On a result of James Ax (Q1891702): Difference between revisions

Let \(V\) be a Henselian valuation on the perfect field \(K\) of positive characteristic, and extend it to the algebraic closure \(\overline {K}\). For any \(\alpha\in \overline {K}\), the diameter of the conjugates is \(\Delta_K (\alpha):= \min V(\alpha'- \alpha)\) where \(\alpha'\) runs through all \(K\)-conjugates \(\neq \alpha\) of \(\alpha\). The author proves that the following statements are equivalent: a) for every \(\alpha\in \overline {K}\) there is some \(a\in K\) such that \(V(\alpha- a)\geq \Delta_K (\alpha)\), b) \((K,V)\) is defectless, that is, every finite extension of \(K\) satisfies the fundamental equality (its degree equals the product of its ramification index and its inertia degree). This theorem corrects an error of \textit{J. Ax} [J. Algebra 15, 417-428 (1970; Zbl 0216.04703)]\ who stated that a) was true for all perfect Henselian fields of rank 1 and positive characteristic. But not every such field is defectless.