What is a prime polynomial?

Answer 1

A prime polynomial is a polynomial that cannot be factored into the product of two non-constant polynomials over its coefficient field. In other words, it has no divisors other than itself and the unit (constant) polynomials. For example, in the field of real numbers, (x^2 + 1) is a prime polynomial because it cannot be factored into real linear factors. Conversely, polynomials like (x^2 - 1) are not prime because they can be factored as ((x - 1)(x + 1)).