Noetherian Modules - Bland, Example 3, Section 4.2 ....

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on understanding Example 3 from Section 4.2 of Paul E. Bland's book "Rings and Their Modules," specifically regarding Noetherian and Artinian modules. Participants seek clarification on the nature of the subspaces \(V_1\), \(V_2\), and \(V_3\) within the context of vector spaces and their inclusions.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants describe \(V\) as the set of sequences of real numbers under pointwise addition, defining \(V_n\) as subspaces where elements after the \(n\)th are zero.
  • Others illustrate the inclusions \(V_1 \subset V_2 \subset V_3 \subset \ldots\) and assert these are strict inclusions, with each \(V_n\) isomorphic to \(\mathbb{R}^n\).
  • A participant expresses uncertainty about how the definitions of \(V_i\) were derived from Bland's text, prompting further clarification.
  • Some participants propose that the subspace \(V_n\) can be generated by a countable subset of a basis of \(V\), emphasizing that any basis will suffice for demonstrating the ascending chain of subspaces.
  • Others note that the notation \(V_i = \bigoplus_{i=1}^n x_{\alpha_i} D\) indicates a direct sum of subspaces, with specific examples provided for \(n=1\) and \(n=2\).
  • One participant discusses the independence of basis elements and the implications for the dimensions of the subspaces.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing interpretations of Bland's notation and the derivation of the subspaces \(V_n\). While some agree on the structure and properties of the subspaces, others remain uncertain about the connections to the definitions in the text, indicating that the discussion is not fully resolved.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations regarding the assumptions made about the basis of \(V\) and the implications of the axiom of choice in constructing such bases. The discussion also reflects varying levels of comfort with the abstract concepts involved.

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I am reading Paul E. Bland's book "Rings and Their Modules" ...

Currently I am focused on Section 4.2 Noetherian and Artinian Modules [FONT=MathJax_Main][FONT=MathJax_Math] ... ...

I need some help in order to fully understand Example 3, Section 4.2 ...

Example 3, Section 4.2 reads as follows:View attachment 8095
My questions are as follows:Question 1

Can someone please explain/illustrate the nature of $$V_1$$ ... ?
Question 2

Can someone please demonstrate exactly how $$V_1 \subseteq V_2 \subseteq V_3 \subseteq$$ ...
Help will be appreciated ...

Peter
 
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Hi Peter,

Take $V=\mathbb{R}^\mathbb{N}$, the set of sequences of real numbers $(x_1,x_2,\ldots)$ under pointwise addition. $V_n$ is the subspace of sequences in which all elements after the nth are 0: $x_i=0$ for $i>n$. The first such subspaces are:

$V_1=\{(x_1,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_1\in\mathbb{R}\}$
$V_2=\{(x_1,x_2,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_,x_2\in\mathbb{R}\}$
$V_3=\{(x_1,x_2,x_3,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_1,x_2,x_3\in\mathbb{R}\}$

and so on.

I think the inclusions $V_1 \subset V_2 \subset V_3 \subset\ldots$ are rather obvious; these are strict inclusions, and each $V_n$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{R}^n$
 
castor28 said:
Hi Peter,

Take $V=\mathbb{R}^\mathbb{N}$, the set of sequences of real numbers $(x_1,x_2,\ldots)$ under pointwise addition. $V_n$ is the subspace of sequences in which all elements after the nth are 0: $x_i=0$ for $i>n$. The first such subspaces are:

$V_1=\{(x_1,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_1\in\mathbb{R}\}$
$V_2=\{(x_1,x_2,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_,x_2\in\mathbb{R}\}$
$V_3=\{(x_1,x_2,x_3,0,0,\ldots)\mid x_1,x_2,x_3\in\mathbb{R}\}$

and so on.

I think the inclusions $V_1 \subset V_2 \subset V_3 \subset\ldots$ are rather obvious; these are strict inclusions, and each $V_n$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{R}^n$
Thanks for the help, castor28 ...

Mind you ... although I can see your definition of the V_i works ... I am not sure how you derived it from the definitions given by Bland ...

Can you comment ...

Peter
 
Peter said:
Thanks for the help, castor28 ...

Mind you ... although I can see your definition of the V_i works ... I am not sure how you derived it from the definitions given by Bland ...

Can you comment ...

Peter
Hi Peter,

The idea was to show a concrete and intuitive example.

As any basis of $V$ is infinite, it contains a countable subset.
I choose the set of elements $\{e_1=(1,0\ldots), (e_2 = (0,1,0\ldots), \ldots\}$. As these elements are linearly independent, they can be completed to a basis of $V$. Note that any basis of $V$ will do, since we only need to exhibit an infinite ascending chain of subspaces, and that property does not depend on a particular choice of basis.

The subspace $V_n$ is the subspace generated by $\{e_1,\ldots,e_n,0\ldots\}$; its elements are the sequences $\{(x_1, x_2,\ldots,x_n) \mid x_i\in\mathbb{R}\}$.

Note that the $\{e_i\mid i\in\mathbb{N}\}$ do NOT constitute a basis of $V$; they only span the set of sequences with finitely many non-zero terms (the direct sum instead of the direct product). A basis of $V$ is uncountable, and the proof of its existence relies on the axiom of choice; in practice, that means that you cannot describe such a basis explicitly.

You can keep the argument at an abstract level if you prefer, without assuming any form for a "given" basis $\{e_\alpha\}$ of $V$. You can still extract a countable sequence of basis elements $(e_1,e_2,\ldots)$ (although you can no longer write them down explicitly as sequences), and, for each $n$, define $V_n$ as the subspace generated by $\{e_1,\ldots,e_n\}$, which has dimension $n$. These subspaces satisfy the stated strict inclusions, since you get $V_{n+1}$ by adding $e_{n+1}$ to $V_n$.
 
castor28 said:
Hi Peter,

The idea was to show a concrete and intuitive example.

As any basis of $V$ is infinite, it contains a countable subset.
I choose the set of elements $\{e_1=(1,0\ldots), (e_2 = (0,1,0\ldots), \ldots\}$. As these elements are linearly independent, they can be completed to a basis of $V$. Note that any basis of $V$ will do, since we only need to exhibit an infinite ascending chain of subspaces, and that property does not depend on a particular choice of basis.

The subspace $V_n$ is the subspace generated by $\{e_1,\ldots,e_n,0\ldots\}$; its elements are the sequences $\{(x_1, x_2,\ldots,x_n) \mid x_i\in\mathbb{R}\}$.

Note that the $\{e_i\mid i\in\mathbb{N}\}$ do NOT constitute a basis of $V$; they only span the set of sequences with finitely many non-zero terms (the direct sum instead of the direct product). A basis of $V$ is uncountable, and the proof of its existence relies on the axiom of choice; in practice, that means that you cannot describe such a basis explicitly.

You can keep the argument at an abstract level if you prefer, without assuming any form for a "given" basis $\{e_\alpha\}$ of $V$. You can still extract a countable sequence of basis elements $(e_1,e_2,\ldots)$ (although you can no longer write them down explicitly as sequences), and, for each $n$, define $V_n$ as the subspace generated by $\{e_1,\ldots,e_n\}$, which has dimension $n$. These subspaces satisfy the stated strict inclusions, since you get $V_{n+1}$ by adding $e_{n+1}$ to $V_n$.

Hi castor28 ... thanks again!

Still reflecting on your post ...

Note that I still have trouble interpreting what Bland meant by the notation $$V_i = \bigoplus_{ i = 1 }^n x_{ \alpha_i } D$$ ... ... and the problem of determining what it means for $$n = 1,2,3, ... ...$$

Thanks again for your thoughts and your help ...

Peter
 
Peter said:
Hi castor28 ... thanks again!

Still reflecting on your post ...

Note that I still have trouble interpreting what Bland meant by the notation $$V_i = \bigoplus_{ i = 1 }^n x_{ \alpha_i } D$$ ... ... and the problem of determining what it means for $$n = 1,2,3, ... ...$$

Thanks again for your thoughts and your help ...

Peter
Hi Peter,

In this case, we have $D=\mathbb{R}$. Let us look first at the case $n=1$. We have:
$$V_1 = e_1\mathbb{R} = \{e_1x\mid x\in\mathbb{R}\}$$

This is a one-dimensional vector space (it is the free $\mathbb{R}$-module on $e_1$)

For $n=2$, we have the direct sum of two such subspaces (this is also a subspace):
$$\begin{align*}
V_2 &= e_1\mathbb{R}\oplus e_2\mathbb{R}\\
&= \{e_1x\mid x\in\mathbb{R}\} \oplus \{e_2y\mid y\in\mathbb{R}\}\\
&= \{e_1x + e_2y\mid x,y\in\mathbb{R}\}
\end{align*}$$
Note that the sum is direct because $e_1$ and $e_2$ are independent. This shows that $V_2$ is the subspace generated by $e_1$ and $e_2$, and the argument can be continued by induction.
 
Q1:
$V_1 = x_{\alpha_1} D \cong D$, with $x_{\alpha_1} \in \Gamma = \{\alpha_1, \alpha_2, \cdots \} $. It is a one-dimensional subspace of $V$ with basis $\{ x_{\alpha_1} \}$.

$V_2 = x_{\alpha_1} D + x_{\alpha_2} D$, with $x_{\alpha_1} \neq x_{\alpha_2}$ (why?).
thus $x_{\alpha_1} D \cap x_{\alpha_2} D = 0$ thus $V_2 = x_{\alpha_1} D \oplus x_{\alpha_2} D$.
So $V_2$ is a two-dimensional vectorspace with basis $\{x_{\alpha_1}, x_{\alpha_2} \}$
And so on.

Q2:
Take two elements $x_{\alpha_i}$ and $x_{\alpha_j}$, $i \neq j$, from $\Gamma \subset \Delta$, $\Delta$ is a basis of $V$, thus $x_{\alpha_i} \neq x_{\alpha_j}$.

The double indices are annoying so I write $x_\alpha$ for $x_{\alpha_i}$ and $x_\beta$ for $x_{\alpha_j}$.

Clear is that $x_\alpha D \leq x_\alpha D + x_\beta D $, you can prove that.

However, because $x_\beta \notin x_\alpha D$, we have $x_\alpha D \neq x_\alpha D + x_\beta D $

and so $x_\alpha D < x_\alpha D + x_\beta D $:

$x_\alpha D$ is a proper subspace of $x_\alpha D + x_\beta D $

You can apply this to $V_1$, $V_2$ ...
 
Last edited:

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