Is field-basis of integral elements an integral basis

abstract-algebraalgebraic-number-theoryintegral-basis

Suppose we have a finite field extension $K = \mathbb{Q(\alpha)}$ with basis $1,\alpha,\dots,\alpha^{n-1}$ where all $\alpha^i$ are integral elements. Do they form an integral basis of the ring of integers $\mathcal{O}_K$ of $K$?

Best Answer

No. Take for instance $\alpha = \sqrt 5$.

Even worse, there may not exist a suitable $\alpha$. This is the case for the cubic field generated by a root of the polynomial $X^{3}-X^{2}-2X-8$, according to Wikipedia. For a discussion and a proof, see Rings of integers without a power basis by Keith Conrad.

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