Let $K$ be a finite extension of $\mathbb{Q}$ (i.e. $K$ is a number field). Let $\mathbb{B}$ be the set of all algebraic integers. Inside $K$, we have the so-called the ring of integers $\mathcal{O}_{K}=K\cap\mathbb{B}$.
It can be checked that $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ is a ring. I strongly suspect that $\mathcal{O}_{K}$ is not a field. Is there any easy way to see this?
Best Answer
$2 \in \mathcal{O}_K$. $\frac{1}{2}$ is not an algebraic integer, and therefore not in $\mathcal{O}_K$.