Topics in Abstract Algebra/Commutative algebra: Difference between revisions

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The set of all prime ideals in a commutative ring A is called the spectrum of A and denoted by Spec(A). (The motivation for the term comes from the theory of a commutative Banach algebra.)

Spec A

The set of all nilpotent elements in A forms an ideal called the nilradical of A. Given any ideal 𝔞, the pre-image of the nilradical of A is an ideal called the radical of 𝔞 and denoted by 𝔞. Explicitly, x𝔞 if and only if xn𝔞 for some n.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label=radical prop |claim=Let 𝔦,𝔧A.

  • (i) 𝔦n=𝔦
  • (ii) 𝔦𝔧=𝔦𝔧=𝔦𝔧

|proof=Routine.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |label= |claim=A ring has only one prime ideal if and only if its nilradical is maximal.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |label= |claim=Every prime ideal in a finite ring is maximal.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label=Ideal prime -> field |claim=Let A0 be a ring. If every principal ideal in A is prime, then A is a field. |proof=Let 0xA. Since x2 is in (x2), which is prime, x(x2). Thus, we can write x=ax2. Since (0) is prime, A is a domain. Hence, 1=ax.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Lemma |label= |claim=Let 𝔭A. Then 𝔭 is prime if and only if

𝔭𝔞A,𝔭𝔟A implies 𝔞𝔟⊄𝔭

|proof=() Clear. () Let x be the image of xA in A/𝔭. Suppose a is a zero-divisor; that is, ab=0 for some bA𝔭. Let 𝔞=(a,𝔭), and 𝔟=(b,𝔭). Since 𝔞𝔟=ab+𝔭𝔭, and 𝔟 is strictly larger than 𝔭, by the hypothesis, 𝔞𝔭. That is, a=0.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |name=multiplicative avoidance |label=disjoint maximal ideal |claim=Let SA be a multiplicative system. If 𝔞A is disjoint from S, then there exists a prime ideal 𝔭𝔞 that is maximal among ideals disjoint from S. |proof=Let 𝔪 be a maximal element in the set of all ideals disjoint from S. Let 𝔞 and 𝔟 be ideals strictly larger than 𝔪. Since 𝔪 is maximal, we find a𝔞S and b𝔟S. By the definition of S, abS; thus, 𝔞𝔟⊄𝔪. By the lemma, 𝔪 is prime then.}}

Note that the theorem applies in particular when S contains only 1.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |claim=A domain A is a principal ideal domain if every prime ideal is principal.}}

A Goldman domain is a domain whose field of fractions K is finitely generated as an algebra. When A is a Goldman domain, K always has the form A[f1]. Indeed, if K=A[s11,...,sn1], let s=s1...sn. Then K=A[s1].

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Lemma |label= |claim=Let A be a domain with the field of fractions K, and 0fA. Then K=A[f1] if and only if every nonzero prime ideal of A contains f. |proof=() Let 0xA, and S={fn|n0}. If (x) is disjoint from S, then, by the lemma, there is a prime ideal disjoint from S, contradicting the hypothesis. Thus, (x) contains some power of f, say, yx=fn. Then yx and so x are invertible in A[f1]. () If 𝔭 is a nonzero prime ideal, it contains a nonzero element, say, s. Then we can write: 1/s=a/fn, or fn=as𝔭; thus, f𝔭.}}

A prime ideal 𝔭Spec(A) is called a Goldman ideal if A/𝔭 is a Goldman domain.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=radical intersection Goldman |claim=Let A be a ring and 𝔞A. Then 𝔞 is the intersection of all minimal Goldman ideals of A containing 𝔞 |proof=By the ideal correspondence, it suffices to prove the case 𝔞=𝔞=0. Let 0fA. Let S={fn|n0}. Since f is not nilpotent (or it will be in (0)), by multiplicative avoidance, there is some prime ideal 𝔤 not containing f. It remains to show it is a Goldman ideal. But if 𝔭A/𝔤 is a nonzero prime, then f𝔭 since 𝔭 collapses to zero if it is disjoint from S. By Lemma, the field of fractions of A/𝔤 is obtained by inverting f and so 𝔤 is a Goldman ideal. Hence, the intersection of all Goldman ideals reduces to zero.}}

In some rings, Goldman ideals are maximal; this will be discussed in the next section. On the other hand,

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |theorem=Lemma |claim=Let 𝔞A. Then 𝔞 is a Goldman ideal if and only if it is the contraction of a maximal ideal in A[X].}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |theorem=Theorem |claim=The following are equivalent.

  1. For any 𝔞A, 𝔞 is the intersection of all maximal ideals containing 𝔞.
  2. Every Goldman ideal is maximal.
  3. Every maximal ideal in A[X] contracts to a maximal ideal in A.

|proof=Clear.}}

A ring satisfying the equivalent conditions in the theorem is called a Hilbert-Jacobson ring.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Lemma |label= |claim=Let AB be domains such that B is algebraic and of finite type over A. Then A is a Goldman domain if and only if B is a Goldman domain. |proof=Let KL be the fields of fractions of A and B, respectively.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=polynomial ring of Jacobson Jacobson |theorem=Theorem |claim=Let A be a Hilbert-Jacobson ring. Then A[X] is a Hilbert-Jacobson ring. |proof=Let 𝔮A[X] be a Goldman ideal, and 𝔭=𝔮A. It follows from Lemma something that A/𝔭 is a Goldman domain since it is contained in a A[X]/𝔮, a Goldman domain. Since A is a Hilbert-Jacobson ring, 𝔭 is maximal and so A/𝔭 is a field and so A[X]/𝔮 is a field; that is, 𝔮 is maximal.}}

Template:TODO

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Theorem |label=prime avoidance |name=prime avoidance |claim=Let 𝔭1,...,𝔭rA be ideals, at most two of which are not prime, and 𝔞A. If 𝔞1r𝔭i, then 𝔞𝔭i for some 𝔦. |proof=We shall induct on r to find a𝔞 that is in no 𝔭i. The case r=1 being trivial, suppose we find a𝔞 such that a∉𝔭i for i<r. We assume a𝔭r; else, we're done. Moreover, if 𝔭i𝔭r for some i<r, then the theorem applies without 𝔭i and so this case is done by by the inductive hypothesis. We thus assume 𝔭i⊄𝔭r for all i<r. Now, 𝔞𝔭1...𝔭r1⊄𝔭r; if not, since 𝔭r is prime, one of the ideals in the left is contained in 𝔭r, contradiction. Hence, there is b in the left that is not in 𝔭r. It follows that a+b∉𝔭i for all ir. Finally, we remark that the argument works without assuming 𝔭1 and 𝔭2 are prime. (TODO: too sketchy.) The proof is thus complete.}}

An element p of a ring is a prime if (p) is prime, and is an irreducible if p=xy either x or y is a unit..

We write x|y if (x)y, and say x divides y. In a domain, a prime element is irreducible. (Suppose x=yz. Then either x|y or x|z, say, the former. Then sx=y, and sxz=x. Canceling x out we see z is a unit.) The converse is false in general. We have however:

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label= |claim=Suppose: for every x and y, (x)(y)=(xy) whenever (1) is the only principal ideal containing (x,y). Then every irreducible is a prime. |proof=Let p be an irreducible, and suppose p|xy and p|y. Since (p)(x)=(px) implies px|xy and p|y, there is a d such that (1)(d)(p,x). But then d|p and so p|d (p is an irreducible.) Thus, p|x.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=Chinese remainder |name=Chinese remainder theorem |claim=Let 𝔞1,...,𝔞nA. If 𝔞j+𝔞i=(1), then

𝔞iAA/𝔞1××𝔞n0

is exact.}}

The Jacobson radical of a ring A is the intersection of all maximal ideals.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |name= |theorem=Proposition |label=Jacobson char |claim=xA is in the Jacobson radical if and only if 1xy is a unit for every yA. |proof=Let x be in the Jacobson radical. If 1xy is not a unit, it is in a maximal ideal 𝔪. But then we have: 1=(1xy)+xy, which is a sum of elements in 𝔪; thus, in 𝔪, contradiction. Conversely, suppose x is not in the Jacobson radical; that is, it is not in some maximal ideal 𝔪. Then (x,𝔪) is an ideal containing 𝔪 but strictly larger. Thus, it contains 1, and we can write: 1=xy+z with yA and z𝔪. Then 1xy𝔪, and 𝔪 would cease to be proper, unless 1xy is a non-unit. }}

Note that the nilradical is contained in the Jacobson radical, and they coincide in particular if prime ideals are maximal (e.g., the ring is a principal ideal domain). Another instance of this is:

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |label= |claim=In A[X], the nilradical and the Jacobson radical coincide.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=Hopkins |name=Hopkins |claim=Let A be a ring. Then the following are equivalent.

  1. A is artinian
  2. A is noetherian and every prime ideal is maximal.
  3. Spec(A) is finite and discrete, and A𝔪 is noetherian for all maximal ideal 𝔪.

|proof=(1) (3): Let 𝔭A be prime, and xA/𝔭. Since A/𝔭 is artinian (consider the short exact sequence), the descending sequence (xn) stabilizes eventually; i.e., xn=uxn+1 for some unit u. Since A/𝔭 is a domain, x is a unit then. Hence, 𝔭 is maximal and so Spec(A) is discrete. It remains to show that it is finite. Let S be the set of all finite intersections of maximal ideals. Let 𝔦S be its minimal element, which we have by (1). We write 𝔦=𝔪1...𝔪n. Let 𝔪 be an arbitrary maximal ideal. Then 𝔪𝔦S and so 𝔪𝔦=𝔦 by minimality. Thus, 𝔪=𝔪i for some i. (3) (2): We only have to show A is noetherian.}}

A ring is said to be local if it has only one maximal ideal.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=local equiv. |theorem=Proposition |claim=Let A be a nonzero ring. The following are equivalent.

  1. A is local.
  2. For every xA, either x or 1x is a unit.
  3. The set of non-units is an ideal.

|proof=(1) (2): If x is a non-unit, then x is the Jacobson radical; thus, 1x is a unit by Proposition {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/ref|Jacobson char}}. (2) (3): Let x,yA, and suppose x is a non-unit. If xy is a unit, then so are x and y. Thus, xy is a non-unit. Suppose x,y are non-units; we show that x+y is a non-unit by contradiction. If x+y is a unit, then there exists a unit aA such that 1=a(x+y)=ax+ay. Thus either ax or 1ax=ay is a unit, whence either x or y is a unit, a contradiction. (3) (1): Let 𝔦 be the set of non-units. If 𝔪A is maximal, it consists of nonunits; thus, 𝔪𝔦 where we have the equality by the maximality of 𝔪.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |theorem=Example |claim=If p is a prime ideal, then Ap is a local ring where p is its unique maximal ideal.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |theorem=Example |claim=If 𝔦 is maximal, then A/𝔦 is a local ring. In particular, A/𝔪n,(n1)is local for any maximal ideal 𝔪.}}

Let (A,𝔪) be a local noetherian ring.

A. Lemma 
  • (i) Let 𝔦 be a proper ideal of A. If M is a finite generated 𝔦-module, then M=0.
  • (ii) The intersection of all 𝔪k over k1 is trivial.

Proof: We prove (i) by the induction on the number of generators. Suppose M cannot be generated by strictly less than n generators, and suppose we have x1,...xn that generates M. Then, in particular,

x1=a1x1+a2x2+...+anxn where ai are in 𝔦,

and thus

(1a1)x1=a2x2+...+anxn

Since a1 is not a unit, 1a1 is a unit; in fact, if 1a1 is not a unit, it belongs to a unique maximal ideal 𝔪, which contains every non-units, in particular, a1, and thus 1𝔪, which is nonsense. Thus we find that actually x_2, ..., x_n generates M; this contradicts the inductive hypothesis.

An ideal 𝔮A is said to be primary if every zero-divisor in A/𝔮 is nilpotent. Explicitly, this means that, whenever xy𝔮 and y∉𝔮, x𝔮. In particular, a prime ideal is primary.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label= |claim=If 𝔮 is primary, then 𝔮 is prime. Conversely, if 𝔮 is maximal, then 𝔮 is primary. |proof=The first part is clear. Conversely, if 𝔮 is maximal, then 𝔪=𝔮/𝔮 is a maximal ideal in A/𝔮. It must be unique and so A/𝔮 is local. In particular, a zero-divisor in A/𝔮 is nonunit and so is contained in 𝔪; hence, nilpotent.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |label= |claim=𝔮 prime ⇏𝔮 primary.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Theorem |label=Primary decomposition |name=Primary decomposition |claim=Let A be a noetherian ring. If 𝔦A, then 𝔦 is a finite intersection of primary ideals. |proof=Let S be the set of all ideals that is not a finite intersection of primary ideals. We want to show S is empty. Suppose not, and let 𝔦 be its maximal element. We can write 𝔦 as an intersection of two ideals strictly larger than 𝔦. Indeed, since 𝔦 is not prime by definition in particular, choose x∉𝔦 and y∉𝔦 such that xy𝔦. As in the proof of Theorem {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/ref|principal prime pid}}, we can write: 𝔦=𝔧(𝔦+x) where 𝔧 is the set of all aA such that ax𝔦. By maximality, 𝔧,𝔦+x∉S. Thus, they are finite intersections of primary ideals, but then so is 𝔦, contradiction.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label= |claim=If (0) is indecomposable, then the set of zero divisors is a union of minimal primes.}}

Integral extension

Let AB be rings. If bB is a root of a monic polynomial fA[X], then b is said to be integral over A. If every element of B is integral over A, then we say B is integral over A or B is an integral extension of A. More generally, we say a ring morphism f:AB is integral if the image of A is integral over B. By replacing A with f(A), it suffices to study the case AB, and that's what we will below do.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Lemma |label=Integral equiv |claim=Let bB. Then the following are equivalent.

  1. b is integral over A.
  2. A[b] is finite over A.
  3. A[b] is contained in an A-submodule of B that is finite over A.

|proof=(1) means that we can write:

bn+r=(br+n1an1+...br+1a1+bra0)

Thus, 1,b,...,bn1 spans A[b]. Hence, (1) (2). Since (2) (3) vacuously, it remains to show (3) (1). Let M/A[b] be generated over A by x1,...,xn. Since bxiM, we can write

bxi=j=1ncijxj

where ckjA. Denoting by C the matrix cij, this means that det(bIC) annihilates M. Hence, det(bIC)=0 by (3). Noting det(bIC) is a monic polynomial in b we get (1). }}

The set of all elements in B that are integral over A is called the integral closure of A in B. By the lemma, the integral closure is a subring of B containing A. (Proof: if x and y are integral elements, then A[xy] and A[xy] are contained in A[x,y], finite over A.) It is also clear that integrability is transitive; that is, if C is integral over B and B is integral over A, then C is integral over A.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label= |claim=Let f:AB be an integral extension where B is a domain. Then

  • (i) A is a field if and only if B is a field.
  • (ii) Every nonzero ideal of B has nonzero intersection with A.

|proof=(i) Suppose B is a field, and let xA. Since x1B and is integral over A, we can write:

xn=(an1x(n1)+...+a1x1+a0)

Multiplying both sides by xn1 we see x1A. For the rest, let 0bB. We have an integral equation:

a0=bn+an1bn1+...+a1b=b(bn1+an1bn2+...+a1).

Since B is a domain, if n is the minimal degree of a monic polynomial that annihilates b, then it must be that a00. This shows that bBA0, giving us (ii). Also, if A is a field, then a0 is invertible and so is b.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |name=Noether normalization |label= |claim=Let A be a finitely generated k-algebra. Then we can find z1,...,zd such that

  1. A is integral over k[z1,...,zd].
  2. z1,...,zd are algebraically independent over k.
  3. z1,...,zd are a separating transcendence basis of the field of fractions K of A if K is separable over k.

|proof=}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |name=Artin-Tate |label=Artin-Tate |claim=Let ABC be rings. Suppose A is noetherian. If C is finitely generated as an A-algebra and integral over B, then B is finitely generated as an A-algebra.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |claim=A ring morphism f:AΩ (where Ω is an algebraically closed field) extends to F:A[b]Ω (Answer: http://www.math.uiuc.edu/~r-ash/ComAlg/)}}

Noetherian rings

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |name= |label= |claim=A ring is noetherian if and only if every prime ideal is finitely generated. (See T. Y. Lam and Manuel L. Reyes, A Prime Ideal Principle in Commutative Algebra for a systematic study of results of this type.)}}

The next theorem furnishes many examples of a noetherian ring.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |name=Hilbert basis |label=Hilbert basis |claim=A is a noetherian ring if and only if A[T1,...Tn] is noetherian. |proof=By induction it suffices to prove A[T] is noetherian. Let IA[T]. Let Ln be the set of all coefficients of polynomials of degree n in I. Since LnA, there exists d such that

L0L1L2,...,Ld=Ld+1=....

For each 0nd, choose finitely many elements f1n,f2n,...fmnn of I whose coefficients b1n,...bmnn generate Ln. Let I be an ideal generated by fjn for all j,n. We claim I=I. It is clear that II. We prove the opposite inclusion by induction on the degree of polynomials in I. Let fI, a the leading coefficient of f and n the degree of f. Then aLn. If nd, then

a=a1b1n+a2b2n+...+amnbmnn

In particular, if g=a1f1n+a2f2n+...+amnfmnn, then fg has degree strictly less than that of f and so by the inductive hypothesis fgI. Since gI, fI then. If nd, then aLd and the same argument shows fI.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Exercise |label= |claim=Let A be the ring of continuous functions f:[0,1][0,1].A is not noetherian.}}

Let (A,𝔪) be a noetherian local ring with k=A/𝔪. Let 𝔦A. Then 𝔦 is called an ideal of definition if A/𝔦 is artinian.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |claim=dimk(𝔪/𝔪2)dimA |proof=}}

The local ring A is said to be regular if the equality holds in the above.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |claim=Let A be a noetherian ring. Then dimA[T1,...,Tn]=n+dimA. |proof=By induction, it suffices to prove the case n=1.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |claim=Let A be a finite-dimensional k-algebra. If A is a domain with the field of fractions K, then dimA=trdegkK. |proof=By the noether normalization lemma, A is integral over k[x1,...,xn] where x1,...,xn are algebraically independent over k. Thus, dimA=dimk[x1,...,xn]=n. On the other hand, trdegkK=n.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |claim=Let A be a domain with (ACCP). Then A is a UFD if and only if every prime ideal 𝔭 of height 1 is principal. |proof=() By Theorem {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/ref|UFD equiv}}, 𝔭 contains a prime element x. Then

0(x)𝔭

where the second inclusion must be equality since 𝔭 has height 1. () In light of Theorem {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/ref|UFD equiv}}, it suffices to show that A is a GCD domain. (TODO: complete the proof.)}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |claim=A regular local ring is a UFD.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=Krull's intersection theorem |name=Krull's intersection theorem |claim=Let 𝔦A be a proper ideal. If A is either a noetherian domain or a local ring, then n1𝔦n=0.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Theorem |label=noetherian power radical |claim=Let 𝔦A. If A is noetherian,

𝔦n𝔦𝔦 for some n.

In particular, the nilradical of A is nilpotent. |proof=It suffices to prove this when 𝔦=0. Thus, the proof reduces to proving that the nilradical of A is nilpotent. Since A is nilpotent, we have finitely many nilpotent elements x1,...,xn that spans (0). The power of any linear combination of them is then a sum of terms that contain the high power of some xj if we take the sufficiently high power. Thus, (0) is nilpotent.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label=noetherian -> completion noetherian |claim=If A is noetherian, then A^ is noetherian. |proof=}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Corollary |label= |claim=If A is noetherian, then A[[X]] is noetherian.}}

Zariski topology

Given 𝔞A, let V(𝔞)={𝔭Spec(A)|𝔭𝔞}. (Note that V(𝔞)=V(𝔞).) It is easy to see

V(𝔞)V(𝔟)=V(𝔞𝔟)=V(𝔞𝔟), and αV(𝔞α)=V((𝔞α|α)).

It follows that the collection of the sets of the form V(𝔞) includes the empty set and Spec(A) and is closed under intersection and finite union. In other words, we can define a topology for Spec(A) by declaring Z(𝔦) to be closed sets. The resulting topology is called the Zariski topology. Let X=Spec(A), and write Xf=XV((f))={PX|Pf}.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label=Spec quasi-compact |claim=We have:

  • (i) Xf is quasi-compact.
  • (ii) Xfg is canonically isomorphic to Spec(A[f1])g.

|proof=We have: XfαXfα=XV((fα|α))(f)(fα|α)f(fα1,...,fαn).}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |theorem=Exercise |claim=Let A be a local ring. Then Spec(A) is connected.}}


{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Corollary |label= |claim=Spec(B)Spec(A) is a closed surjection.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=locally noetherian -> noetherian |claim=If Am is noetherian for every maximal ideal 𝔪 and if {𝔪Max(A)|xm} is finite for each xA, then A is noetherian.}}

Integrally closed domain

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Lemma |label=GCD prop |claim=In a GCD domain, if (x,y)=1=(x,z), then (x,yz)=1.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |theorem=Proposition |label=In GCD, irreducible -> prime |claim=In a GCD domain, every irreducible element is prime. |proof=Let x be an irreducible, and suppose x|yz. Then x|(x,yz). If (x,yz)=1, x is a unit, the case we tacitly ignore. Thus, by the lemma, d=(x,y), say, is a nonunit. Since x is irreducible, x|d and so x|y.}}

In particular, in a polynomial ring that is a GCD domain, every irreducible polynomial is a prime element.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=ACC |name= |claim=Let A be a ring that satisfies the ascending chain conditions on principal ideals (example: noetherian ring). Then every x in A is a finite product of irreducibles.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=UFD equiv |name= |claim=Let A be a domain. The following are equivalent.

  1. Every nonzero nonunit element is a finite product of prime elements.
  2. (Kaplansky) Every nonzero prime ideal contains a prime element.
  3. A is a GCD domain and has (ACC) on principal ideals.

|proof=(3) (2): Let 𝔭Spec(A). If 𝔭 is nonzero, it then contains a nonzero element x, which we factor into irreducibles: x=p1...pn. Then pj𝔭 for some j. Finally, irreducibles are prime since A is a GCD domain. (2) (1): Let S be the set of all products of prime elements. Clearly, S satisfies the hypothesis of Theorem {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/label|disjoint maximal ideal}} (i.e., closed under multiplication). Suppose, on the contrary, there is a nonzero nonunit x. It is easy to see that since x∉S, (x) and S are disjoint. Thus, by Theorem {{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/label|disjoint maximal ideal}}, there is a prime ideal 𝔭 containing x and disjoint from S. But, by (2), 𝔭 contains a prime element y; that is, 𝔭 intersects S, contradiction. (1) (3): By uniqueness of factorization, it is clear that A is a GCD domain. }}

A domain satisfying the equivalent conditions in the theorem is called a unique factorization domain or a UFD for short.

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label= |name= |theorem=Corollary |claim=If A is a UFD, then A[X] is a UFD. If A is a principal ideal domain, then A[[X]] is a UFD.}}

{{Template:BOOKTEMPLATE/Theorem |label=Nagata UFD equiv |name=Nagata criterion |claim=Let A be a domain, and SA a multiplicatively closed subset generated by prime elements. Then A is a UFD if and only if S1A is a UFD.}}

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