Commutative rings are IBN-rings - Bland Proposition 2.2.11

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In summary, Peter found that two bases of a vector space have the same cardinality if and only if they are constructed from the same set of indices.
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I am reading Paul E. Bland's book, "Rings and Their Modules".

I am trying to understand Section 2.2 on free modules and need help with the proof of Proposition 2.2.11.

Proposition 2.2.11 and its proof read as follows:View attachment 3588
Proposition 2.2.11 relies on the definition of an IBN-ring so I am providing Bland's definition of an IBN-ring which reads as follows:
View attachment 3589
Now in the proof of Proposition 2.2.11, Bland defines \(\displaystyle R\) as a commutative ring ... ... and then has to show (see above definition of an IBN-ring) that for every free \(\displaystyle R\)-module \(\displaystyle F\), any two bases of \(\displaystyle F\) have the same cardinality.Bland then considers a free module \(\displaystyle F\) ... ... ... ... BUT ... instead of considering bases of \(\displaystyle F\) ... ... ... ... Bland, instead, shows that \(\displaystyle \{ x_\alpha + F \mathscr{m} \}_\Delta\) is a basis for the vector space \(\displaystyle F/F \mathscr{m}\) ... ... and also shows that \(\displaystyle \text{dim}_{R/ \mathscr{m}} ( F/F \mathscr{m} ) = \text{ card } ( \Delta )\)

... ... and then shows that

\(\displaystyle \text{ card } ( \Delta ) = \text{ card } ( \Gamma )\)

for any other basis \(\displaystyle \Gamma\) of the vector space \(\displaystyle F/F \mathscr{m}\)
BUT ... ... we should be showing that all bases of \(\displaystyle F\) (and NOT \(\displaystyle F/F \mathscr{m}\) ) have the same cardinality ? !... ... so then ... ... how has Bland shown that every free \(\displaystyle R\)-module \(\displaystyle F\) of the ring \(\displaystyle R\) has bases of the same cardinality?Could someone explain the logic of Bland's proof of Proposition 2.2.11 ...

I would really appreciate help ...

Peter
 
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Hi Peter,Bland considers two bases with set of indices \(\displaystyle \nabla, \Gamma \) of the free module \(\displaystyle F\) and then , in order to show they have the same cardinality, he constructs a vector space over \(\displaystyle R\) in such a way that two basis of the vector space has cardinality \(\displaystyle card(\nabla),card(\Gamma)\).
Hence \(\displaystyle card(\nabla)=card(\Gamma)\) (Becasuse it is proved that two bases of a vector space has the same cardinality) and then the cardinality of the two initial bases of $F$ is the same.
 
  • #3
Fallen Angel said:
Hi Peter,Bland considers two bases with set of indices \(\displaystyle \nabla, \Gamma \) of the free module \(\displaystyle F\) and then , in order to show they have the same cardinality, he constructs a vector space over \(\displaystyle R\) in such a way that two basis of the vector space has cardinality \(\displaystyle card(\nabla),card(\Gamma)\).
Hence \(\displaystyle card(\nabla)=card(\Gamma)\) (Becasuse it is proved that two bases of a vector space has the same cardinality) and then the cardinality of the two initial bases of $F$ is the same.

Hi Fallen Angel,

Thanks so much for your help ... really appreciate it ...

Now ... ... just reflecting on your argument ...

So you are saying that \(\displaystyle \{ x_\alpha + F \mathfrak{m} \}_{ \Delta }\) and \(\displaystyle \{ x_\beta + F \mathfrak{m} \}_{ \Gamma }\) are not only bases for the vector space \(\displaystyle F/ F \mathfrak{m}\) ... ... BUT ... are also bases for \(\displaystyle F\) as well?

But I do not see how they are bases for \(\displaystyle F\).

Are you able to explain how they are bases for \(\displaystyle F\) ... ?

Sorry to be slow ... and not follow you exactly ...

PeterPS By the way, thanks for you help with the symbol \(\displaystyle \mathfrak{m}\)***EDIT*** ***EDIT*** ***EDIT***oh! thanks to you, I think I now see the logic ... I was not reading the proof carefully enough ...

We start with a basis \(\displaystyle \{x_\alpha \}_\Delta \)of cardinality \(\displaystyle \Delta\) and then construct a basis (of the same cardinality) \(\displaystyle \{ x_\alpha + F \mathfrak{m} \}_{ \Delta }\) of the vector space \(\displaystyle F/ F \mathfrak{m}\).Then we consider another basis \(\displaystyle \{ \overline{ x}_\beta \}_\Gamma \) ... ... and through the same argument show that

\(\displaystyle \{ \overline{x}_\beta + F \mathfrak{m} \}_{ \Gamma }\)

is also a basis of the vector space \(\displaystyle F/ F \mathfrak{m}\)

Then since the dimension of a vector space is unique, we have

\(\displaystyle \text{ card } ( \Delta ) = \text{ card } ( \Gamma )\)

Is that correct?
 
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  • #4
Yeah, you got it! :D
 
  • #5
Fallen Angel said:
Yeah, you got it! :D
Yes, thanks to you!

Peter
 

FAQ: Commutative rings are IBN-rings - Bland Proposition 2.2.11

What does "Commutative rings are IBN-rings" mean?

"Commutative rings are IBN-rings" refers to a proposition in abstract algebra that states that any commutative ring with unity satisfies the invariant basis number (IBN) property. This means that every finitely generated free module over the ring has a well-defined basis and all bases have the same cardinality.

What is the significance of Bland Proposition 2.2.11?

Bland Proposition 2.2.11 is a specific case of the more general proposition that commutative rings satisfy the IBN property. It states that if a commutative ring has an infinite basis, then all bases of free modules over that ring must also be infinite.

Can you provide an example of an IBN-ring?

Yes, the ring of integers, denoted as Z, is an example of an IBN-ring. This is because any finitely generated free module over Z has a well-defined basis of only one element, which is the generator of the module.

What are some applications of IBN-rings?

IBN-rings have applications in various fields of mathematics, including algebraic geometry, commutative algebra, and representation theory. They are also used in the study of finite-dimensional algebras and their modules.

Can a non-commutative ring be an IBN-ring?

No, the IBN property only applies to commutative rings. Non-commutative rings do not necessarily have a well-defined basis for their free modules and therefore do not satisfy the IBN property.

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