Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-algebra-analysis-and-differential-equations-1-course-of-the-university-of-oxford/2012/3/a/solution
Past exam of the algebra, analysis and differential equations 1 course of the University of Oxford 2012 3 a Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-31
A prime ideal is a proper ideal such that implies or . A maximal ideal is a proper ideal such that there is no ideal strictly between and .
Every ideal of the integers has the form for a unique nonnegative integer . Its prime ideals and maximal ideals are respectivelyThe zero ideal is a prime ideal because the integers form an integral domain. For a prime number , divisibility of by forces divisibility of one factor, so is a prime ideal. Also any ideal containing has , so it equals or ; thus is a maximal ideal.
If is composite, write with . Then while neither factor belongs to , so is not a prime ideal. A prime number gives , so is not a maximal ideal either. The zero ideal is not maximal since , and is not proper.
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