1

Let $F|K$ be a field extension and $a \in F$ such that $[K(a):K]$ is odd integer,

then prove that $K(a)=K(a^2)$.

yio kk
  • 257

1 Answers1

3

Since $a$ satisfies a quadratic polynomial with coefficients in $K(a)$ we have $[K(a):K(a^2)]=1$ or $2$. In the former case there's nothing to prove.

In the latter case we get $$ [K(a):K]=[K(a):K(a^2)][K(a^2):K]=2[K(a^2):K]. $$ But this is impossible because $[K(a):K]$ is odd.

Andrea Mori
  • 26,969