What is an example of two k-algebras that are isomorphic as rings, but not as k-algebras?

Solution 1:

Let $\sigma : k \to k$ be any homomorphism. By restriction of scalars, we obtain a $k$-algebra $A$ whose underyling ring is just $k$. But $A$ is isomorphic to $k$ as $k$-algebra if and only if $\sigma$ is an isomorphism.

More generally: Let $A$ be a commutative ring and $f,g : k \to A$ be two homomorphisms. These may be considered as two $k$-algebras. The underlying rings are equal to $A$. But the $k$-algebras are isomorphic if and only if there is an automorphism $h : A \to A$ such that $hf = g$. The first paragraph deals with the somewhat pathological special case $A=k$ and $f=\mathrm{id}, g=\sigma$. But of course there are lots of other examples, too (unless $k$ is a prime field or something similar).

For example, consider the two embeddings $\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{2}) \rightrightarrows \mathbb{R}$ given by $\sqrt{2} \mapsto \pm \sqrt{2}$. They don't differ by an automorphism of $\mathbb{R}$, since $\mathrm{End}(\mathbb{R})=\{\mathrm{id}\}$.