Why is $2$-adic roots of unity $\{1,-1\}$

algebraic-number-theorynumber theoryp-adic-number-theoryroots-of-unity

I am reading a proof of the fact that the only root of unity in $\mathbb Q_2$ is $\pm1$. But I am stuck at one point: The proof says that all of the root of unity in $\mathbb Q_2$ has an order of a power of $2$. And since $-1$ is not a square in $\mathbb Q_2$, the root of unity in $\mathbb Q_2$ has to have order $2$ and thus they are just $\pm1$.

I understand the second sentence here but have no idea whether root of unity in $\mathbb Q_2$ has order of a power of $2$. Any help is appreciated!

Best Answer

Clearly any root of unity in $\mathbb{Q}_2$ is actually in $\mathbb{Z}_2$. But now note that the group of units of $\mathbb{Z}/(2^n)$ has order $2^{n-1}$, so its only element of odd order is $1$. This means that any root of unity in $\mathbb{Z}_2$ of odd order must be $1$ mod $2^n$ for all $n$, and thus must be equal to $1$.

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