- Research Article
- 10.1080/00029890.2026.2630520
Computing Minimal Euclidean Functions in Imaginary Quadratic Fields
- Apr 02, 2026
- The American Mathematical Monthly
- Hester Graves
We all should learn in our abstract algebra classes that every Euclidean domain R has a minimal Euclidean function, ϕ R . Our short history starts with their introduction via Motzkin’s Lemma and moves onto Lenstra’s categorization of Euclidean functions in imaginary quadratic number fields. We examine computing minimal Euclidean functions in these fields, and apply them in short, easy proofs of standard results. Using the author’s simple formula for ϕ Z [ i ] , the only explicitly computable minimal Euclidean function the author knows for a number field other than Q , we apply the pre-images’ geometry to give a new elementary proof affirming Lenstra’s algebraic description of these sets. Figures illustrate the definitions and arguments.
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