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In Cox's book "Primes of the form $x^2 + ny^2 $..." gives the following statement of Artin reciprocity theorem, for the Hilbert class field (i.e. maximal unramified Abelian extension)

Artin's reciprocity theorem: If $L$ is the Hilbert class field of a number field $K$, then the Artin map

$$ \left ( \frac { L/K}{ \cdot} \right) : J_K \to \text{Gal}(L/K)$$ is surjective, and its kernel is the subgroup $P_K$ of principal fractional ideals. Thus, the Artin map induces an isomorphism:

$$ Cl_K = J_K / P_K \cong \text{Gal}(L/K)$$

Question: Why this theorem is called reciprocity ? To be more precisy, my question is what this theorem actually says, and why is this a reciprocity law i.e how is this connected to the classical quadratic reciprocity law that we know from elementary number theory, and why Artin's law is a generalization of this.

Thank you in advance.

passenger
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    For background, see the Wikipedia page on Artin reciprocity for an introduction (it generalizes classical reciprocity laws). For historical motivation the the article cited there by G. Frei. For a simpler introduction see this Monthly exposition: B. F. Wyman, What is a reciprocity law? – Bill Dubuque May 03 '15 at 14:52
  • The problem is that the quadratic reciprocity law is the case $\mathbb Q(\sqrt{p})|\mathbb Q$, which is not covered by the Hilbert class field statement. – Thomas Poguntke May 03 '15 at 14:53
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    Thank you for your reply. The second link for Monthly's exposition is the same as the first on one, for wiki page. – passenger May 03 '15 at 14:54
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    @passenger Try again (link was already fixed). – Bill Dubuque May 03 '15 at 14:55
  • I already checked wiki page. My question basically is, what this theorem say's, and why is this a generalization of the classical quadratic reciprocity law ? Thank you. – passenger May 03 '15 at 14:57
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    @passenger You should state that more clearly in your question. Also it would be helpful to know what your level of knowedge is. – Bill Dubuque May 03 '15 at 15:00
  • @BillDubuque: I apologize for this. I will edit the question. I know basic things from algebraic number theory, and in particular what is in Cox's book (chapter 5 - Hilbert class field), which is the place where I found this. – passenger May 03 '15 at 15:03
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    http://math.stackexchange.com/questions/265392/eisenstein-and-quadratic-reciprocity-as-a-consequence-of-artin-reciprocity-and – Álvaro Lozano-Robledo May 03 '15 at 18:30

2 Answers2

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The statement which you refer to as Artin Reciprocity, is actually a consequence of Artin Reciprocity. The actual Artin Reciprocity Theorem is the one found on Theorem 8.2 of Cox's book. Using this result, Cox proves the classical quadratic reciprocity in Theorem 8.12. Then in Theorem 8.14 he states strong reciprocity, and this is the statement which shows the power of the Artin Reciprocity map and why the theorem bears the name reciprocity. Cox gives a short excerpt on cubic reciprocity after 8.12 and you can get $n$-th reciprocity through local computations of the Hilbert Symbol.

ABarrios
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I would also recommend chapter XI, "History of class field theory", in Cassels-Fröhlich's book "Algebraic Number Theory", Academic Press, 1967, where Hasse relates Hilbert's view of class field theory as a "theory of relatively abelian fields" to "the problem of the higher reciprocity laws, handed down from Gauss, Jacobi, Eisenstein and Kummer".

nguyen quang do
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