
Lemma 10.115.6. Let $k$ be a field. Let $S$ be a finite type $k$-algebra. Set $X = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(S)$. Let $k \subset K$ be a field extension. Set $S_ K = K \otimes _ k S$, and $X_ K = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(S_ K)$. Let $\mathfrak q \subset S$ be a prime corresponding to $x \in X$ and let $\mathfrak q_ K \subset S_ K$ be a prime corresponding to $x_ K \in X_ K$ lying over $\mathfrak q$. Then $\dim _ x X = \dim _{x_ K} X_ K$.

Proof. Choose a presentation $S = k[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]/I$. This gives a presentation $K \otimes _ k S = K[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]/(K \otimes _ k I)$. Let $\mathfrak q_ K' \subset K[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]$, resp. $\mathfrak q' \subset k[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]$ be the corresponding primes. Consider the following commutative diagram of Noetherian local rings

$\xymatrix{ K[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]_{\mathfrak q_ K'} \ar[r] & (K \otimes _ k S)_{\mathfrak q_ K} \\ k[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]_{\mathfrak q'} \ar[r] \ar[u] & S_{\mathfrak q} \ar[u] }$

Both vertical arrows are flat because they are localizations of the flat ring maps $S \to S_ K$ and $k[x_1, \ldots , x_ n] \to K[x_1, \ldots , x_ n]$. Moreover, the vertical arrows have the same fibre rings. Hence, we see from Lemma 10.111.7 that $\text{height}(\mathfrak q') - \text{height}(\mathfrak q) = \text{height}(\mathfrak q_ K') - \text{height}(\mathfrak q_ K)$. Denote $x' \in X' = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(k[x_1, \ldots , x_ n])$ and $x'_ K \in X'_ K = \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(K[x_1, \ldots , x_ n])$ the points corresponding to $\mathfrak q'$ and $\mathfrak q_ K'$. By Lemma 10.115.4 and what we showed above we have

\begin{eqnarray*} n - \dim _ x X & = & \dim _{x'} X' - \dim _ x X \\ & = & \text{height}(\mathfrak q') - \text{height}(\mathfrak q) \\ & = & \text{height}(\mathfrak q_ K') - \text{height}(\mathfrak q_ K) \\ & = & \dim _{x'_ K} X'_ K - \dim _{x_ K} X_ K \\ & = & n - \dim _{x_ K} X_ K \end{eqnarray*}

and the lemma follows. $\square$

In your comment you can use Markdown and LaTeX style mathematics (enclose it like $\pi$). A preview option is available if you wish to see how it works out (just click on the eye in the toolbar).