Is every $S^{-1}R$-module flat?

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  • Thread starter Euge
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    2016
In summary, $S^{-1}R$-modules are mathematical structures that generalize vector spaces, allowing for division in the module. An $S^{-1}R$-module is flat if it satisfies the flatness condition, which means tensoring with it preserves exact sequences. Having a flat $S^{-1}R$-module has various benefits, including simplifying calculations and having good stability properties. To determine if an $S^{-1}R$-module is flat, we can use the flatness criterion. However, not all $S^{-1}R$-modules are flat, with examples such as the module $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ as a $\mathbb{Z
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Euge
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Here is this week's POTW:

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Let $R$ be a commutative ring with unity. Show that if $S$ is multiplicatively closed in $R$ and if every $R$-module is flat, then every $S^{-1}R$-module is flat.

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No one answered this week's problem. You can read my solution below.
Let $0 \to M' \to M \to M'' \to 0$ be a short exact sequence of $S^{-1}R$-modules. Given an $S^{-1}R$-module $X$, let $_RX$ be $X$ viewed as an $R$-module by restriction of scalars via the map $R \to S^{-1}R$, $r \to r/1$. There is an $S^{-1}R$-isomorphism $S^{-1}{}_RX \approx X$. Now, given an $S^{-1}R$-module $N$, $_RN$ is by hypothesis a flat $R$-module. Tensoring the exact sequence $0 \to {}_RM' \to {}_RM \to _RM'' \to 0$ with $_RN$ yields the exact sequence $0 \to {}_RM' \otimes_R {}_RN \to _RM \to {}_RM'' \otimes_R {}_RN \to 0$. Exactness of $S^{-1}$ produces the exact sequence $0 \to S^{-1}(_RM' \otimes_R {}_RN) \to S^{-1}({}_RM \otimes_R {}_RN) \to S^{-1}({}_RM'' \otimes_R {}_RN) \to 0$, which in turn yields the sequence $$0 \to S^{-1}{}_RM' \otimes_{S^{-1}R} S^{-1}{}_RN \to S^{-1}{}_RM \otimes_{S^{-1}R} S^{-1}{}_RN \to S^{-1}{}_RM'' \otimes_{S^{-1}R} S^{-1}{}_RN \to 0.$$ Thus, we obtain the exact sequence $$0 \to M' \otimes_{S^{-1}R} N \to M \otimes_{S^{-1}R} N \to M'' \otimes_{S^{-1}R} N \to 0.$$ Consequently, $N$ is a flat $S^{-1}R$-module.
 

Related to Is every $S^{-1}R$-module flat?

What is a $S^{-1}R$-module?

A $S^{-1}R$-module is a mathematical structure that represents a generalization of a vector space, where the scalars are allowed to come from a ring $R$ that has been localized at a multiplicative subset $S$. This means that elements in $S$ are treated as invertible, allowing for division in the module.

What does it mean for an $S^{-1}R$-module to be flat?

An $S^{-1}R$-module is flat if it satisfies the flatness condition, which states that tensoring with this module preserves exact sequences. This means that if we have an exact sequence of modules $M' \rightarrow M \rightarrow M''$, then tensoring with the flat module $N$ will give us another exact sequence $N \otimes M' \rightarrow N \otimes M \rightarrow N \otimes M''$.

What are the benefits of having a flat $S^{-1}R$-module?

A flat $S^{-1}R$-module has many useful properties. It allows us to perform localization and change of rings in a more convenient manner, and can also simplify calculations involving homomorphisms and homology groups. Additionally, flat modules have good stability properties under certain operations, making them important in algebraic geometry and commutative algebra.

How do we determine if an $S^{-1}R$-module is flat?

One way to determine if an $S^{-1}R$-module is flat is to use the flatness criterion, which states that a module is flat if and only if it is torsion-free and satisfies the going-up property. This means that if we have an inclusion of modules $M' \subset M$ and an element $x \in M$, then there exists an element $y \in M'$ such that $x \otimes 1 = y \otimes 1$ in $S^{-1}R \otimes M$.

Are all $S^{-1}R$-modules flat?

No, not all $S^{-1}R$-modules are flat. In fact, there are many examples of modules that are not flat. One simple example is the module $M = \mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ as a $\mathbb{Z}$-module. This module is not flat because tensoring with $M$ does not preserve exactness.

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