The inverse different is
It is an -submodule of . Choose an integral basis of a finite-index free submodule of . Nondegeneracy of the trace pairing gives a dual -basis , and the codifferent lies between two finitely generated full -lattices obtained from these bases. It is therefore a fractional -ideal.
Every algebraic integer has integral trace, so . Consequently its inverse
is contained in . It is thus an integral -ideal, called the different ideal.
The trace form of a number field is
It is bilinear because the field trace is linear. If , choose . Then
Thus no nonzero lies in the radical, and is a nondegenerate bilinear form. This is the nondegeneracy of the trace form of a number field.