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Exercise 1868Algebra › Rings and fieldsM1Added 3 Nov 2026

Eisenstein's criterion

#Eisenstein criterion#irreducibility#polynomials

Statement

Show that P(X)=X4+2X3+2X2+2X+2P(X)=X^4+2X^3+2X^2+2X+2 is irreducible over Q\mathbb{Q}.

Hint

Apply Eisenstein's criterion with p=2p=2.

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Solution

Eisenstein. PP has integer coefficients. For p=2p=2:
- 2∣2\mid all non-leading coefficients: 2,2,2,22,2,2,2.
- 2∤2\nmid leading coefficient 11.
- 4∤4\nmid constant term 22.

By Eisenstein's criterion, PP is irreducible over Q\mathbb{Q}.

Conclusion. PP is irreducible over Q\mathbb{Q}.