8 Statement 1 | R is a splitting field of some polynomial over Q. Statement 2 | There is a field with 60 elements.

Answer: Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1: Analyze Statement 1

A splitting field of a polynomial f(x)f(x) over a field FF is the smallest field extension of FF over which f(x)f(x) splits into linear factors. If R\mathbb{R} were a splitting field of some polynomial over Q\mathbb{Q}, then R\mathbb{R} would be a finite extension of Q\mathbb{Q}. However, R\mathbb{R} is an infinite extension of Q\mathbb{Q} (it is uncountable, while any finite extension of Q\mathbb{Q} is countable). Therefore, R\mathbb{R} cannot be a splitting field of any polynomial over Q\mathbb{Q}.

Step 2: Analyze Statement 2

A fundamental theorem in field theory states that a finite field with qq elements exists if and only if qq is a prime power, i.e., q=pnq = p^n for some prime number pp and positive integer nn. We need to check if 60 can be expressed in this form. The prime factorization of 60 is 22⋅3⋅52^2 \cdot 3 \cdot 5. Since 60 is not a prime power, there is no field with 60 elements.

Step 3: Conclusion

Based on the analysis of each statement, both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are false.

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