Minimal Polynomial/Examples/Root (2 plus Root 3)

Examples of Minimal Polynomials
Let $\theta = \sqrt {2 + \sqrt 3}$.

The minimal polynomial of $\theta$ in $\Q$ is $x^4 - 4 x + 1$.

Hence $\index {\map \Q \theta} \Q = 4$.

Proof
From Algebraic Number: $\sqrt {2 + \sqrt 3}$, $\sqrt {2 + \sqrt 3}$ is algebraic over $\R$, and is a root of:
 * $\map P x := x^4 - 4 x + 1$

The only possible divisor of $\map P x$ of degree $1$ are $x \pm 1$, which are seen not to actually divide $\map P x$.

Hence if $\map P x$ could be factorised, it would be as:
 * $\paren {x^2 + a x + 1} \paren {x^2 + b x + 1}$

or:
 * $\paren {x^2 - a x + 1} \paren {x^2 - b x + 1}$

and it is found by inspection that there are no $a, b \in \Z_{>0}$ which would fit.

So $\map P x$ has no divisors with integer coefficients.

It follows from Factors of Polynomial with Integer Coefficients have Integer Coefficients that $a$ and $b$ cannot be rational.

Hence $\map P x$ is irreducible over $\Q$.

Hence the result, by definition of minimal polynomial.