MHB Prime and Maximal Ideals .... Bland -AA - Theorem 3.2.16 .... ....

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the proof of Theorem 3.2.16 from "The Basics of Abstract Algebra" by Paul E. Bland, specifically regarding the properties of prime ideals. The theorem states that if \( n_1 n_2 = p \) where \( p \) is a prime ideal in \( p \mathbb{Z} \), then it follows that either \( n_1 \in p \mathbb{Z} \) or \( n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z} \). This conclusion is derived directly from the definition of a prime ideal, which asserts that for any elements \( x \) and \( y \) in a prime ideal \( P \), if \( xy \in P \), then at least one of \( x \) or \( y \) must also belong to \( P \).

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I am reading The Basics of Abstract Algebra by Paul E. Bland ...

I am focused on Section 3.2 Subrings, Ideals and Factor Rings ... ...

I need help with the proof of Theorem 3.2.16 ... ... Theorem 3.2.16 and its proof reads as follows:
View attachment 8266
In the above proof of $$(3) \Longrightarrow (1)$$ by Bland, we read the following:

" ... ... Then $$n_1 n_2 = p \in p \mathbb{Z}$$, so either $$n_1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$$ or $$n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$$. ... ... Can someone please explain how/why exactly ... $$n_1 n_2 = p \in p \mathbb{Z}$$ implies that either $$n_1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$$ or $$n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$$. ... ... Peter
========================================================
***NOTE***

It may help readers to have access to Bland's definition of a prime ideal ... so I am providing the same as follows:
View attachment 8267
View attachment 8268
Sorry about the legibility ... but Bland shades his definitions ...Peter
 
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The answer to your question lies in the definition: if $P$ is a prime ideal and $xy \in P$, then eiter $x \in P$ or $y \in P$.

It is given that $p \mathbb{Z}$ is aprime ideal, of course $p=p1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$. So, if $p=n_1 n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$, then either $n_1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$ or $n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$ by definition.
 
steenis said:
The answer to your question lies in the definition: if $P$ is a prime ideal and $xy \in P$, then eiter $x \in P$ or $y \in P$.

It is given that $p \mathbb{Z}$ is aprime ideal, of course $p=p1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$. So, if $p=n_1 n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$, then either $n_1 \in p \mathbb{Z}$ or $n_2 \in p \mathbb{Z}$ by definition.

Thanks Steenis ...

Peter
 

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