Sean Li Math 7370 Notes Spring 2013 Algebraic Number Theory Lecture 8 2/6/13 Fractional Ideals.

s. Let I F be the group of (fractional) ideals of a number eld F , e.g. a nite extension of Q. Consider the semi-group of non-zero ideals in the ring of integers R of F . It is generated by the prime ideals of R because of unique factorization of the ideal I into P e1 P ek . I = p Z. 1 k PF the subgroup consisting of principal ideals. A fractional idea J (of R or F ) is an R-submodule of F which is nitely generated by an R-module. Equivalently, J = I/d where I is an integral ideal and d = 0, d R. Ideal Class Group. Let CF = I F /PF be the ideal class group of F . It is a nite abelian group which measures the degree of non-uniqueness of factorization in R. The class number is h = Ord(CF ). Class eld theory began with an interpretation of CF as the Galois group over F of the maximal abelian unramied extension of F . (Note that Q has no proper abelian unramied extension by this theorem. Minkowski showed this is true without the assumption of abelian.) A class eld tower can go on innitely high, i.e. each extension causes new ideals which are not principal. Z[ 5]. (7, 1 + 2 5)(3, 1 + 5) = (21, 3(1 + 2 5), 7(1 + 5), 9 + 3 5). Can check it is principal by noting that the ideal (4 + 5) is equal to the one obtained. Splitting of Primes. When does p Z split in R = Z[ 5]? Consider R/pR = Z /p Z /p[ 5]. 5 Fp , then R/pR Fp Fp . If 5 Fp , / = 5 then R/pR is a eld. Therefore, (p) is a prime of R 5 Fp / = 1. p (p) is a prime of R R/pR is a eld. If