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Questions tagged [class-field-theory]

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58 votes
9 answers
16k views

Learning Class Field Theory: Local or Global First?

I've noticed that there seem to be two approaches to learning class field theory. The first is to first learn about local fields and local class field theory, and then prove the basic theorems about ...
David Corwin's user avatar
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74 votes
10 answers
18k views

Intuition for Group Cohomology

I'm beginning to learn cohomology for cyclic groups in preparation for use in the proofs of global class field theory (using ideal-theoretic arguments). I've seen the proof of the long exact sequence ...
David Corwin's user avatar
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44 votes
2 answers
7k views

Why is Class Field Theory the same as Langlands for GL_1?

I've heard many people say that class field theory is the same as the Langlands conjectures for GL_1 (and more specifically, that local Langlands for GL_1 is the same as local class field theory). ...
David Corwin's user avatar
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21 votes
3 answers
1k views

The Teichmüller's algebraic interpretation of $H^3$ in group cohomology

In the book "Cohomology of Groups" of Kenneth S. Brown, it is told in the introduction that Teichmüller arrived to $H^3$ in an algebraic context, i.e. that Teichmüller worked with an ...
Josué Tonelli-Cueto's user avatar
67 votes
17 answers
12k views

Shortest/Most elegant proof for $L(1,\chi)\neq 0$

Let $\chi$ be a Dirichlet character and $L(1,\chi)$ the associated L-function evaluated at $s=1$. What would be the 'shortest' proof of the non-vanishing of $L(1,\chi)$? Background: The non-vanishing ...
M.G.'s user avatar
  • 7,127
66 votes
8 answers
12k views

Why are powers of $\exp(\pi\sqrt{163})$ almost integers?

I've been prodded to ask a question expanding this one on Ramanujan's constant $R=\exp(\pi\sqrt{163})$. Recall that $R$ is very close to an integer; specifically $R=262537412640768744 - \epsilon$ ...
Michael Lugo's user avatar
26 votes
4 answers
3k views

Why do congruence conditions not suffice to determine which primes split in non-abelian extensions?

How does one prove that the splitting of primes in a non-abelian extension of number fields is not determined by congruence conditions?
user avatar
34 votes
4 answers
3k views

$A_5$-extension of number fields unramified everywhere

So I was having tea with a colleague immensely more talented than myself and we were discussing his teaching algebraic number theory. He told me that he had given a few examples of abelian and ...
Olivier's user avatar
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32 votes
1 answer
4k views

Integers not represented by $ 2 x^2 + x y + 3 y^2 + z^3 - z $

EDIT, 9 March 2014: when I asked this in 2010, I did not have the courage of my convictions, and so did not ask for an if and only if proof, as Kevin Buzzard quite properly pointed out. Such problems ...
Will Jagy's user avatar
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29 votes
9 answers
15k views

Suggestions for good books on class field theory

Recently I tried to learn class field theory, but I find it is difficult. I have read the book "Algebraic Number Theory" by J. W. S. Cassels and A. Frohlich. In the book, the approach to class field ...
9 votes
2 answers
882 views

transfer kernels and the Schur multiplier

Let $\Gamma$ be a finite $2$-group, and let $G$ be any subgroup of index $2$. Moreover, let Ver$: \Gamma/\Gamma' \to G/G'$ denote the group theoretical transfer, and let $M(\Gamma)$ be the Schur ...
Franz Lemmermeyer's user avatar
7 votes
1 answer
829 views

Parity of class number of pure cubic fields

A pure cubic field is an algebraic number field of the form $K = \mathbb{Q}(\theta)$ with $\theta^3 = m$, $m \neq \pm 1$. What can be said about the parity (odd or even) of the class number of a pure ...
Reiterman's user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
506 views

Euler Systems and Coleman’s Conjecture

I’m trying to work on Coleman’s conjecture for abelian extensions of imaginary quadratic fields. I’ve read most papers by Seo regarding circular distributions. However, I’m a still confused about what ...
Ash's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
2k views

2-class group of a quadratic imaginary extension

Let $p\equiv 5 [8]$ be a prime number, and consider $K=\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-p})$. I would like to check that the $2$-Sylow subgroup of the class group $C_K$ has order $2$ (I'm pretty sure it's true). ...
GreginGre's user avatar
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73 votes
2 answers
10k views

Please check my 6-line proof of Fermat's Last Theorem.

Kidding, kidding. But I do have a question about an $n$-line outline of a proof of the first case of FLT, with $n$ relatively small. Here's a result of Eichler (remark after Theorem 6.23 in ...
Cam McLeman's user avatar
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50 votes
13 answers
6k views

Erratum for Cassels-Froehlich

Edit 25 April 2010: I have a physical copy of the new printing of the book. I can only assume the LMS is now selling it (but have no details). IMPORTANT EDIT: THE RESULTS ARE IN! Ok, the deadline has ...
42 votes
2 answers
5k views

Motivating Lubin-Tate theory

The Lubin-Tate theory gives an amazingly clean and streamlined way of constructing the subfield (usually denoted) $F_\pi\subset F^\mathrm{ab}$ for a local field $F$ fixed by the Artin map associated ...
Stiofán Fordham's user avatar
38 votes
1 answer
2k views

Degree 17 number fields ramified only at 2

The number $17$ is the smallest odd number that occurs as the degree of a number field $K/\mathbb{Q}$ for which the only finite prime that ramifies is $2$. The non-existence for $n < 17$ follows ...
Jeremy Rouse's user avatar
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37 votes
5 answers
6k views

Tips on cohomology for number theory

I am curious about what is a good approach to the machinery of cohomology, especially in number-theoretic settings, but also in algebraic-geometric settings. Do people just remember all the rules and ...
37 votes
3 answers
5k views

Topological Langlands?

In a workshop about the geometry of $\mathbb{F}_1$ I attended recently, it came up a question related to a mysterious but "not-so-secret-anymore" seminar about... an hypothetical Topological Langlands ...
Jose Brox's user avatar
  • 2,992
36 votes
1 answer
3k views

Artin reciprocity $\implies $ Cubic reciprocity

I asked this on math.SE a few days ago with no reply, so I'm reposting it here. Hope this is not considered too elementary for MO (feel free to close if so). I'm trying to understand the proof of ...
Evan Chen's user avatar
  • 1,207
35 votes
5 answers
9k views

A reference for geometric class field theory?

The classic reference of this topic is Serre's Algebraic Groups and Class Fields. However, many parts of this book use Weil's language, which I find quite hard to follow. Is there another reference ...
QcH's user avatar
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24 votes
1 answer
3k views

On the history of the Artin Reciprocity Law

At the beginning of Milne's notes on class field theory, he has a quote by Emil Artin (as recalled by Mattuck in Recountings: Conversations with MIT mathematicians): I will tell you a story about ...
Asvin's user avatar
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23 votes
1 answer
2k views

Any open Langlands Conjectures for GL_1?

Are there any general conjectures/properties (in the Langlands Program) for automorphic representations of $GL_n$ which are still open for $n=1$?
Eins Null's user avatar
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22 votes
1 answer
2k views

Can one prove complex multiplication without assuming CFT?

The Kronecker-Weber Theorem, stating that any abelian extension of $\mathbb Q$ is contained in a cyclotomic extension, is a fairly easy consequence of Artin reciprocity in class field theory (one just ...
David Corwin's user avatar
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20 votes
1 answer
1k views

Class number parity in pure cubic number fields

Consider the family of pure cubic number fields $K = {\mathbb Q}(\sqrt[3]{m})$ for $m = a^3 \pm 3$. Proposition. If $4 \mid a$ and $m$ is cubefree, then the class number of $K$ is even. Proof. Let $...
Franz Lemmermeyer's user avatar
19 votes
3 answers
2k views

Where does the principal ideal theorem (from CFT) go?

My impression is that one of the celebrated results of class field theory the principal ideal theorem namely that given a number field $K$ and its maximum unramified abelian extension L, every ideal ...
Jonah Sinick's user avatar
  • 7,062
18 votes
5 answers
2k views

What is the "ray" in ray class group?

I have never seen any algebraic number theory book discuss the origin of the term "ray class group." Does anyone know where the word "ray" comes from in this context? I always thought it might be a ...
David Corwin's user avatar
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18 votes
1 answer
1k views

Embedding number fields in fields with class number 1

(Apologies if this question isn't quite research-level: a colleague came across it while preparing a non-examinable bonus lecture on class field theory for an undergraduate algebraic number theory ...
David Loeffler's user avatar
15 votes
5 answers
4k views

Given a number field $K$, when is its Hilbert class field an abelian extension of $\mathbb{Q}$?

Given a number field $K$, when is its Hilbert class field an abelian extension of $\mathbb{Q}$? I am going to be on the road soon, so pleas don't be offended if I don't respond quickly to a comment.
Scarlet's user avatar
  • 203
14 votes
2 answers
1k views

Class groups in dihedral extensions - some sort of Spiegelungssatz?

Let $p$ be an odd prime and let $F/\mathbb{Q}$ be a Galois extension with Galois group $D_{2p}$, let $K$ be the intermediate quadratic extension of $\mathbb{Q}$, and $L$ an intermediate degree $p$ ...
Alex B.'s user avatar
  • 13k
14 votes
5 answers
3k views

What is the "reason" for modularity results?

The question is a little wishy-washy, but I take my cues from other popular questions that relate to the philosophy behind the mathematics as Why do Groups and Abelian Groups feel so different? . I ...
12 votes
0 answers
767 views

What numbers are integrally represented by $4 x^2 + 2 x y + 7 y^2 - z^3$

This is related to my first MO question and Kevin Buzzard's conjecture at Integers not represented by $ 2 x^2 + x y + 3 y^2 + z^3 - z $ In December 2010 my question appeared in the M.A.A. Monthly, ...
Will Jagy's user avatar
  • 25.7k
12 votes
3 answers
2k views

What makes Geometric CFT easier than CFT?

I've been reading: math.stanford.edu/~conrad/249BPage/handouts/geomcft.pdf in an attempt to shed some geometric light on class field theory. The last paragraph there reads: In case the ground field $...
Makhalan Duff's user avatar
10 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why are we defining character groups differently for additive and multiplicative group in Tate's thesis?

Context: I've just started reading Tate's thesis. In it, we start with a local field $k.$ The aim of the section is to describe the structure of the character groups of $k^+$ (the additive group) and $...
Rits's user avatar
  • 133
10 votes
1 answer
707 views

Tables of class numbers of cyclotomic fields

Does anyone have a table of the class numbers ($h_n$) of cyclotomic fields (upto say, n = 250-300 for $\mathbb Q(\mu_n)$)? I can find tables for the relative class number ($h_n^-$) in various places ...
Asvin's user avatar
  • 7,746
10 votes
4 answers
2k views

Origins of functional field arithmetic

Background: By function field, we mean a finite extension of the field of rational functions of one variable over a finite field with $p$ elements. Classfield theory for function fields was ...
Regenbogen's user avatar
  • 1,417
9 votes
1 answer
827 views

how to compute Hilbert class field of $\Bbb Q(\zeta_{23})$?

I want to construct the Hilbert class field of $K=\Bbb Q(\zeta_{23}).$ I have no clue how to construct it except that I know that $[H(K):K]=3$ from Sage. Any references or comments are appreciated.
user11333's user avatar
  • 343
9 votes
0 answers
889 views

How many ways are there to teach class field theory?

I will soon have to teach class field theory (I do not know whether it will be local or global yet:)) to postgraduate students. I wonder, which approaches to this subject(s) exist now. I definitely ...
Mikhail Bondarko's user avatar
8 votes
3 answers
2k views

Maximal (non-abelian) extensions of number fields unramified everywhere

Hello! Let $K$ be a number field. All abelian unramified extensions are contained in the Hilbert class field which is a finite extension 'maximal' with respect to this property. For general ...
Maurizio Monge's user avatar
8 votes
1 answer
1k views

Numbers integrally represented by a ternary cubic form

Given integers $a,b,c,$ and cubic form $$ f(a,b,c) = a^3 + b^3 + c^3 + a^2 b - a b^2 + 3 a^2 c - a c^2 + b^2 c - b c^2 - 4 a b c $$ $$ f(a,b,c) = \det \left( \begin{array}{ccc} a & b &...
Will Jagy's user avatar
  • 25.7k
8 votes
1 answer
588 views

Globalizing local field extensions with controlled ramification

Let $K_1/k_1, \ldots, K_r/k_r$ be "separable cyclic" extensions of degree $n$ where each $k_i$ is a local field of characteristic 0 (archimedean or not). By separable cyclic of degree $n$, I mean the ...
Kimball's user avatar
  • 6,039
7 votes
1 answer
526 views

A prime ideal $\mathfrak{p}$ decomposes in $\mathbb{Q}(\zeta_{24})/\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-6})$ iff it is generated by $\alpha\in1+2\Bbb{Z}[\sqrt{-6}]$

For a nonzero prime ideal $\mathfrak{p}$ of $\mathbb{Z}[\sqrt{-6}]$ which does not divide $2$, does $\mathfrak{p}$ decompose completely in the extension $\mathbb{Q}(\zeta_{24})/\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-6})$ ...
user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
354 views

Finite Nontrivial Unramified Towers of Number Fields

Let $F$ be a number field and $L=F^{un}$ its maximal unramified extension. By Class Field Theory, $$Gal(L/F)^{ab}\cong Cl(F).$$ It's well-known that we can have $[L:F]=1$ (e.g. $F=\mathbb{Q}$), and $[...
user38495's user avatar
  • 1,062
6 votes
1 answer
1k views

Set of quadratic forms that represents all primes

A SPECIFIC CASE: Any prime number can be classified as either $p \equiv 1 \pmod 3$ or $p \equiv 2 \pmod 3$. If $p = 3$ or $p = 1 \pmod 3$, then the prime $p$ can be represented by the quadratic form $ ...
Consider Non-Trivial Cases's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
812 views

Density of primes of degree one in Bauer's Theorem (Application of Chebotarev Density)

Let $L$ be a Galois extension of $\mathbb{Q}$ and $M$ a finite extension of $\mathbb{Q}$, both of degrees $> 1$. A Theorem of Bauer tells that $Spl_1(M)\subset Spl(L)$ up to a finite number of ...
Marc's user avatar
  • 51
5 votes
1 answer
697 views

Why is Kronecker's Jugendtraum only for abelian extensions?

Why is Kronecker's Jugendtraum only for abelian and not for more general extensions of number fields? Wikipedia, Hilbert's Twelfth Problem.
user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
260 views

Positive Primes represented by an indefinite binary form, reducing poly degree from 8 to 4

In his lovely answer at Positive primes represented by indefinite binary quadratic form Noam found that a (positive) odd prime $p$ is represented by the indefinite form $x^2 + 13 x y - 9 y^2$ if and ...
Will Jagy's user avatar
  • 25.7k
4 votes
0 answers
309 views

Reference for: power residue symbols are Hecke characters

Notation. Let $n$ be a positive integer, let $\mu_n\subseteq \mathbb C$ be the set of $N$-th roots of unity, let $K$ be a number field containing $\mu_n$, let $R$ be the ring of integers of $K$, let $...
Luca Ghidelli's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
267 views

Norm groups of number fields

I came across this proposition in an article about genus class fields. I have a few questions about the parts that I have underlined in red. I don't understand why the norm map $N_{H/K}: I_H \to P_K$ ...
Melanka's user avatar
  • 577