Two absolute values on a field are equivalent absolute values when they induce the same topology. For nontrivial absolute values on a field this is equivalent to
for a fixed real number . The trivial absolute value is equivalent only to itself.
Restriction of a Non-Archimedean absolute value plainly preserves the ultrametric inequality. Conversely, if the restriction is non-Archimedean, every integer, interpreted in either field, has absolute value on a field at most one. In particular every binomial coefficient has absolute value on a field at most one. The triangle inequality applied to the binomial expansion gives, for and every positive integer ,
Raise both sides to the power and let . Since , this yields
This is the bounded-integer criterion for a non-Archimedean absolute value. The proof works for arbitrary field extensions, not just algebraic ones, and in positive characteristic as well.
If is non-Archimedean, then . Conversely suppose for every integer . The binomial theorem and the ordinary triangle inequality give
Taking th roots and letting proves . This is the bounded-integer criterion for a non-Archimedean absolute value.
In characteristic , the image of is the finite prime field , so every absolute value is bounded on it. Thus every absolute value on is non-Archimedean.