Exercise · ZW-UNIQUE-FACTORIZATION-DOMAIN-004 · ★☆☆ Basic

Which of these rings is a unique factorization domain?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • C. \(\mathbb{Z}[i]\)

Explanation

The ring \(\mathbb{Z}[i]\) is Euclidean with norm \(a^2+b^2\), hence a UFD. In the others uniqueness fails: \(6=2\cdot3=(1+\sqrt{-5})(1-\sqrt{-5})\), \(4=2\cdot2=(1+\sqrt{-3})(1-\sqrt{-3})\) and \(6=2\cdot3=-(\sqrt{-6})^2\).

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Review the concept: Unique factorization domain

An integral domain \(D\) in which every nonzero nonunit element \(a\) is a product of irreducibles \(p_i\), and this factorization is unique up to order and associates.

\[a=p_1p_2\cdots p_r\]

More practice problems: unique factorization domain

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