# Algebra question - rings and ideals

1. Feb 24, 2008

### quasar987

[SOLVED] Algebra question - rings and ideals

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Let R be a (nonzero) commutative ring with identity and I be an ideal of I. Denote (I) the ideal of R[x] generated by I. The book says that (I) is the set of polynomials with coefficients in I. Why is that?

3. The attempt at a solution

Call A the set of polynomials with coefficients in I.

R is commutative and so is R[x], therefor (I) is simply given by

(I) = {a*p(x): a is in I and p(x) in R[x]}

So clearly (I) is a subset of A.

But for the other inclusion, given b_0+...+b_nx^n in A, we need to find an element a in I and a set {a_0,...,a_n} in R such that a*a_i = b_i for all i=1,...,n.

How is this achieved??

2. Feb 24, 2008

### morphism

If b_0+...+b_nx^n is in A, then b_0, ..., b_n are all in I, and thus in (I). The latter is an ideal, so b_kx^k is certainly in (I), and so is the sum of such things.

Edit:
I don't really see how this follows. I would instead prove that A is an ideal of R that contains I and hence contains (I) by definition.

Last edited: Feb 24, 2008
3. Feb 24, 2008

### quasar987

Of course it does not follows! I was confused.