A field that is a finite-type integer algebra has prime characteristic or zero. Prime characteristic and Zariski lemma make it a finite algebraic extension of a finite prime field. In characteristic zero, the same lemma makes it a number field; clearing finitely many coefficient denominators makes it integral over . The integral field extension forces the base domain to be a field, but a prime not dividing is not invertible there. This contradiction excludes characteristic zero.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2012 iii Paper 4 5 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-07
The characteristic of is either a prime or zero. In characteristic , it is a finitely generated algebra over . The course's Zariski lemma says that a field finitely generated as an algebra over a field is a finite algebraic extension of that field. ThereforeIt remains to exclude characteristic zero. Write . Because is then a field containing , also . Zariski lemma makes finite algebraic. Each has a monic equation with rational coefficients. Choose a positive integer clearing all their coefficient denominators. Each is then integral over , so is integral over . This algebra equals : it contains the given integer algebra , and already lies in the field .
An integral field extension forces the base domain to be a field. To see it here, for a nonzero its inverse in satisfiesMultiplying by givesThus would be a field. But choose a prime . Reduction modulo is a well-defined map , so the nonzero element is not invertible in . This contradiction rules out characteristic zero. Therefore the finite-field theorem for finitely generated integer algebras yieldsThis uses Zariski lemma and elementary integrality, not a claim that a field merely finitely generated as a field extension must be algebraic.