducible over F then g=irr❑F ( β1 ) and F=K G ( K / F ) so g= ( x−β 1 ) … ( x −βr )
which implies that { β 1 ,… , β r } is the G ( K / F ) – orbit of β 1. That is,
∀ i≤ r ,∃ σ ∈G ( K / F ) : σ ( β 1 ) =βi . Thus, to show transitivity, fix β i , β j . Then
∃ σ i , σ j ∈G ( K / F ) :σ i ( β 1 )=β i , σ j ( β 1 )=β j. Thus, σ j ∘ σ −1
i ( β i )=β j.
d) Follows from b) and c)

Theorem 5: (Main theorem of Galois theory)

Let K / F be a Galois extension. There exists a bijective correspondence

{ Subgroups of G ( K / F ) } ∼ {intermediate fields F ⊆ L ⊆ K }

A ↔ B

H ⊆ G ( K / F ) ↦ L=K H , F=K G ( K / F ) ⊆ K H ⊆ K
G ( K / L ) ↤ F ⊆ L⊆ K
Proof:

We’ll show that φ : A → F , H ↦ K H and ψ :B → A , L ↦ G ( K / L ) are inverse maps.

Let H ⊆ G be a subgroup. Then ψ ∘φ ( H )=ψ ( K H )=G ( K / K H )=H (from the fixed field
theorem).

Let L be an intermediate field of K / F . Then φ ∘ ψ ( L )=φ ( G ( K / L ) )=K G ( K / L ) . Now, since K / F

is Galois, it is a splitting field over F and thus, it is also a splitting field over L. Therefore,
K G ( K / L )=L. That is, φ ∘ ψ ( L )=L.

Theorem 6: Let K / F be a Galois extension. Let H ⊆ G ( K / F ) be a subgroup. Then

The extension K H / F is Galois⇔ H ⊲ G ( K / F )

If so, G ( K H / F ) ≅ G ( K / F ) / H .

Proof:
H H
Let γ 1 ∈ K be a primitive element such that K =F ( γ 1 ). Let f =irr F ( γ 1 ). Since K / F is Galois, f
splits completely in K as γ 1 ∈ K is a root of f . Let γ 1 ,… , γ n ∈ K be roots of f . Since f is
irreducible, using theorem 4 we know that G ( K / F ) acts transitively on { γ 1 , … , γ n }.

Next, note that K H / F is Galois ⇔ K H is a splitting field ⇔ f splits completely in

K H ⇔ γ1 , … , γ n ∈ K H .
H
Now we want to show that γ i ∈ K , ∀ i≤ n ⇔ H ⊲ G ( K / F ) .

Let σ ∈G ( K / F ). Suppose that σ ( γ 1 ) =γ i. Then

γ i ∈ K H ⇔ τ ( γ i) =γ i , ∀ τ ∈ H ( Δ ) τ ∘ σ ( γ 1 )=σ ( γ 1) , ∀ τ ∈ H ⇔ σ−1 τσ ( γ ) =γ , ∀ τ ∈ H
⇔ 1 1

τσ ∈ H , ∀ τ ∈ H
−1
( ¿) σ
⇔

The back direction of ( Δ ) requires transitivity of G ( K / F ) on { γ 1 , … , γ n }.

To see why ( ¿ ) is true, note that for σ ∈G ( K / F ), we have

σ ( γ 1 ) =γ 1 ⇔ σ |K =id ⇔σ ∈G ( K / K H ) =H ( ¿ ) .
H

As σ was arbitrary, it follows that H is normal. We conclude that K H / F is a Galois extension

⇔ H is a normal subgroup of G ( K / F ).

Suppose that K H is Galois. It remains to show that G ( K H / F ) ≅ G ( K / H ) / H . Recall that

K H =F ( γ 1 ) and { γ 1 , … , γ n } are roots of f =irr F ( γ 1 ). Fix σ ∈G ( K / F ). Then σ ( γ 1 ) =γ i for some
i≤ n and so σ : F ( γ 1 ) → F ( γ i )=K H which is an F – automorphism of K H . Thus, σ ∈G ( K H / F ).
H
So we’ve established a map φ :G ( K / F ) → G ( K / F ) , σ ↦ σ |K and H

ker ( φ )={ σ ∈ G ( K / F ) :σ |K =identity }=G ( K / K H ) =H

H
Finally, to see that φ is surjective, see that |G ( K / F )| / |H |=|G ( K H / F )|. This is because
K ⊇ L⊇ F and so [ K : K H ][ K H : F ]=[ K : F ]. But these are all Galois extensions so
[ K : K H ]=|G ( K / K H )|=|H|, [ K H : F ]=|G ( K H / F )| and [ K :F ] =|G ( K / F )|. Thus, we get
|H||G ( K H / F )|=|G ( K / F )|.
Using the group first isomorphism, G ( K / F ) / H ≅ G ( K H / F ).