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Let $K$ be an algebraic number field, $f(x) = 0$ an algebraic equation over $K$ of degree $n \ge 2$ with only simple roots $x_1, \dotsc, x_n$, and $L \mathrel{:=} K[x_1, \dots, x_n]$ the splitting field of this equation over $K$. Any $y \in L$ then has a representation $$y = P(x_1, \dotsc, x_n)\label{1}\tag{1}$$ with $P = P(X_1, \dotsc, X_n) \in K[X_1, \dotsc, X_n]$ a polynomial in the $n$ indeterminates $X_1, \dotsc, X_n$ over $K$. Such an element is also called a rational function of the roots — this being a priori a quotient $Q(x_1, \dotsc, x_n)/R(x_1,\dotsc, x_n)$, but such an expression can always be rewritten as a polynomial $P(x_1, \dotsc, x_n)$ —. A resolvent for the equation $f(x) = 0$ is then an expression $t = P(x_1, \dotsc, x_n)$ having, in classical parlance, the property that any rational function of the roots can be expressed as a rational function of $t$, or being, in modern terminology, a primitive element of the field extension $L:K$ (for this and what follows see [1]).

This notion goes back to Lagrange and Galois, and was taken by the latter as the point of departure of his theory of the solvability of equations (later vigorously exorcised by Dedekind and Artin, making the theory questionably more elegant and unquestionably much more impenetrable). The point of departure for obtaining, in return, such a resolvent, was the following observation. Fix once and for all an enumeration of the roots as $x_1, \dotsc, x_n$. Any permutation $\sigma \in \mathfrak{S}_n$ operates on the polynomials $P \in K[X_1, \dotsc, X_n]$ via $P \mapsto P^{\sigma}$ with $$P^{\sigma}(X_1, \dotsc, X_n) \mathrel{:=} P(X_{\sigma(1)}, \dotsc, X_{\sigma(1)}).$$ Thus to any $y \in L$ with a given representation \eqref{1} there is attached a bunch of at most $n!$ different values $y^{\sigma} \mathrel{:=} P^{\sigma}(x_1, \dotsc, x_n)$. There are two basic claims:

  • (C1) If the values $t^{\sigma}$ are pairwise different, so that there are exactly $n!$ different ones, then $t$ is a resolvent;

  • (C2) for every degree $d \ge 1$ (and even only $\mathbb{Z}$-coefficients), the generic polynomial $P$ gives $t = P(x_1, \dots, x_n)$ satisfying (C1), thus yielding a resolvent.

Here, "generic" means "not satisfying a certain nontrivial polynomial relation".

Now the condition (C1) is initially only sufficient, and the property of being a resolvent does not make use of the special representation \eqref{1}, so it is a priori possible that there is a representation $t = Q(x_1, \dots, x_n)$ not satisfying (C2) with $t$ still being a resolvent.

Question:

Can this happen?

[1] Edwards, H.M., Galois Theory (Graduate Texts in Mathematics 101). Springer 1984

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    $\begingroup$ Despite your definition, I don't know what "generic" means. Which relation is "a certain nontrivial polynomial relation"? What does it mean to speak of whether a polynomial (which is what you are calling generic) satisfies a polynomial relation? $\endgroup$
    – LSpice
    Commented Aug 4, 2020 at 1:15
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    $\begingroup$ Also, since you edited it back in you obviously want it, so I apologise for an edit that went against your intentions; but "a bunch of at most $n!$ different values" is not usual English. Usually one would say something like "a bunch of different values, at most $n!$" or just "at most $n!$ different values". $\endgroup$
    – LSpice
    Commented Aug 4, 2020 at 15:36
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    $\begingroup$ Hopefully useful reference on non-modern Galois Theory, arxiv.org/abs/1301.7116 $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 4, 2020 at 20:00
  • $\begingroup$ (C1) is only necessary for a primitive element when $n!$ is the degree of the extension $L/K$. But there are examples of degree $3$ Galois extensions, and $n!$ never equals $3$. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 5, 2020 at 13:14
  • $\begingroup$ Let $K=L=\mathbb{Q}$ and take $f(x)=x(x-1)$. Thus, the two roots can be ordered as $x_1=0,x_2=1$. Any polynomial $Q(X_1,X_2)$ will yield a primitive element for this extension when we evaluate at $x_1,x_2$. $\endgroup$ Commented Aug 5, 2020 at 17:13

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