Exercise · ZW-IRREDUCIBLE-ELEMENT-008 · ★★☆ Intermediate

In \(\mathbb{Z}\), how many elements are associates of 5 (including 5 itself)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • D. 2

Explanation

The associates of 5 are \(u\cdot5\) with \(u\) a unit, and the units of \(\mathbb{Z}\) are \(\pm1\): we get \(5\) and \(-5\), both 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

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