Homomorphisms between $\mathbb{Q}(x)$ and $\mathbb{C}$

abstract-algebrafield-theoryring-homomorphismring-theory

I want to describe all homomorphisms between the ring of rational $\Bbb{Q}(x)$ functions and the ring of complex numbers $\Bbb{C}$.

my idea: Let $\phi:\Bbb{Q}(x)\longrightarrow\Bbb{C}$ be a homomorphism such that $\phi(1)=1$. Then it is easy to show that $\phi|_{\Bbb{Q}}=\rm id_{\Bbb{Q}}$. Then for any $\frac{p(x)}{q(x)}\in\Bbb{Q}(x)$, we have $\phi(p(x)/q(x))=\frac{p(\phi(x))}{q(\phi(x))}$. Then $\phi$ is determined by the image og $x$. therefore $x$ must go to some transcendental number in $\Bbb{C}$, otherwise $q(\phi(x))$ maybe $0$. Therefore there exists an unique homomorphism $\phi_{\alpha}$ for any transcendental number $\alpha\in\Bbb{C}$. Am I right about this? Is this description perfect?

Best Answer

Yes, your description is correct, and moreover it uses no special features of $\mathbb{C}$: this is a description of homomorphisms from $\mathbb{Q}(x)$ to any field, which exhibits the universal property of $\mathbb{Q}(x)$ in the category of fields, namely, it is the free field on a transcendental element.

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