On a Theorem of Hermite and Joubert

http://dx.doi.org/10.4153/CJM-1999-005-x
Canad. J. Math. 51(1999), 69-95

  Published:1999-02-01
 Printed: Feb 1999

A classical theorem of Hermite and Joubert asserts that any field extension of degree $n=5$ or $6$ is generated by an element whose minimal polynomial is of the form $\lambda^n + c_1 \lambda^{n-1} + \cdots + c_{n-1} \lambda + c_n$ with $c_1=c_3=0$. We show that this theorem fails for $n=3^m$ or $3^m + 3^l$ (and more generally, for $n = p^m$ or $p^m + p^l$, if 3 is replaced by another prime $p$), where $m > l \geq 0$. We also prove a similar result for division algebras and use it to study the structure of the universal division algebra $\UD (n)$. We also prove a similar result for division algebras and use it to study the structure of the universal division algebra $\UD(n)$.