(a) Let L be a number field, and suppose there exists α∈OL such that OL=Z[α]. Let f(X)∈Z[X] denote the minimal polynomial of α, and let p be a prime. Let fˉ(X)∈(Z/pZ)[X] denote the reduction modulo p of f(X), and let
fˉ(X)=gˉ1(X)e1⋯gˉr(X)er
denote the factorisation of fˉ(X) in (Z/pZ)[X] as a product of powers of distinct monic irreducible polynomials gˉ1(X),…,gˉr(X), where e1,…,er are all positive integers.
For each i=1,…,r, let gi(X)∈Z[X] be any polynomial with reduction modulo p equal to gˉi(X), and let Pi=(p,gi(α))⊂OL. Show that P1,…,Pr are distinct, non-zero prime ideals of OL, and that there is a factorisation
pOL=P1e1⋯Prer
and that N(Pi)=pdeggˉi(X).
(b) Let K be a number field of degree n=[K:Q], and let p be a prime. Suppose that there is a factorisation
pOK=Q1⋯Qs
where Q1,…,Qs are distinct, non-zero prime ideals of OK with N(Qi)=p for each i= 1,…,s. Use the result of part (a) to show that if n>p then there is no α∈OK such that OK=Z[α].