Exercise · ZW-UNIT-OF-A-RING-006 · ★★☆ Intermediate

Which of these elements is a unit of \(\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt2]\)?

Choose one option.

Show answer
  • A. \(1+\sqrt2\)

Explanation

We have \((1+\sqrt2)(\sqrt2-1)=2-1=1\), and \(\sqrt2-1\) lies in the ring. The others have norm \(a^2-2b^2\) equal to \(2\), \(7\) and \(-4\), different from \(\pm1\), so they are not units.

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Review the concept: Unit of a ring

A unit of a ring \(R\) with identity \(1\) is an element \(u\) that has a multiplicative inverse \(v\) within \(R\).

\[uv=vu=1\]

More practice problems: unit of a ring

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