Definition:Minimal Polynomial/Definition 3

Definition

Let $L / K$ be a field extension.

Let $\alpha \in L$ be algebraic over $K$.

The minimal polynomial of $\alpha$ over $K$ is the unique monic polynomial $f \in K \sqbrk x$ that generates the kernel of the evaluation homomorphism $K \sqbrk x \to L$ at $\alpha$.

That is, such that for all $g \in K \sqbrk x$:

$\map g \alpha = 0$ if and only if $f$ divides $g$.

Also see

• Equivalence of Definitions of Minimal Polynomial
• Nonzero Ideal of Polynomial Ring over Field has Unique Monic Generator