Maths WorkshopMaths problems with full solutions
Exercise 1878Algebra › Rings and fieldsL1Added 3 Nov 2026

The field $\mathbb{R}[X]/(X^2+1)$

#quotient ring#polynomial#complex numbers

Statement

Show that R[X]/(X2+1)≅C\mathbb{R}[X]/(X^2+1)\cong\mathbb{C}.

Hint

Define φ:R[X]→C\varphi:\mathbb{R}[X]\to\mathbb{C} by φ(P)=P(i)\varphi(P)=P(i), and show its kernel is (X2+1)(X^2+1).

Show solutionHide solution

Solution

Homomorphism. φ(P+Q)=P(i)+Q(i)=φ(P)+φ(Q)\varphi(P+Q)=P(i)+Q(i)=\varphi(P)+\varphi(Q) and φ(PQ)=P(i)Q(i)=φ(P)φ(Q)\varphi(PQ)=P(i)Q(i)=\varphi(P)\varphi(Q).

Kernel. P(i)=0P(i)=0 iff X−iX-i divides PP over C\mathbb{C}. But P∈R[X]P\in\mathbb{R}[X], so if ii is a root, −i-i is also a root (conjugate roots). So (X−i)(X+i)=X2+1(X-i)(X+i)=X^2+1 divides PP over R[X]\mathbb{R}[X]. Kernel = (X2+1)(X^2+1).

Surjective. a+bi=φ(a+bX)a+bi=\varphi(a+bX).

Conclusion. By the first isomorphism theorem, R[X]/(X2+1)≅C\mathbb{R}[X]/(X^2+1)\cong\mathbb{C}.