Why does this proof generalize for all norms? $\mathbb Z[\sqrt{-5}]$ is not an Euclidean Domain.

abstract-algebraeuclidean-domainprincipal-ideal-domains

Here's a proof from Dummit and Foote that $\mathbb Z[\sqrt{-5}]$ is not an Euclidean Domain (based on the fact that it's not a PID).

I understand all of the proof except the last step. They carried out the proof for a specific choice of the field norm $N(a + b\sqrt{-5}) = a^2 + 5b^2$. How are they concluding that $R$ is not a Euclidean Domain with respect to any norm? They didn't even check for any norms apart from the specific $N$ they chose. Am I missing something?

Best Answer

A Euclidean domain is necessarily a principal ideal domain. Since this ring has a non-principal ideal, it cannot have a Euclidean norm.

You may be interested in reading about a PID which is not Euclidean. E.g. http://www.maths.qmul.ac.uk/~raw/MTH5100/PIDnotED.pdf