Definition:Algebraic Number

Definition

An algebraic number is an algebraic element of the field extension $\C/\Q$.

That is, it is a complex number that is a root of a polynomial with rational coefficients.

The set of algebraic number can often be seen denoted as $\mathbb A$.

Degree

Let $\alpha$ be an algebraic number.

By definition, $\alpha$ is the root of at least one polynomial $P_n$ with rational coefficients.

The degree of $\alpha$ is the smallest $n$ such that $n$ is the degree of such a polynomial $P_n$.

Examples

The algebraic numbers include the following:

Rational Number is Algebraic

Let $r \in \Q$ be a rational number.

Then $r$ is also an algebraic number.

$\sqrt 2$ is Algebraic

$\sqrt 2$ is an algebraic element over the integers $\Z$.

$\sqrt [3] {2 + \sqrt 2}$ is Algebraic

$\sqrt [3] {2 + \sqrt 2}$ is an algebraic number.

$\sqrt [3] 2 + \sqrt 3$ is Algebraic

$\sqrt [3] 2 + \sqrt 3$ is an algebraic number.

$\sqrt 3 + \sqrt 2$ is Algebraic

$\sqrt 3 + \sqrt 2$ is an algebraic number.

$2 - \sqrt 2 i$ is Algebraic

$2 - \sqrt 2 i$ is an algebraic number.

$\sqrt [3] 4 - 2 i$ is Algebraic

$\sqrt [3] 4 - 2 i$ is an algebraic number.

Golden Mean is Algebraic

The golden mean $\phi = \dfrac {1 + \sqrt 5} 2$ is an algebraic number.

Imaginary Unit is Algebraic

The imaginary unit $i$ is an algebraic number.

Also see

• Results about algebraic numbers can be found here.