Primary Ideals, prime ideals and maximal ideals - D&F Section 15.2

In summary: Proposition 19 Part (5) from Dummit and Foote's Section 15.2. The proposition states that if M is a maximal ideal and Q is an ideal with M^n \subseteq Q \subseteq M for some n \geq 1, then Q is a primary ideal with rad Q = M. The proof of this proposition involves showing that rad M = M, which is possible because M is a maximal ideal and thus cannot be contained in any other ideal. This also means that rad M cannot be equal to R, as that would imply M = R, which is not possible for a maximal ideal.
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I am studying Dummit and Foote Section 15.2. I am trying to understand the proof of Proposition 19 Part (5) on page 682 (see attachment)

Proposition 19 Part (5) reads as follows:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proposition 19.

... ...

(5) Suppose M is a maximal ideal and Q is an ideal with [TEX] M^n \subseteq Q \subseteq M [/TEX] for some [TEX] n \ge 1 [/TEX].

Then Q is a primary idea, with rad Q = M

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The proof of (5) above reads as follows:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Proof.

Suppose [TEX] M^n \subseteq Q \subseteq M [/TEX] for some [TEX] n \ge 1 [/TEX] where M is a maximal idea.

Then [TEX] Q \subseteq M [/TEX] so [TEX] rad \ Q \subseteq rad \ M = M [/TEX].

... ... etc

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My problem is as follows:

Why can we be sure that rad M = M?

I know that M is maximal and so no ideal in R can contain M. We also know that [TEX] M \subseteq rad \ M [/TEX]

Thus either rad M = M (the conclusion D&F use) or rad M = R?

How do we know that [TEX] rad \ M \ne R [/TEX]?

Would appreciate some help.

Peter
 
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  • #2
Like you said, we have [tex]M \subseteq \mbox{Rad} \ M[/tex] which implies that [tex]M = \mbox{Rad}\ M[/tex] as [tex]M[/tex] is a maximal ideal. Why is [tex]\mbox{Rad} \ M \neq R[/tex]? Suppose that [tex]\mbox{Rad} \ M = R[/tex] then [tex]M=R[/tex] but that's impossible by definition of a maximal ideal.
 
  • #3
Siron said:
Like you said, we have [tex]M \subseteq \mbox{Rad} \ M[/tex] which implies that [tex]M = \mbox{Rad}\ M[/tex] as [tex]M[/tex] is a maximal ideal. Why is [tex]\mbox{Rad} \ M \neq R[/tex]? Suppose that [tex]\mbox{Rad} \ M = R[/tex] then [tex]M=R[/tex] but that's impossible by definition of a maximal ideal.


Thanks for the helpful post, Siron

Peter
 

FAQ: Primary Ideals, prime ideals and maximal ideals - D&F Section 15.2

What is the difference between a primary ideal, prime ideal, and maximal ideal?

A primary ideal is a proper ideal in a ring where any zero-divisor lies in its radical. A prime ideal is a proper ideal in a ring where the product of any two elements in the ring lies in the ideal. A maximal ideal is an ideal that is not properly contained in any other proper ideal.

How do primary ideals, prime ideals, and maximal ideals relate to each other?

Every maximal ideal is a prime ideal, and every prime ideal is a primary ideal. However, the converse is not always true. In general, a primary ideal is contained in a prime ideal, which is contained in a maximal ideal.

What is the significance of primary ideals, prime ideals, and maximal ideals in ring theory?

These types of ideals help us understand the structure of a ring and its elements. They also have important applications in algebraic geometry, commutative algebra, and algebraic number theory.

Can a primary ideal be maximal?

No, a primary ideal cannot be maximal. This is because if an ideal is maximal, it means it is not properly contained in any other proper ideal. However, a primary ideal is always contained in a prime ideal, which is itself contained in a maximal ideal.

How are primary ideals, prime ideals, and maximal ideals related to zero-divisors in a ring?

A primary ideal is closely related to zero-divisors, as it is an ideal where all zero-divisors in the ring lie in its radical. Prime ideals and maximal ideals are also related to zero-divisors, as they are ideals that help us understand and classify zero-divisors in a ring.

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