For example it is clear that the case $\mathbb{Q}\big(\sqrt 2\big) = \{ a+b\sqrt2 \vert a,b \in \mathbb{Q}\}$
(Here the $a,b$ is a scalar)
Then if we more generalize this thought, we can get a well known fact that:
(*) Given the field extension L / K, the larger field L is a K-vector space. (Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_extension)
Hence, I've understood the statement, (*) means $\forall l(\in L) = \sum k_i l_i $ for some $k_i \in K$, $l_i \in L$.
(i.e. Considering the $L$ as a vector space, all the element of the $L $ can be expressed as a linear combination with scalars $k_i(\in K)$ ).
Does it still hold the $L$ like not a finite extension or not a algebraic extension etc like a $\mathbb{Q}(\pi)$ ? In my guess $\mathbb{Q}(\pi)$ is a vector space but not expressed as a finite linear combination.
So, is my thought right? I want to check my idea that I've known.
Any comment or advice would be appreciated. Thanks.
Best Answer
While your "understanding" statement is technically true, I would say that your interpretation misses most of the useful properties of thinking of $L$ as a $K$-vector space. It makes more sense to think of it in terms of the definition of a vector space.
How I would interpret it: $L$ satisfies all of the axioms of a vector space over $K$. I.e. you can consider the elements of $L$ to be "vectors", with addition and scalar multiplication (multiplication by elements of $K$) satisfying all of your familiar vector space properties. This lets you define the dimension of $L$ over $K$, if the dimension is finite you can define a basis, and you can represent $K$-linear transformations with matrices (over $K$).
Under this interpretation, $\mathbb{Q}(\pi)$ is an infinite dimensional vector space over $\mathbb{Q}$.