Tuesday, August 14, 2018


August 14, 2018 Tuesday

Bedtime Story 


Galois group in a Quartic Polynomial 


Last night we had got the first taste of Galois group related to a simple quadratic equation.

Even though not complete, now you will begin to get the concept of group as applied to the roots of polynomials.

The previous example was a simple quadratic equation wherein first we had arrived at the roots of the polynomial then sought ways to relate them algebraically and then consider if that relationship remains intact if we switch their positions in the algebraic relationship.

We can now advance to a higher degree of polynomial, namely quartic.      

Let us look at the following polynomial.

     x4 – 10x2 + 1

The polynomial can also be re-written in a square form as as follows:

   (x2 – 5)2 - 24

This polynomial has four roots which are as follows:

√2 + √3

√2 - √3

-√2 + √3

-√2 - √3

We can label them as A, B, C and D respectively in the same manner that we did last time.

Now let us see what kind of valid algebraic equations can be made with these four roots given above.

Following relationships come to the mind.

AB = -1

AC = 1 

A + D = 0

It has to be born in mind that in order to belong to Galois group, they must preserve the algebraic equation with rational coefficients.

From this, one then goes one to derive the Galois group and see if the group is solvable.

How it is done I cannot explain for that requires in depth knowledge of group mathematics of which I have no qualification.

If the Galois group of a polynomial equation is solvable then so too is its corresponding polynomial equation by radicals.

With this I am sure you will get some sense of group theory with respect to abstract algebra and polynomials.

Now we need to establish the link of group theory with the mathematics of symmetry.

One particularly interesting thing that Galois Theory does when it describes group solvability is that it describes the symmetries of the roots of the polynomials.

The term ‘symmetries of the roots’ will need some explanation and only time will tell if I shall be able to explain that you in future.

Stay tuned to the voice of an average story storytelling chimpanzee or login at http://panarrans.blogspot.com
                              
Good night Mon Ami and my fellow cousin ape.
                           
  
                

             












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Another great educator and a teacher that I am aware of is Professor Subhashish Chattopadhyay in Bangalore, India.

While I narrate stories, Professor Subhashish an electronic engineer and a former professor at BARC, does and teaches real mathematics and physics.

He started the participation of Indian students at the International Physics Olympiad.

Do visit him here:


All his books can be downloaded for free through this link:


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