= Underlying field of a vector space
= Underlying field of the vector space
{synonym}
Every vector space is defined over a <field (mathematics)>.
E.g. in $\R^3$, the underlying <field (mathematics)> is $\R$, the <real numbers>. And in $\C^2$ the underlying field is $\C$, the <complex numbers>.
Any field can be used, including <finite field>. But the underlying thing has to be a field, because the definitions of a vector need all field properties to hold to make sense.
Elements of the underlying field of a vector space are known as <scalar (mathematics)>.