Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2010
Let R be an integral domain with quotient field K and let X be an indeterminate. A result of W. C. Waterhouse states that, if each quadratic polynomial f ∈ R[X] which factors into linear polynomials in K[X] also factors into linear polynomials in R[X], then every irreducible element in R is prime. In this note the rings which satisfy the hypothesis of this theorem are characterized, and compared to the rings for which each polynomial f ∈ R[X] which factors into two polynomials of positive degree in K[X] also factors into two polynomials of positive degree in R[X]. Relevant examples are furnished via the pullback construction.