How Does the Correspondence Theorem for Rings Prove Maximal Ideals?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Correspondence Theorem for Rings and its implications for understanding maximal ideals in the context of ring theory, specifically as presented in Joseph J. Rotman's "Advanced Modern Algebra." Participants are seeking clarity on how the theorem leads to the conclusion that an ideal \( I \) is maximal if and only if the quotient ring \( R/I \) has no ideals other than \( (0) \) and \( R/I \) itself.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Peter expresses confusion about the proof of Proposition 5.9 and seeks a clearer understanding of how the Correspondence Theorem applies to maximal ideals.
  • Another participant outlines the bijection between the set of ideals of \( R \) containing \( I \) and the ideals of \( R/I \), suggesting that if \( I \) is maximal, then the only ideals in \( R/I \) are \( (0) \) and \( R/I \).
  • It is noted that if \( I \) is maximal, then the set of ideals \( A \) in \( R \) is limited to \( \{ I, R \} \), leading to the conclusion that \( B \), the set of ideals in \( R/I \), must also be limited to \( \{ (0), R/I \} \).
  • Participants discuss the implications of the definitions and the structure of ideals in both \( R \) and \( R/I \), with some uncertainty about the existence of the zero ideal in the quotient ring.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants are exploring the implications of the Correspondence Theorem, but there is no consensus on the clarity of the explanation or the details of the proof. Some participants express uncertainty about specific aspects of the theorem and its application.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the ideals and the definitions used in the Correspondence Theorem. The participants have not fully resolved the mathematical steps involved in the proof or the implications of the definitions of maximal ideals.

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I am reading Joseph J. Rotman's book: Advanced Modern Algebra (AMA) and I am currently focused on Section 5.1 Prime Ideals and Maximal Ideals ...

I need some help with understanding the proof of Proposition 5.9 ... ...Proposition 5.9 reads as follows:
View attachment 5934 In the proof of Proposition 5.9, Rotman writes:

" ... ... The Correspondence Theorem for Rings shows that $$I$$ is a maximal ideal if and only if $$R/I$$ has no ideals other than $$(0)$$ and $$R/I$$ itself ... ... "

My question is: how exactly (in clear and simple terms) does Rotman's statement of the Correspondence Theorem for Rings lead to the statement that "$$I$$ is a maximal ideal if and only if $$R/I$$ has no ideals other than $$(0)$$ and $$R/I$$ itself" ... ...

Hope that someone can help ...

Peter

============================================================

The above post refers to Rotman's statement of the Correspondence Theorem for Rings, so I am providing a statement of that theorem and its proof, as follows:View attachment 5936
 
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Peter said:
I am reading Joseph J. Rotman's book: Advanced Modern Algebra (AMA) and I am currently focused on Section 5.1 Prime Ideals and Maximal Ideals ...

I need some help with understanding the proof of Proposition 5.9 ... ...Proposition 5.9 reads as follows:
In the proof of Proposition 5.9, Rotman writes:

" ... ... The Correspondence Theorem for Rings shows that $$I$$ is a maximal ideal if and only if $$R/I$$ has no ideals other than $$(0)$$ and $$R/I$$ itself ... ... "

My question is: how exactly (in clear and simple terms) does Rotman's statement of the Correspondence Theorem for Rings lead to the statement that "$$I$$ is a maximal ideal if and only if $$R/I$$ has no ideals other than $$(0)$$ and $$R/I$$ itself" ... ...

Hope that someone can help ...

Peter

============================================================

The above post refers to Rotman's statement of the Correspondence Theorem for Rings, so I am providing a statement of that theorem and its proof, as follows:
Maybe I should not be responding to my own post but I have been reflecting on the question in the above post and now suspect that the answer is quite simple and goes along the lines ... ... as follows:

$$I$$ maximal

$$\Longrightarrow$$ there are no ideals in $$R$$ that contain $$I $$ except $$R$$ itself ...

$$\Longrightarrow$$ there are no ideals in $$ R/I$$ (except $$R/I$$ itself) since there exists a bijection between the set of ideals of $$R/I$$ and the ideals of $$R$$ containing $$I$$ ... ...

BUT ... it seems that the only ideal in $$R/I$$ is $$R/I$$ itself ... but how do we explain the existence of $$(0)$$ ...?

Seems that I still need some help ... ...

Peter
 
Given $I\lhd R$ (notation: $I$ is ideal in $R$), $I$ is proper, i.e., $I\neq (0)$ and $I\neq R$.
If $J\lhd R$, define $\overline J = \{a+I \mid a\in J \}$, you can prove that $\overline J = J/I$.

Define $A= \{ J\lhd R \mid I\subset J \}$ and $B=\{ K \lhd R/I \}$.

The Correspondence Theorem says that there is a bijection $\phi : A\to B$ given by $J\mapsto \overline J=J/I$.

What does this say?
a) If we have an ideal $K\lhd R/I$ then there exists an ideal $J\lhd R$ with $I\subset J$ and $J/I=K$

b) If we have an ideal $J\lhd R$ such that $I\subset J$ then $J/I \lhd R/I$

Let $I\lhd R$ be maximal, then $I$ is proper and there are no ideals between $I$ and $R$.
This means that $A$ consists of two elements: $A= \{ I, R \}$.
Therefore, $B$ consists of two elements: $B=\{ \phi (I), \phi (R) \}$.
We have $\phi (I) = (0)$ and $\phi (R) = R/I$. Thus $B=\{ (0), R/I \}$.
$B$ is the set of ideals in $R/I$, so $R/I$ has no other ideals than $(0)$ and $R/I$.

Conversely, $R/I$ has no other ideals than $(0)$ and $R/I$, i.e., $B=\{ (0), R/I \}$.
Then $A= \{ \phi ^{-1} ((0)), \phi ^{-1} (R/I) \} = \{ I, R \}$

Can you fill in the the details and apply example 5.8, now? I am going to have a break. If necessary, we continue later.
 
steenis said:
Given $I\lhd R$ (notation: $I$ is ideal in $R$), $I$ is proper, i.e., $I\neq (0)$ and $I\neq R$.
If $J\lhd R$, define $\overline J = \{a+I \mid a\in J \}$, you can prove that $\overline J = J/I$.

Define $A= \{ J\lhd R \mid I\subset J \}$ and $B=\{ K \lhd R/I \}$.

The Correspondence Theorem says that there is a bijection $\phi : A\to B$ given by $J\mapsto \overline J=J/I$.

What does this say?
a) If we have an ideal $K\lhd R/I$ then there exists an ideal $J\lhd R$ with $I\subset J$ and $J/I=K$

b) If we have an ideal $J\lhd R$ such that $I\subset J$ then $J/I \lhd R/I$

Let $I\lhd R$ be maximal, then $I$ is proper and there are no ideals between $I$ and $R$.
This means that $A$ consists of two elements: $A= \{ I, R \}$.
Therefore, $B$ consists of two elements: $B=\{ \phi (I), \phi (R) \}$.
We have $\phi (I) = (0)$ and $\phi (R) = R/I$. Thus $B=\{ (0), R/I \}$.
$B$ is the set of ideals in $R/I$, so $R/I$ has no other ideals than $(0)$ and $R/I$.

Conversely, $R/I$ has no other ideals than $(0)$ and $R/I$, i.e., $B=\{ (0), R/I \}$.
Then $A= \{ \phi ^{-1} ((0)), \phi ^{-1} (R/I) \} = \{ I, R \}$

Can you fill in the the details and apply example 5.8, now? I am going to have a break. If necessary, we continue later.
Thanks for for your assistance, Steenis ... most helpful ...

Reflecting on what you have said ...

Thanks again,

Peter
 

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