Ring
\(<set, *, +>\): generalizes \(<Z, *, +>\). Division ring.
Ideal I of Ring R
Eg: Even numbers, multiples of 3 or 4. Principle Ideal is generated by 1 number.
Polynomial ring
The set of polynomials with coefficients taken from a field is a commutative ring. (Z/2Z)(t).
Field
Division ring with commutative *. Eg: Q, R, C; not Z.
For prime p: GF(p) or Z/pZ or \(F_{p}\) or \(Z_{p}\): contains both additive, multiplicative subgroup (\(F^{*}\)); Euclid’s alg proves inverse for latter. \(Z/p^{n}Z : n>1\) not a field.
Size of any finite field is a prime power (Find proof); A finite field is a vector space in n dimensions. 2 equisized finite fields are isomorphic.
Polynomial representation of \htext{\(GF(p^n)\){GF p n}}
Eg: \(GF(p^{2}): (Z/2Z)(t)/ (t^{2}+1)\) is a finite field. The elements are from the polynomial ring. Operations are performed modulo the polynomial.
Ordered field
Field which is also an ordered set, with \(x+y < x+z\) if \(y<z\) and \(xy>0\) if both above 0.
So, \(x^{2}>0\); multiplication by +ve (but not -ve) x maintains inequality direction; for \(0<x<y\), \(0<y^{-1}<x^{-1}\).
Linear algebra over a field
See linear algebr survey.