Definition:Algebraically Independent

Definition
Let $L / K$ be a field extension.

Let $A \subseteq L$ be a subset of $L$.

Let $\map K {\set {X_\alpha: \alpha \in A} }$ be the field of rational functions in the indeterminates $\family {X_\alpha}_{\alpha \mathop \in A}$.

Then $A$ is algebraically independent over $K$ there exists a homomorphism:
 * $\phi: \map K {\set {X_\alpha: \alpha \in A} } \to L$

such that, for all $\alpha \in A$:
 * $\map \phi {X_\alpha} = \alpha$