Get Math Help

GET TUTORING NEAR ME!

By submitting the following form, you agree to Club Z!'s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Prime Element

    Definition

    A nonzero and noninvertible element a of a ring R which generates a prime ideal. It can also be characterized by the condition that whenever a divides a product in R, a divides one of the factors. The prime elements of Z are the prime numbers P. In an integral domain, every prime element is irreducible, but the converse holds only in unique factorization domains. The ring Z[isqrt(5)], where i is the imaginary unit, is not a unique factorization domain, and there the element 2 is irreducible, but not prime, since 2 divides the product (1 - isqrt(5))(1 + isqrt(5)) = 6, but it does not divide any of the factors.

    Find the right fit or it’s free.

    We guarantee you’ll find the right tutor, or we’ll cover the first hour of your lesson.