Difference between revisions of "Field (mathematics)"
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| − | A '''field''' is a commutative [[Ring (mathematics)|ring]] which contains a non-zero multiplicative identity and all non-zero elements have multiplicative inverses. Everyday examples of fields include the [[real numbers|real numbers]], [[complex numbers]] and the [[rationals]]. There is a unique finite field for each power of a prime number. | + | A '''field''' is a commutative [[Ring (mathematics)|ring]] which contains a non-zero multiplicative identity and all non-zero elements have multiplicative inverses. Everyday examples of fields include the [[real numbers|real numbers]], [[complex numbers]] and the [[rationals]]. There is a unique finite field of characteristic <math>p</math> for each power of a prime number <math>p</math>. |
[[Category:Mathematics]] | [[Category:Mathematics]] | ||
Revision as of 21:49, March 29, 2007
A field is a commutative ring which contains a non-zero multiplicative identity and all non-zero elements have multiplicative inverses. Everyday examples of fields include the real numbers, complex numbers and the rationals. There is a unique finite field of characteristic <math>p</math> for each power of a prime number <math>p</math>.