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So I am currently learning about ideal class groups and it is mentioned by the professor that to "show that the ring of integers $R$ is a PID, it suffices to show that all prime ideals of size less than or equal to the Minkoski bound is principal" I don't understand why this is the case and would appreciate if somebody can explain it to me.

From what I understand, the ideal class group $Cl(R)$ consists of all ideals in the ring of integers $R$ (where R can be shown as a Dedikind domain). Hence, all ideals in $Cl(R)$ have a finite unique factorization into prime ideals.

At the same time, the ideal class group $Cl(R)$ can be shown to be equal to the quotient group $J_K/P_K$ where $J_K$ is the group of fractional ideals of the ring of integers of $K$, and $P_K$ is its subgroup of principal ideals.

Any assistance on how I should proceed will be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

Explorer1234
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