TITLE: Subrings $A$ of $\mathbb{F}_p[x]$ such that $\dim_{\mathbb{F}_p}\mathbb{F}_p[x]/A=1$.
QUESTION [9 upvotes]: Suppose we have the ring $\mathbb{F}_p[x]$ of polynomials with coefficients in the Galois field with $p$ prime number elements. I want to find all subrings $A$ containing the identity such that when considered as vector spaces over $\mathbb{F}_p$, the quotient $\mathbb{F}_p[x]/A$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{F}_p$. Also want to find the isomorphism classes of these subrings. 

So far I have only been able to find one subring: the ring generated by $1,x^2,x^3$. I know that if $x\in A$, then $A=\mathbb{F}_p[x]$, so I don't want $n\cdot x$ to be in $A$. After this, trying to find other subrings, it becomes really messy from my point of view. So I don't think this might be a good way to approach the problem.
It also seems to me that we can view this as an extension problem:
$$0\rightarrow A\rightarrow \mathbb{F}_p[x]\rightarrow\mathbb{F}_p\rightarrow 0$$
And for groups, I know that using the second homology group would help if I were given $Q$ and $N$ but not $G$ in the following sequence:
$$0\rightarrow N\rightarrow G\rightarrow Q\rightarrow 0$$
My questions are if there is a standard method for computing $N$ given $G$ and $Q$, and if these methods generalize to ring extensions? Any help would be appreciated, specially references to literature.

REPLY [5 votes]: Building upon the ideas from Dirk's answer (+1) and Arthur's comment under the question.
The subring $A$ cannot contain a polynomial of degree $1$ because, as an $\Bbb{F}_p$-algebra, it would then contain $x$ and be equal to $\Bbb{F}_p[x]$. As Dirk pointed out, this implies that $\Bbb{F}_p[x]=A\oplus x\Bbb{F}_p$, and consequently there exist unique constants $a_2$ and $a_3$ such that
$$
P=x^2-a_2x, Q=x^3-a_3x\in A.
$$
It is straightforward to verify that these polynomials satisfy the relation
$$
Q^2=P^3+3a_2PQ-2a_3P^2+(a_2^3-a_2a_3)Q+(a_3^2-a_2^2a_3) P. (*)
$$
Such a relation has to exist because the space of polynomials of degree $\le6$ in $A$ and vanishing at $x=0$ has dimension five, so the set of six polynomials $P^3,Q^2,QP,P^2,Q,P$ must be linearly dependent. Finding the relation was then simple linear algebra.
The equation $(*)$ implies that the $\Bbb{F}_p[P]$-module
$$
\tilde{A}=\Bbb{F}_p[P]+Q\Bbb{F}_p[P]
$$
is actually a subring. The main point is that $(*)$ proves that $\tilde{A}$ is stable under multiplication by $Q$.
It follows easily that the set
$$
\mathcal{B}=\{P^i\mid i\in\Bbb{N}\}\cup\{QP^i\mid i\in\Bbb{N}\}
$$
is an $\Bbb{F}_p$-basis for $\tilde{A}$. Because the collection $\mathcal{B}$ has monic polynomials of degrees $0,2,3,4,\ldots,$ it follows that $\tilde{A}$ has codimension one in $\Bbb{F}_p[x]$.
Obviously $\tilde{A}\subseteq A$ so we can conclude that $A=\tilde{A}$. Equally obviously distinct choices of $a_2,a_3$ give rise to distinct subspaces $\tilde{A}$, so we arrive at the answer:

Every such subgring $A$ is determined by two parameters $a_2,a_3\in\Bbb{F}_p$ when the ring $A$ is generated by $x^2-a_2x$ and $x^3-a_3x$. Different choices for the parameters give rise to different subrings $A$.


A few closing remarks:

Dirk was definitely on the right track. He may have missed the relation $$P^2+2a_2Q-a_2^2P=x^4+(a_2^3-2a_2a_3)x,$$ that ties his $a_4$ to $a_2$ and $a_3$. Similarly, we can tie all $a_i, i>4$, to $a_2,a_3$.
Arthur was also on the right track, but missed a few possibilities. Also, when $p=2$, all the monomials $(x-a)^2$ have linear coefficient zero, so we get more. Particularly as...
... the argument seems to generalize to fields other than prime fields of a positive characteristic.