Exercise · ZW-IRREDUCIBLE-ELEMENT-001 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which of these elements is irreducible in \(\mathbb{Z}\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(-13\)

Explanation

The number \(-13=(-1)\cdot13\) factors only with a unit, so it is irreducible. 12 and 21 have proper factors and 1 is a unit, so it cannot be irreducible.

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Review the concept: Irreducible element

A nonzero nonunit element \(p\) of an integral domain \(D\) with no proper factorization: in every product of two factors equal to \(p\), one of them is a unit.

\[p=ab\ \Rightarrow\ a\ \text{ or }\ b\ \text{is a unit}\]

More practice problems: irreducible element

ZW-IRREDUCIBLE-ELEMENT-002 →