Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2005/iii/paper-85/2/solution

The variable is central. To prove the leading-coefficient proof for a central polynomial extension, let be any right ideal of and set
Zero leading coefficients are allowed. Addition and right multiplication by constants show that is a right ideal. Multiplication by gives . Since is a right Noetherian ring, this chain stabilizes, say at , and each for has finitely many generators . Choose of degree at most lifting these coefficients.
These finitely many polynomial lifts generate on the right. Indeed, for of degree , let . Write its leading coefficient as . Then
belongs to and has degree less than , because when . Induction on degree reduces to a right linear combination of the chosen lifts. This proves finite generation of every right ideal, and hence
Centrality matters: it is what permits the displayed leading-coefficient cancellation without twisting the coefficients.

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