Proving Maximal Ideal of $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]$

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that the ideal $I=$ is a maximal ideal of the polynomial ring $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]$. Participants explore various approaches to demonstrate that the quotient $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/I$ is isomorphic to a field, which is a necessary condition for maximality. The discussion includes theoretical reasoning, mathematical proofs, and clarifications of concepts related to ideals and quotient rings.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that showing $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/(X-1,Y+X^2-1)$ is a field is equivalent to proving that $(X-1,Y+X^2-1)$ is a maximal ideal.
  • One participant proposes defining a mapping $\phi: \mathbb{C}[X,Y] \to \mathbb{C}$ to demonstrate that the kernel of this mapping contains the ideal $I$ and that $\phi$ is surjective, thus establishing the isomorphism.
  • Another participant questions the reasoning behind viewing $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/(X-1,Y+X^2-1)$ as polynomials subject to the relations $X - 1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$.
  • Some participants explore alternative methods to show the isomorphism to $\mathbb{C}$, including defining different homomorphisms and discussing their properties.
  • There are inquiries about the correctness of certain steps in the proposed proofs, particularly regarding the use of the binomial theorem and the structure of the kernels of the homomorphisms.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the goal of proving that the ideal is maximal by showing the quotient is a field, but multiple competing approaches and methods are presented, leading to some uncertainty and debate about the best way to proceed.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express confusion regarding the definitions and properties of the quotient ring and the ideal, indicating that further clarification may be necessary. There are also unresolved questions about the correctness of specific mathematical steps in the proposed proofs.

evinda
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Hello! (Wave)

How can I show that the ideal $I=<X-1,Y+X^2-1>$ is a maximal ideal of $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]$ ? (Thinking)
 
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Perhaps you can use the equivalence:
$$\frac{\mathbb{C}[X,Y]}{(X-1,Y+X^2-1) }\ \mbox{is a field} \ \Leftrightarrow (X-1,Y+X^2-1) \ \mbox{is a maximal ideal in} \ \mathbb{C}[X,Y]$$

That means if you can show that $\frac{\mathbb{C}[X,Y]}{(X-1,Y+X^2-1)}$ is isomorphic to a field, you're done.
 
Adding to Siron's point, consider what the elements of $\Bbb C_1 := \Bbb C[X,Y]/<X-1,Y+X^2-1>$ look like. You can view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set of polynomials in $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ subject to the relations $X -1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$. Those relations are equivalent to $X = 1$ and $Y = 0$. Thus, $\Bbb C_1$ can be identified with the set of all constant polynomials over $\Bbb C$, i.e., $\Bbb C_1$ can be identified with $\Bbb C$.

To be more rigorous, define a mapping $\phi: \Bbb C[X,Y] \to \Bbb C$ by setting $\phi(f(x,y)) = f(1,0)$. Show that $\phi$ is a $\Bbb C$-linear map. The kernel $\text{ker}(\phi)$ contains $I$ since $X - 1$ and $Y + X^2 - 1$ map to zero under $\phi$. On the other hand, if $f\in \text{ker}(\phi)$, then since $X - 1$ and $Y$ belong to $I$ ($Y\in I$ since $Y = (Y + X^2 - 1) + (1 - X)(Y - 1)$),

$$ f(X,Y) = \sum_{1\, \le i + j\, \le \deg(f)} \frac{\partial^{i+j}(f)}{\partial X^i\, \partial Y^j}(1,0)\, (X - 1)^i Y^j \in I.$$

Thus $\text{ker}(\phi) = I$. Now you just have to show that $\phi$ is surjective. Then you can claim that $\Bbb C_1$ is isomorphic to $\Bbb C$. Since $\Bbb C$ is a field, it follows from Siron's comment that $I$ is maximal in $\Bbb C[X,Y]$.
 
Could you explain me further the definition of:
$$\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$$
? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
Could you explain me further the definition of:
$$\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$$
? (Thinking)

It's the quotient of $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ by the ideal $<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$. It consists of all cosets $p(X,Y) + <X - 1, Y + X^2 - 1>$ where $p(X,Y) \in \Bbb C[X,Y]$.
 
Euge said:
It's the quotient of $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ by the ideal $<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$. It consists of all cosets $p(X,Y) + <X - 1, Y + X^2 - 1>$ where $p(X,Y) \in \Bbb C[X,Y]$.

A ok.. (Nod) How could I continue, in order to show that $\Bbb C[X,Y]/<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$ ? (Thinking)
 
evinda said:
A ok.. (Nod) How could I continue, in order to show that $\Bbb C[X,Y]/<X-1, Y+X^2-1>$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$ ? (Thinking)

Please refer back to post #3. :D
 
Euge said:
You can view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set of polynomials in $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ subject to the relations $X -1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$. Those relations are equivalent to $X = 1$ and $Y = 0$. Thus, $\Bbb C_1$ can be identified with the set of all constant polynomials over $\Bbb C$, i.e., $\Bbb C_1$ can be identified with $\Bbb C$.

Could you explain me why we view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set of polynomials in $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ subject to the relations $X -1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$? (Worried)
 
evinda said:
Could you explain me why we view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set of polynomials in $\Bbb C[X,Y]$ subject to the relations $X -1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$? (Worried)

Let $\overline{g(X,Y)} \in \Bbb C_1$ denote the equivalence class of a complex polynomial $g(X,Y)$. Given $f(X,Y) = \sum_{i,j} a_{ij} X^i Y^j \in \Bbb C[X,Y]$, we have $\overline{f(X,Y)} = \sum_{i,j} a_{ij}\overline{X}^i \overline{Y}^j$. In addition, $\overline{X - 1} = 0$ and $\overline{Y + X^2 - 1} = 0$, i.e., $\overline{X} - \overline{1} = 0$ and $\overline{Y} + \overline{X}^2 - \overline{1} = 0$. If we associate $X$ with $\overline{X}$ and $Y$ with $\overline{Y}$, then we may view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set polynomials subject to the relations $X - 1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$.
 
  • #10
Euge said:
Let $\overline{g(X,Y)} \in \Bbb C_1$ denote the equivalence class of a complex polynomial $g(X,Y)$. Given $f(X,Y) = \sum_{i,j} a_{ij} X^i Y^j \in \Bbb C[X,Y]$, we have $\overline{f(X,Y)} = \sum_{i,j} a_{ij}\overline{X}^i \overline{Y}^j$. In addition, $\overline{X - 1} = 0$ and $\overline{Y + X^2 - 1} = 0$, i.e., $\overline{X} - \overline{1} = 0$ and $\overline{Y} + \overline{X}^2 - \overline{1} = 0$. If we associate $X$ with $\overline{X}$ and $Y$ with $\overline{Y}$, then we may view $\Bbb C_1$ as the set polynomials subject to the relations $X - 1 = 0$ and $Y + X^2 - 1 = 0$.

Is this the only way to show that $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/<X-1,Y+X^2-1>$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$ ? (Thinking)
 
  • #11
evinda said:
Is this the only way to show that $\mathbb{C}[X,Y]/<X-1,Y+X^2-1>$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$ ? (Thinking)

No, follow the steps in the second paragraph of post #3.
 
  • #12
Could we do it like that?

Since $\langle x-1,y+x^2-1\rangle =\langle x-1, y\rangle$ we have to show that $\mathbb{C}/\langle x-1,y\rangle$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$.

We define the homomorphism $\phi(z)=z, \forall z\in \mathbb{C} , \phi(x)=1, \phi(y)=0$.

A polynomial in $\mathbb{C}$ is of the form $$\sum a_{mn} x^m y^n=\sum a_{mn} (x-1+1)^my^n=\sum a_{mn}\binom{m}{k} (x-1)^ky^n$$

Let $p(x)=q(x)+\sum a_{mn} \binom{m}{k} (x-1)^ky^n$
$$\phi(p(x))=q(x)\Rightarrow \phi(p(x))=0 \Leftrightarrow x-1 \mid p(x) \text{ and } y\mid p(x)$$ $$\Rightarrow ker \phi=\langle x-1,y\rangle$$

From the theorem :

Let $R,S$ rings and $\phi :R\to S$ homomorphism. There exists an isomirphism between the rings $R/ker \phi $ and $S$.

we have that $\mathbb{C}[x,y]/\langle x-1, y+x^2-1\rangle $ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$.

Is it right? Or have I done something wrong? (Thinking)
 
  • #13
evinda said:
Could we do it like that?

Since $\langle x-1,y+x^2-1\rangle =\langle x-1, y\rangle$ we have to show that $\mathbb{C}/\langle x-1,y\rangle$ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$.

We define the homomorphism $\phi(z)=z, \forall z\in \mathbb{C} , \phi(x)=1, \phi(y)=0$.

A polynomial in $\mathbb{C}$ is of the form $$\sum a_{mn} x^m y^n=\sum a_{mn} (x-1+1)^my^n=\sum a_{mn}\binom{m}{k} (x-1)^ky^n$$ I think you are using Binomial theorem. In that case shouldn't there be one more summation appearing in the last term? I may have missed something. [/color]

Let $p(x)=q(x)+\sum a_{mn} \binom{m}{k} (x-1)^ky^n$
$$\phi(p(x))=q(x)\Rightarrow \phi(p(x))=0 \Leftrightarrow x-1 \mid p(x) \text{ and } y\mid p(x)$$ $$\Rightarrow ker \phi=\langle x-1,y\rangle$$

From the theorem :

Let $R,S$ rings and $\phi :R\to S$ homomorphism. There exists an isomirphism between the rings $R/ker \phi $ and $S$.

we have that $\mathbb{C}[x,y]/\langle x-1, y+x^2-1\rangle $ is isomorphic to $\mathbb{C}$.

Is it right? Or have I done something wrong? (Thinking)

Now. Here's another way of doing it.

Define homomorpsim $\phi:\mathbf C[x,y]\to \mathbf C[y]$ which sends $x$ to $1$, $y$ to $y$ ans preserves each element of $\mathbf C$. (There is a unique homomorphism with this property.)

Since $\phi$ is surjective, by the First Isomorphism Theorem, we have

$$\mathbf C[x,y]/\langle x-1\rangle\cong \mathbf C[y]$$.

Now define $I=\langle x-1,y\rangle$.

Note that $I$ contains $\ker\phi$ and thus by the lattice theorem we have

$$\mathbf C[x,y]/I\cong C[y]/\phi(I)$$

Now $\phi(I)=\langle y\rangle$. Can you finish?
 

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