B3.6

Galois Theory
Part II, 2001

Let Fp\mathbf{F}_{p} be the finite field with pp elements ( pp a prime), and let kk be a finite extension of Fp\mathbf{F}_{p}. Define the Frobenius automorphism σ:kk\sigma: k \longrightarrow k, verifying that it is an Fp\mathbf{F}_{p^{-}} automorphism of kk.

Suppose f=Xp+1+Xp+1Fp[X]f=X^{p+1}+X^{p}+1 \in \mathbf{F}_{p}[X] and that KK is its splitting field over Fp\mathbf{F}_{p}. Why are the zeros of ff distinct? If α\alpha is any zero of ff in KK, show that σ(α)=1α+1\sigma(\alpha)=-\frac{1}{\alpha+1}. Prove that ff has at most two zeros in Fp\mathbf{F}_{p} and that σ3=id\sigma^{3}=i d. Deduce that the Galois group of ff over Fp\mathbf{F}_{p} is a cyclic group of order three.