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[parent] multiples of an algebraic number (Theorem)
Theorem 1   If $\alpha$ is an algebraic number, then there exists a non-zero multiple of $\alpha$ which is an algebraic integer.

Proof. Let $\alpha$ be a root of the equation $$x^n\!+\!r_1x^{n-1}\!+\!r_2x^{n-2}\!+\cdots+\!r_n = 0,$$ where $r_1$ , $r_2$ , ..., $r_n$ are rational numbers ($n > 0$ ). Let $l$ be the least common multiple of the denominators of the $r_j$ 's. Then we have $$0 = l^n(\alpha^n\!+\!r_1\alpha^{n-1}\!+\!r_2\alpha^{n-2}\!+\cdots+\!r_n) = (l\alpha)^n\!+\!lr_1(l\alpha)^{n-1}\!+\!l^2r_2(l\alpha)^{n-2}\!+\cdots+\!l^nr_n,$$ i.e. the multiple $l\alpha$ of $\alpha$ satisfies the algebraic equation $$x^n\!+\!lr_1x^{n-1}\!+\!l^2r_2x^{n-2}\!+\cdots+\!l^nr_n = 0$$ with rational integer coefficients.

According to the theorem, any algebraic number $\xi$ is a quotient of an algebraic integer (of the field $\mathbb{Q}(\xi)$ ) and a rational integer.




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See Also: theory of algebraic and transcendental numbers, algebraic sines and cosines


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Cross-references: field, quotient, theorem, coefficients, rational integer, algebraic equation, denominators, least common multiple, rational numbers, equation, proof, algebraic integer, algebraic number
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This is version 5 of multiples of an algebraic number, born on 2005-05-30, modified 2008-05-10.
Object id is 7126, canonical name is MultiplesOfAnAlgebraicNumber.
Accessed 1605 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC11R04 (Number theory :: Algebraic number theory: global fields :: Algebraic numbers; rings of algebraic integers)

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