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[parent] non-isomorphic completions of $\mathbb{Q}$ (Theorem)

No field $\mathbb{Q}_p$ of the $p$ adic numbers ($p$ adic rationals) is isomorphic with the field $\mathbb{R}$ of the real numbers.

Proof. Let's assume the existence of a field isomorphism $f:\,\mathbb{R}\to \mathbb{Q}_p$ , for some positive prime number $p$ If we denote $f(\sqrt{p}) = a$ then we obtain $$a^2 = (f(\sqrt{p}))^2 = f((\sqrt{p})^2) = f(p) = p,$$ because the isomorphism maps the elements of the prime subfield on themselves. Thus, if $|\cdot|_p$ , is the normed $p$ adic valuation of $\mathbb{Q}$ and of $\mathbb{Q}_p$ we get $$|a|_p = \sqrt{|a^2|_p} = \sqrt{|p|_p} = \sqrt{\frac{1}{p}},$$ which value is an irrational number as a square root of a non-square rational. But this is impossible, since the value group of the completion $\mathbb{Q}_p$ must be the same as the value group $|\mathbb{Q}\setminus\{0\}|_p$ which consists of all integer powers of $p$ So we conclude that there can not exist such an isomorphism.




"non-isomorphic completions of $\mathbb{Q}$" is owned by pahio.
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See Also: p-adic canonical form

Also defines:  $p$-adic numbers

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Cross-references: powers, integer, value group, value group of the completion, rational, irrational number, prime subfield, maps, isomorphism, prime number, positive, field isomorphism, proof, real numbers, isomorphic, numbers, field
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This is version 6 of non-isomorphic completions of $\mathbb{Q}$, born on 2005-01-27, modified 2005-01-28.
Object id is 6671, canonical name is NonIsomorphicCompletionsOfMathbbQ.
Accessed 3152 times total.

Classification:
AMS MSC12J20 (Field theory and polynomials :: Topological fields :: General valuation theory)
 13A18 (Commutative rings and algebras :: General commutative ring theory :: Valuations and their generalizations)
 13J10 (Commutative rings and algebras :: Topological rings and modules :: Complete rings, completion)
 13F30 (Commutative rings and algebras :: Arithmetic rings and other special rings :: Valuation rings)

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