Since a new field of research in the theory of valuations has been opened by the notion of symmetric extensions of a valuation on a field K to K(X1,…, Xn), with respect to the indeterminates X1,…, Xn, it makes sense to look for...
moreSince a new field of research in the theory of valuations has been opened by the notion of symmetric extensions of a valuation on a field K to K(X1,…, Xn), with respect to the indeterminates X1,…, Xn, it makes sense to look for applications of this theory in dealing with arbitrary valuations on rational function fields. This paper investigates the conditions and methods of transforming asymmetric valuations on rational function fields into symmetric ones-procedure that will be called valuation leveling-the motivation being the opportunity of applying the specific results from the theory of symmetric valuations in the general case. 1. Background Given K a field and v a (Krull) valuation on K, we will denote by vK the value group, by Kv the residue field of v on K, by va the value of an element a K and by av Kv its residue. We will use the classical additive notation for v, that is assuming the ultrametric triangle law as v(a + b) ≥ inf (a, b). Given v and u two valuations on K, we will say that v is equivalent to u and write v u, if there exists an isomorphism of ordered groups j : vK uK such that we get u = jv. Let L/K be an extension of fields. We will call a valuation u on L an extension of v if u(x) = v(x) for all x in K and, in this case, we will canonically identify Kv with a subfield of Lu and vK with a subgroup of uL. If we choose L