Ideal Class Group

Ideal Class Group

In mathematics, the extent to which unique factorization fails in the ring of integers of an algebraic number field (or more generally any Dedekind domain) can be described by a certain group known as an ideal class group (or class group). If this group is finite (as it is in the case of the ring of integers of a number field), then the order of the group is called the class number. The multiplicative theory of a Dedekind domain is intimately tied to the structure of its class group. For example, the class group of a Dedekind domain is trivial if and only if the ring is a unique factorization domain.

Read more about Ideal Class Group:  History and Origin of The Ideal Class Group, Definition, Properties, Relation With The Group of Units, Examples of Ideal Class Groups, Connections To Class Field Theory

Famous quotes containing the words ideal, class and/or group:

    I think the ideal situation for a family is to be completely incestuous.
    William Burroughs (b. 1914)

    No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal.
    Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)

    The boys think they can all be athletes, and the girls think they can all be singers. That’s the way to fame and success. ...as a group blacks must give up their illusions.
    Kristin Hunter (b. 1931)