TITLE: When is $X^n-a$ is irreducible over F?
QUESTION [23 upvotes]: Let $F$ be a field, let $\omega$ be a primitive $n$th root of unity in an algebraic closure of $F$. If $a$ in $F$ is not an $m$th power in $F(\omega)$ for any $m\gt 1$ that divides $n$, how to show that $x^n -a$ is irreducible over $F$?

REPLY [19 votes]: Below is a classical result:
Theorem $\ $ Suppose $\,c\in F\,$ a field,  and $\,0 < n\in\mathbb Z$.
$\ \ \ x^n - c\ $ is irreducible over $F\! \iff c \not\in F^p\,$ for all primes $\,p\mid n,\,$ and $\ c\not\in -4F^4$ when $\, 4\mid n$
A proof is in many Field Theory textbooks, e.g. Karpilovsky, Topics in Field Theory, Theorem 8.1.6.