Let K be a field of characteristic different from 2 .
Show that if L/K is an extension of degree 2 , then L=K(x) for some x∈L such that x2=a∈K. Show also that if L′=K(y) with 0=y2=b∈K then L and L′ are isomorphic (as extensions of K ) if and only b/a is a square in K.
Now suppose that F=K(x1,…,xn) where 0=xi2=ai∈K. Show that F/K is a Galois extension, with Galois group isomorphic to (Z/2Z)m for some m⩽n. By considering the subgroups of Gal(F/K), show that if K⊂L⊂F and [L:K]=2, then L=K(y) where y=∏i∈Ixi for some subset I⊂{1,…,n}.