A Quantitative Primitive Element Theorem

Abstract: Let $K$ be an algebraic number field. The Primitive Element Theorem implies that the number field $K$ can be generated over the field of rational numbers by a single element of $K$. We call such an element a generator of $K$. A simple and natural question is “What is the smallest generator of a given number field?” (and how to find it!) In order to express this question more precisely, we will introduce some height functions. Then we will discuss some open problems and some recent progress in this area, including a joint project with Jeff Vaaler and Martin Widmer.

algebraic geometrynumber theory

Audience: researchers in the discipline

SFU NT-AG seminar

Series comments: The Number Theory and Algebraic Geometry (NT-AG) seminar is a research seminar dedicated to topics related to number theory and algebraic geometry hosted by the NT-AG group (Nils Bruin, Imin Chen, Stephen Choi, Katrina Honigs, Nathan Ilten, Marni Mishna).

We acknowledge the support of PIMS, NSERC, and SFU.

For Fall 2025, the organizers are Katrina Honigs and Peter McDonald.

We normally meet in-person in the indicated room. For online editions, we use Zoom and distribute the link through the mailing list. If you wish to be put on the mailing list, please subscribe to ntag-external using lists.sfu.ca