[Math] Showing that $\mathbb{Z}[i]$ is not isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$

abstract-algebragaussian-integersring-theory

Recall that $\mathbb{Z}[i]=\{a+bi:a,b \in \mathbb{Z}\}$, i.e., the Gaussian integers, and $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]=\{a+b\sqrt{2}:a,b \in \mathbb{Z}\}$.

I want to show that $\mathbb{Z}[i] \not\cong \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$.

Suppose, to the contrary, that they are isomorphic. Then there exists a bijective ring homomorphism $\phi: \mathbb{Z}[i] \rightarrow \mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$. Since $\phi$ is a homomorphism, it preserves additive and multiplicative identities, so $\phi(0)=0$ and $\phi(1)=1$. It also preserves sums, so for any $n \in \mathbb{Z}$, $\phi(n)=n$.

We know that $\phi(a+bi)=a'+b'\sqrt{2}$. I am trying to find an element in $\mathbb{Z}[i]$ that will map to an element in $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$ that will give me an equation in $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{2}]$ that has no solution. Some help?

Thank you.

Best Answer

You are on the right track. Note that $\phi(i)=x+y\sqrt{2}$ and $$ -1=\phi(-1)=\phi(i^2)=\phi(i)^2=(x+y\sqrt{2})^2=(x^2+2y^2)+2xy\sqrt{2} $$ Can you solve this equation?