Galois group of a certain splitting field

abstract-algebragalois-theoryminimal-polynomials

Let $f$ be the minimal polynomial for $\sqrt{3+\sqrt{2}}$. Find the Galois group of the splitting field $K$ over $\mathbb{Q}$.

Here are the steps that I have taken.

  1. The minimum polynomial is $x^4-6x^2+7$.
  2. The roots of this are $\pm \sqrt{3 \pm \sqrt{2}}$.
  3. I am guessing that the Galois group is…maybe $\mathbb{Z}/4\mathbb{Z}$, analogous to how $\mathbb{Z}/4\mathbb{Z}$ is the Galois group for $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2+\sqrt{2}})$, but I am not sure how to show this.

Any hints appreciated, Thanks!

Best Answer

Let $G=Gal(K/\mathbb{Q})$.

Hint : $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2})$ is contained in $K$, and is a Galois subextension of $\mathbb{Q}$. It is the fixed field of $H=Gal(K/\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2}))$; thus $G/H \simeq Gal(\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2})/\mathbb{Q})\simeq \mathbb{Z/2Z}$.

The minimal polynomial of $\sqrt{3+\sqrt{2}}$ over $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2})$ is $x^2-(3+\sqrt{2})$, so it's pretty clear that $H\simeq \mathbb{Z/2Z}$. So $G\simeq \mathbb{Z/4Z}$ or $(\mathbb{Z/2Z})^2$.

Which one it is will depend on whether $\sqrt{2}\mapsto -\sqrt{2}$ is a square in $G$ or not. Can you see if it can be a square ?

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