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Let $\mathbb R$ be the field of real numbers. From Nagata's criterion for unique factorization domains, it follows that $\frac{\mathbb R[X_1,\ldots,X_n]}{(X_1^2+\ldots+X_n^2)}$ is a unique factorization domain for all $n\ge 5$. But if $n=2$, then it is an integral domain which is not even normal. What happens from $n=3$ and $n=4$? Are they unique factorization domains? Of course, if we take $\mathbb C$ instead of $\mathbb R$, then they are not UFDs. I suspect that the presence of $\sqrt{-1}$ in the base field will perhaps dictate the answer. Dietrich Burde pointed out the following link see here which answers my question in affirmative for $n=3$. But for $n=4$, we need to answer the related question - Is $\frac{\mathbb R[X,Y,Z]}{(X^2+Y^2+Z^2+1)}$ a UFD?

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