Editing Glossary of field theory

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[[Field theory (mathematics)|Field theory]] is the branch of [[mathematics]] in which [[field (mathematics)|field]]s are studied. This is a glossary of some terms of the subject. (See [[field theory (physics)]] for the unrelated field theories in physics.)

== Definition of a field ==
A '''field''' is a [[commutative ring]] {{nowrap|(''F'', +, *)}} in which {{nowrap|0 ≠ 1}} and every nonzero element has a multiplicative inverse.  In a field we thus can perform the operations addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

The non-zero elements of a field ''F'' form an [[abelian group]] under multiplication; this group is typically denoted by ''F''<sup>×</sup>;

The [[polynomial ring|ring of polynomials]] in the variable ''x'' with coefficients in ''F'' is denoted by ''F''[''x''].

== Basic definitions ==
; [[Characteristic (algebra)|Characteristic]] : The ''characteristic'' of the field ''F'' is the smallest positive [[integer]] ''n'' such that {{nowrap|1=''n''·1 = 0}}; here ''n''·1 stands for ''n'' summands {{nowrap|1 + 1 + 1 + ... + 1}}. If no such ''n'' exists, we say the characteristic is zero. Every non-zero characteristic is a [[prime number]]. For example, the [[rational number]]s, the [[real number]]s and the [[p-adic numbers|''p''-adic numbers]] have characteristic 0, while the finite field '''Z'''<sub>''p''</sub> with ''p'' being prime has characteristic ''p''.
; Subfield : A ''subfield'' of a field ''F'' is a [[subset]] of ''F'' which is closed under the field operation + and * of ''F'' and which, with these operations, forms itself a field.
; [[Prime field]] : The ''prime field'' of the field ''F'' is the unique smallest subfield of ''F''.
; [[Field extension|Extension field]] : If ''F'' is a subfield of ''E'' then ''E'' is an ''extension field'' of ''F''. We then also say that ''E''/''F'' is a ''field extension''.
; [[Degree of a field extension|Degree of an extension]] : Given an extension ''E''/''F'', the field ''E'' can be considered as a [[vector space]] over the field ''F'', and the [[dimension (vector space)|dimension]] of this vector space is the ''degree'' of the extension, denoted by [''E'' : ''F''].
; Finite extension : A ''finite extension'' is a field extension whose degree is finite.
; [[Algebraic extension]] : If an element ''α'' of an extension field ''E'' over ''F'' is the [[root]] of a non-zero polynomial in ''F''[''x''], then ''α'' is ''algebraic'' over ''F''.  If every element of ''E'' is algebraic over ''F'', then ''E''/''F'' is an ''algebraic extension''.
; Generating set : Given a field extension ''E''/''F'' and a subset ''S'' of ''E'', we write ''F''(''S'') for the smallest subfield of ''E'' that contains both ''F'' and ''S''. It consists of all the elements of ''E'' that can be obtained by repeatedly using the operations +, −, *, / on the elements of ''F'' and ''S''. If {{nowrap|1=''E'' = ''F''(''S'')}}, we say that ''E'' is generated by ''S'' over ''F''.
; [[Primitive element (field theory)|Primitive element]] : An element ''α'' of an extension field ''E'' over a field ''F'' is called a ''primitive element'' if ''E''=''F''(''α''), the smallest extension field containing ''α''. Such an extension is called a '''[[simple extension]]'''.
; [[Splitting field]] : A field extension generated by the complete factorisation of a polynomial.
; [[Normal extension]] : A field extension generated by the complete factorisation of a set of polynomials.
; [[Separable extension]] : An extension generated by roots of [[separable polynomial]]s.
; [[Perfect field]] : A field such that every finite extension is separable. All fields of characteristic zero, and all finite fields, are perfect.
; [[Imperfect degree]] : Let ''F'' be a field of characteristic {{nowrap|''p'' > 0}}; then ''F''<sup>''p''</sup> is a subfield. The degree {{nowrap|[''F'' : ''F''<sup>''p''</sup>]}} is called the ''imperfect degree'' of ''F''. The field ''F'' is perfect if and only if its imperfect degree is ''1''. For example, if ''F'' is a function field of ''n'' variables over a finite field of characteristic {{nowrap|''p'' > 0}}, then its imperfect degree is ''p''<sup>''n''</sup>.{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=45|ps=none}}
; [[Algebraically closed field]] : A field ''F'' is ''algebraically closed'' if every polynomial in ''F''[''x''] has a root in ''F''; equivalently: every polynomial in ''F''[''x''] is a product of linear factors.
; [[Algebraic closure]]: An ''algebraic closure'' of a field ''F'' is an algebraic extension of ''F'' which is algebraically closed. Every field has an algebraic closure, and it is unique up to an isomorphism that fixes ''F''.
; [[Transcendental element|Transcendental]] : Those elements of an extension field of ''F'' that are not algebraic over ''F'' are ''transcendental'' over ''F''.
; Algebraically independent elements : Elements of an extension field of ''F'' are ''algebraically independent'' over ''F'' if they don't satisfy any non-zero polynomial equation with coefficients in ''F''.
; [[Transcendence degree]] : The number of algebraically independent transcendental elements in a field extension. It is used to define the [[dimension of an algebraic variety]].

== Homomorphisms ==
; Field homomorphism : A ''field homomorphism'' between two fields ''E'' and ''F'' is a [[ring homomorphism]], i.e., a [[function (mathematics)|function]]
:: ''f'' : ''E'' → ''F''
: such that, for all ''x'', ''y'' in ''E'',
:: ''f''(''x'' + ''y'') = ''f''(''x'') + ''f''(''y'')
:: ''f''(''xy'') = ''f''(''x'') ''f''(''y'')
:: ''f''(1) = 1.
: For fields ''E'' and ''F'', these properties imply that {{nowrap|1=''f''(0) = 0}}, {{nowrap|1=''f''(''x''<sup>−1</sup>) = ''f''(''x'')<sup>−1</sup>}} for ''x'' in ''E''<sup>×</sup>, and that ''f'' is [[injective]]. Fields, together with these homomorphisms, form a [[category theory|category]]. Two fields ''E'' and ''F'' are called '''isomorphic''' if there exists a [[bijective]] homomorphism
:: ''f'' : ''E'' → ''F''.
: The two fields are then identical for all practical purposes; however, not necessarily in a ''unique'' way. See, for example, ''[[Complex conjugate]]''.

== Types of fields ==
; [[Finite field]] : A field with finitely many elements, a.k.a. '''Galois field'''.
; [[Ordered field]] : A field with a [[total order]] compatible with its operations.
; [[Rational number]]s
; [[Real number]]s
; [[Complex number]]s
; [[Number field]] : Finite extension of the field of rational numbers.
; [[Algebraic number]]s : The field of algebraic numbers is the smallest algebraically closed extension of the field of rational numbers. Their detailed properties are studied in [[algebraic number theory]].
; [[Quadratic field]] : A degree-two extension of the rational numbers.
; [[Cyclotomic field]] : An extension of the rational numbers generated by a [[root of unity]].
; [[Totally real field]] : A number field generated by a root of a polynomial, having all its roots real numbers.
; [[Formally real field]]
; [[Real closed field]]
; [[Global field]] : A number field or a function field of one variable over a finite field.
; [[Local field]] : A completion of some global field ([[w.r.t.]] a prime of the integer ring).
; [[Complete field]] : A field complete w.r.t. to some valuation.
; [[Pseudo algebraically closed field]] : A field in which every variety has a [[rational point]].{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=214|ps=none}}
; [[Henselian field]] : A field satisfying [[Hensel lemma]] w.r.t. some valuation. A generalization of complete fields.
; [[Hilbertian field]]: A field satisfying [[Hilbert's irreducibility theorem]]: formally, one for which the [[projective line]] is not [[Thin set (Serre)|thin in the sense of Serre]].{{sfn|Serre|1992|p=19|ps=none}}{{sfn|Schinzel|2000|p=298|ps=none}}
; Kroneckerian field: A totally real algebraic number field or a totally imaginary quadratic extension of a totally real field.{{sfn|Schinzel|2000|p=5|ps=none}}
; [[CM-field]] or '''J-field''': An algebraic number field which is a totally imaginary quadratic extension of a totally real field.{{sfn|Washington|1996|ps=none}}
; [[Linked field]]: A field over which no [[biquaternion algebra]] is a [[division algebra]].{{sfn|Lam|2005|p=342|ps=none}}
; Frobenius field: A [[pseudo algebraically closed field]] whose [[absolute Galois group]] has the embedding property.{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=564|ps=none}}

== Field extensions ==
Let ''E''/''F'' be a field extension.
; [[Algebraic extension]] : An extension in which every element of ''E'' is algebraic over ''F''.
; [[Simple extension]]: An extension which is generated by a single element, called a '''primitive element''', or '''generating element'''.{{sfn|Roman|2007|p=46|ps=none}}  The [[primitive element theorem]] classifies such extensions.{{sfn|Lang|2002|p=243|ps=none}}
; [[Normal extension]] : An extension that splits a family of polynomials: every root of the minimal polynomial of an element of ''E'' over ''F'' is also in ''E''.
; [[Separable extension]] : An algebraic extension in which the minimal polynomial of every element of ''E'' over ''F'' is a [[separable polynomial]], that is, has distinct roots.{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=28|ps=none}}
; [[Galois extension]] : A normal, separable field extension.
; [[Primary extension]] : An extension ''E''/''F'' such that the algebraic closure of ''F'' in ''E'' is [[purely inseparable]] over ''F''; equivalently, ''E'' is [[linearly disjoint]] from the [[separable closure]] of ''F''.{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=44|ps=none}}
; [[Purely transcendental extension]] : An extension ''E''/''F'' in which every element of ''E'' not in ''F'' is transcendental over ''F''.{{sfn|Roman|2007|p=102|ps=none}}{{sfn|Isaacs|1994|p=389|ps=none}}
; [[Regular extension]] : An extension ''E''/''F'' such that ''E'' is separable over ''F'' and ''F'' is algebraically closed in ''E''.{{sfn|Fried|Jarden|2008|p=44|ps=none}}
; [[Simple radical extension]]: A [[simple extension]] ''E''/''F''  generated by a single element ''α'' satisfying {{nowrap|1=''α''<sup>''n''</sup> = ''b''}} for an element ''b'' of ''F''.  In [[Characteristic (algebra)|characteristic]] ''p'', we also take an extension by a root of an [[Artin–Schreier theory|Artin–Schreier polynomial]] to be a simple radical extension.{{sfn|Roman|2007|p=273|ps=none}}
; [[Radical extension]]: A tower {{nowrap|1=''F'' = ''F''<sub>0</sub> < ''F''<sub>1</sub> < ⋅⋅⋅ < ''F''<sub>''k''</sub> = ''E''}} where each extension {{nowrap|''F''<sub>''i''</sub> / ''F''<sub>''i''−1</sub>}} is a simple radical extension.{{sfn|Roman|2007|p=273|ps=none}}
; [[Self-regular extension]] : An extension ''E''/''F'' such that {{nowrap|''E'' ⊗<sub>''F''</sub> ''E''}} is an integral domain.{{sfn|Cohn|2003|p=427|ps=none}}
; Totally transcendental extension: An extension ''E''/''F'' such that ''F'' is algebraically closed in ''F''.{{sfn|Isaacs|1994|p=389|ps=none}}
; Distinguished class: A class ''C'' of field extensions with the three properties{{sfn|Lang|2002|p=228|ps=none}}
:# If ''E'' is a C-extension of ''F'' and ''F'' is a C-extension of ''K'' then ''E'' is a C-extension of ''K''.
:# If ''E'' and ''F'' are C-extensions of ''K'' in a common overfield ''M'', then the [[compositum]] ''EF'' is a C-extension of ''K''.
:# If ''E'' is a C-extension of ''F'' and {{nowrap|''E'' > ''K'' > ''F''}} then ''E'' is a C-extension of ''K''.

== Galois theory ==
; [[Galois extension]] : A normal, separable field extension.
; [[Galois group]] : The [[automorphism group]] of a Galois extension. When it is a finite extension, this is a finite group of order equal to the degree of the extension. Galois groups for infinite extensions are [[profinite group]]s.
; [[Kummer theory]] : The Galois theory of taking ''n''th roots, given enough [[roots of unity]]. It includes the general theory of [[quadratic extension]]s.
; [[Artin–Schreier theory]] : Covers an exceptional case of Kummer theory, in characteristic ''p''.
; [[Normal basis]] : A basis in the vector space sense of ''L'' over ''K'', on which the Galois group of ''L'' over ''K'' acts transitively.
; [[Tensor product of fields]] : A different foundational piece of algebra, including the [[compositum]] operation ([[join (mathematics)|join]] of fields).

== Extensions of Galois theory ==
; '''[[Inverse problem of Galois theory]]''' : Given a group ''G'', find an extension of the rational number or other field with ''G'' as Galois group.
; [[Differential Galois theory]] : The subject in which symmetry groups of [[differential equation]]s are studied along the lines traditional in Galois theory. This is actually an old idea, and one of the motivations when [[Sophus Lie]] founded the theory of [[Lie group]]s. It has not, probably, reached definitive form.
; [[Grothendieck's Galois theory]] : A very abstract approach from [[algebraic geometry]], introduced to study the analogue of the [[fundamental group]].

== Citations ==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
* {{cite book | first=Iain T. | last=Adamson | year=1982 | title=Introduction to Field Theory | edition=2nd | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | isbn=0-521-28658-1 }}
* {{cite book | first=P. M. | last=Cohn | authorlink=Paul Cohn | year=2003 | title=Basic Algebra. Groups, Rings, and Fields | publisher=[[Springer-Verlag]] | isbn=1-85233-587-4 | zbl=1003.00001 }}
* {{cite book | last1=Fried | first1=Michael D. | last2=Jarden | first2=Moshe | year=2008 | title=Field arithmetic | edition=3rd revised | series=Ergebnisse der Mathematik und ihrer Grenzgebiete. 3. Folge | volume=11 | publisher=[[Springer-Verlag]] | isbn=978-3-540-77269-9 | zbl=1145.12001 }}
* {{cite book | first=I. Martin | last=Isaacs | year=1994 | title=Algebra: A Graduate Course | volume=100 | series=Graduate studies in mathematics | issn=1065-7339 | publisher=[[American Mathematical Society]] | isbn=0-8218-4799-6 | page=389 }}
* {{cite book | first=Tsit-Yuen | last=Lam | author-link=T. Y. Lam | year=2005 | title=Introduction to Quadratic Forms over Fields | volume=67 | series=[[Graduate Studies in Mathematics]] | publisher=[[American Mathematical Society]] | isbn=0-8218-1095-2 | zbl=1068.11023 | mr = 2104929 }}
* {{cite book | first=Serge | last=Lang | authorlink=Serge Lang | year=1997 | title=Survey of Diophantine Geometry | publisher=[[Springer-Verlag]] | isbn=3-540-61223-8 | zbl=0869.11051 }}
* {{Lang Algebra | edition=3r}}
* {{cite book | first=Steven | last=Roman | year=2007 | title=Field Theory | volume=158 | series=[[Graduate Texts in Mathematics]] | publisher=[[Springer-Verlag]] | isbn=978-0-387-27678-6 }}
* {{cite book | last=Schinzel | first=Andrzej | authorlink=Andrzej Schinzel | year=2000 | title=Polynomials with special regard to reducibility | zbl=0956.12001 | series=Encyclopedia of Mathematics and Its Applications | volume=77 | location=Cambridge | publisher=[[Cambridge University Press]] | isbn=0-521-66225-7 | url-access=registration | url=https://archive.org/details/polynomialswiths0000schi }}
* {{cite book | first=Jean-Pierre | last=Serre | authorlink=Jean-Pierre Serre | year=1989 | title=Lectures on the Mordell-Weil Theorem | others=Translated and edited by Martin Brown from notes by Michel Waldschmidt | zbl=0676.14005 | series=Aspects of Mathematics | volume=E15 | location=Braunschweig etc. | publisher=Friedr. Vieweg & Sohn }}
* {{cite book | first=Jean-Pierre | last=Serre | authorlink=Jean-Pierre Serre | year=1992 | title=Topics in Galois Theory | series=Research Notes in Mathematics | volume=1 | publisher=Jones and Bartlett | isbn=0-86720-210-6 | zbl=0746.12001 }}
* {{cite book | first=Lawrence C. | last=Washington | year=1996 | title=Introduction to Cyclotomic fields | publisher=[[Springer-Verlag]] | location=New York | edition=2nd | isbn=0-387-94762-0 | zbl=0966.11047}}


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