Algebra Prelim Written Exam Spring 2005

Questions on part I are worth 10 points each, and those on part II are worth 50/6 points
each. Give the essential explanations and justifications: a large part of each question
is determination of the crucial points. Do not make assumptions which trivialize the
problems. Put part I solutions in blue books separate from part II solutions.
Write your codename on your exam, NOT your name.
Part I

I.1 Let T be an n-by-n matrix with integer entries. Show that there exist integer
matrices A, B with determinants 1 such that AT B is diagonal.

I.2 Prove that x4 + 1 factors properly in Fp [x] for all primes p, where Fp is a finite field
with p elements.

I.3 Determine the Galois group of the splitting field of x5 2 over Q.

I.4 Let z be an indeterminate, and C(z) the field of rational functions in z with
complex coefficients. Show that X 5 X + z C(z)[x] is irreducible.

I.5 Let S and T be C-linear endomorphisms of a finite-dimensional C-vectorspace V .

Suppose that ST = T S. Show that S and T have a simultaneous eigenvector.
Part II

II.1 Let p 6= q be odd primes. Show that any group G of order 2pq is solvable.

II.2 Let k be a field, x transcendental over K. Let = f (x)/g(x) with f (x), g(x)
k[x], and g(x) not the 0 polynomial. Assume that gcd(f (x), g(x)) = 1, and let d =
max{deg f, deg g}. Assume that d 1. Show
(i) is transcendental over k.
(ii) k(x) is algebraic of degree d over k().

II.3 Let a finite group G act on a finite set S, with |S| 2. Suppose that G acts
transitively on S. Show that there is an element g G which does not have a fixed point
on S.

II.4 Let A be a noetherian commutative ring with 1, and let M be a finitely-generated

A-module. Let : M M be a surjection of A-modules. Show that is an
isomorphism.

II.5 Let A, B, C be Z-modules. Show that

HomZ (A Z B, C) HomZ (A, HomZ (B, C))

Fix a Z-module X. Prove that

M HomZ (X, M )

is left exact.