Unit (ring theory)In algebra, a unit or invertible element of a ring is an invertible element for the multiplication of the ring. That is, an element u of a ring R is a unit if there exists v in R such that where 1 is the multiplicative identity; the element v is unique for this property and is called the multiplicative inverse of u. The set of units of R forms a group R^× under multiplication, called the group of units or unit group of R. Other notations for the unit group are R∗, U(R), and E(R) (from the German term Einheit).
Fundamental unit (number theory)In algebraic number theory, a fundamental unit is a generator (modulo the roots of unity) for the unit group of the ring of integers of a number field, when that group has rank 1 (i.e. when the unit group modulo its torsion subgroup is infinite cyclic). Dirichlet's unit theorem shows that the unit group has rank 1 exactly when the number field is a real quadratic field, a complex cubic field, or a totally imaginary quartic field. When the unit group has rank ≥ 1, a basis of it modulo its torsion is called a fundamental system of units.
Quadratic fieldIn algebraic number theory, a quadratic field is an algebraic number field of degree two over , the rational numbers. Every such quadratic field is some where is a (uniquely defined) square-free integer different from and . If , the corresponding quadratic field is called a real quadratic field, and, if , it is called an imaginary quadratic field or a complex quadratic field, corresponding to whether or not it is a subfield of the field of the real numbers.
Théorie algébrique des nombresEn mathématiques, la théorie algébrique des nombres est la branche de la théorie des nombres utilisant des outils issus de l'algèbre. Son origine est l'étude des nombres entiers et particulièrement les équations diophantiennes. Pour en résoudre certaines, il est utile de considérer d'autres entiers, dits algébriques. Un exemple est donné par le théorème des deux carrés de Fermat utilisant les entiers de Gauss. Ces ensembles sont équipés de deux lois — une addition et une multiplication — qui vérifient les mêmes propriétés élémentaires que les entiers relatifs : on parle d'anneaux.
