Transcendence basis

A transcendence basis of a field extension $L/k$ is an algebraically independent set $T$ such that $L/k(T)$ is algebraic. Its cardinality is the transcendence degree. For finitely generated extensions it is finite, and the remaining algebraic extension is finite.

A transcendence basis $T$ for $L/k$ is separating if $L/k(T)$ is a separable field extension. In this case the $dt$, $t\in T$, form a basis of the Kähler differentials. In characteristic zero every transcendence basis is separating. In positive characteristic the condition on the chosen basis is essential.

For a finitely generated field extension $L/k$ in characteristic zero, a tuple $t_i$ is algebraically independent exactly when its differentials $d{t}_i$ are linearly independent in the Kähler differentials. A relation of minimum total degree gives a nontrivial differential relation; an independent tuple extends to a transcendence basis. In positive characteristic, derivatives of nonconstant relations can vanish identically.

The transcendence degree is the cardinality of a transcendence basis. It counts independent transcendental parameters. In a finitely generated separably generated field extension, it equals the dimension of the Kähler differentials as a vector space over the extension field.