A Euclidean domain is an RR equipped with a function δ:R∖{0}→N\delta:R\setminus\{0\}\to \mathbb{N} such that for all a∈Ra\in R and b∈R∖{0}b\in R\setminus\{0\}, there exist q,r∈Rq,r\in R with a=bq+ra=bq+r and either r=0r=0 or δ(r)<δ(b)\delta(r)<\delta(b).

Remarks

This “division algorithm” implies the and ensures existence of . In particular, every Euclidean domain is a (see ).

Examples
  • Z\mathbb{Z} with δ(n)=∣n∣\delta(n)=|n| is Euclidean.
  • If kk is a field, then k[x]k[x] is Euclidean with δ(f)=deg⁡(f)\delta(f)=\deg(f) for f≠0f\neq 0.
  • k[x,y]k[x,y] is not Euclidean (it is not even a PID).