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An elliptic curve works over every algebraically closed field, including one algebraic over a finite field. Give it explicitly in ${\mathbb{P}}^2$ byIn the first case the only point at infinity is $O=[0:1:0]$, where the derivative with respect to $z$ is nonzero. In the affine chart $z=1$, a singular point of an algebraic variety would have $y=0$, $x^3-x=0$, and $3x^2-1=0$. The possible roots $x=0,1,-1$ cannot satisfy the last equation in characteristic different from $2$: at $0$ it is $-1$, and at $\pm 1$ it is $2$. In the second case the three homogeneous partial derivatives are $x^2,z^2,y^2$, up to harmless signs, and cannot vanish simultaneously at a projective point. Thus both cubics are smooth varieties. A reducible plane cubic would have intersecting positive-degree components by Bézout theorem, and be singular at an intersection; therefore these smooth cubics are irreducible varieties. The genus-degree formula gives $g=(3-1)(3-2)/2=1$. With the marked point $O$ they are elliptic curves.

For a smooth algebraic curve, its divisor class group is its Picard group. Its degree-zero subgroup isThe map $P\mapsto [P-O]$ gives an isomorphism of abelian groupsTo recall why it is a bijection, Riemann-Roch theorem in geometric genus one says every degree-one divisor class has exactly one independent section: a canonical divisor has degree zero, so the dual degree-$-1$ term has no section. Thus the class contains one effective divisor on an algebraic curve of degree one, namely a point $P$, and that point is unique. Translating by $-O$ gives the claimed bijection; this is precisely the chord-and-tangent group law on the elliptic curve.

Choose a prime integer $\ell$ different from $\mathrm{char}k$. The multiplication-by-n morphism $[\ell ]:E\to E$ has derivative $\ell$ times the identity at $O$, so it is nonconstant. A nonconstant morphism of algebraic varieties between smooth projective curves is surjective: its image is closed by proper morphism and cannot have algebraic dimension zero. Since $k$ is an algebraically closed field, this makes $[\ell ]$ surjective on $k$-points. ThereforeYet $E(k)$ is infinite. For each $x\in k$, the affine equation has a solution for $y$ in the algebraically closed field; since $k$ is infinite, this gives infinitely many points.

By the Fundamental theorem of finitely generated abelian groups, a finitely generated abelian group $A$ satisfying $A=\ell A$ has no free part and is a finite torsion group of order prime to $\ell$. The infinite group $E(k)$ cannot have this property while being finitely generated. Thus ${\mathrm{Pic}}^0(E)$ is not finitely generated. A subgroup of a finitely generated abelian group is finitely generated, soThis proof uses divisibility and infinitude, rather than uncountability, so it remains valid over countable algebraically closed fields.

For a smooth projective curve $C$, let $g=h^1(C,{\mathcal{O}}_C)$ be its geometric genus, let $K_C$ be a canonical divisor, and write $\ell (D)=h^0(C,{\mathcal{O}}_C(D))$ for the dimension of a vector space of the Riemann-Roch space. The Riemann-Roch theorem saysfor every divisor on an algebraic curve $D$ on $C$.

Here is the cohomological proof of Riemann-Roch for curves. At a closed point $P$, the local ring is a discrete valuation ring. A local uniformizer shows that increasing the allowed pole order by one gives the short exact sequence of sheavesThe last term is a length-one skyscraper sheaf; its precise identification with $k$ is noncanonical, but its sheaf cohomology has $h^0=1$ and $h^1=0$. All the relevant groups of sheaf cohomology are finite-dimensional because $C$ is a projective variety, and coherent sheaf cohomology above degree one vanishes on a algebraic curve. The long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology therefore givesSince $k$ is an algebraically closed field, every closed point has degree one. Iterating this identity for both positive and negative coefficients of $D$ provesEvery global regular function on a projective variety which is an irreducible variety is constant; hence $h^0(C,{\mathcal{O}}_C)=1$ and $\chi ({\mathcal{O}}_C)=1-g$.

Finally apply Serre duality for a smooth projective curve:Taking dimensions of a vector space and inserting this in the Euler characteristic of a coherent sheaf identity proves the displayed Riemann-Roch theorem. The substantial inputs from sheaf cohomology are finiteness and vanishing for coherent sheaves on a projective curve, and Serre duality; the change of Euler characteristic of a coherent sheaf is proved directly by the point exact sequence. In particular the argument handles negative as well as effective divisors on an algebraic curve.

For a nonnegative integer $r$, a Cr field is a field over which every homogeneous polynomial of positive degree $d$ in $N>d^r$ variables has a nontrivial zero. Thus a C1 field uses the bound $N>d$, and a C2 field uses $N>d^2$.

The required field theorems are as follows. The Chevalley-Warning theorem implies that every finite field is $C_1$: the number of zeros of a polynomial with degree smaller than its number of variables is divisible by the characteristic, and for a homogeneous polynomial the origin is already a zero. The Lang-Nagata theorem for Ci fields states that a finitely generated extension of transcendence degree $s$ of a $C_r$ field is $C_{r+s}$. The Tsen theorem states that the function field of a curve over an algebraically closed field is $C_1$. In particular, finite fields, algebraically closed fields and fields such as $\mathbb{C}(t)$ are examples of $C_1$ fields. A function field of one variable over a finite field is $C_2$ by the Lang theorem. These are statements of the theorems; no theorem proof is needed here.

For the requested finite extension stability of C1 fields, let $m=[L:K]$ and choose a $K$-basis $u_1,\dots ,u_m$ of $L$. Given a homogeneous $f\in L[X_1,\dots ,X_N]$ of degree $d$ with $N>d$, substitute $X_i={\sum }_j{x}_{ij}{u}_j$ and take the field norm:The field norm is the determinant of multiplication on the $m$-dimensional $K$-space $L$, hence a homogeneous polynomial of degree $m$ in its coordinates. Consequently $F$ is homogeneous of degree $md$ in $mN>md$ variables over $K$. The $C_1$ property gives a nonzero coordinate vector $(x_{ij})$ with $F=0$. Its corresponding vector $(X_i)\in L^N$ is nonzero, since the $u_j$ are a basis. The norm of a field element vanishes only for the zero element, so $f(X_1,\dots ,X_N)=0$. Every finite extension of a $C_1$ field is $C_1$. This proof includes inseparable finite extensions, because the determinant definition of the field norm requires no separability.

Let $k$ be the full constant field of $K$. It is a finite extension of the given finite field, hence is itself finite. Since $k$ is perfect and algebraically closed in $K$, the one-variable extension $K/k$ is regular. In a common algebraic closure, put $E=K\overline{k}$. Then $E$ is the function field of a geometrically integral curve over the algebraically closed field $\overline{k}$.

The Tsen theorem makes $E$ a $C_1$ field, and the preceding argument gives $\mathrm{Br}(E)=0$. Thus $A{\otimes }_{K}E$ is a matrix algebra. A splitting isomorphism and its inverse involve only finitely many coefficients in $E$. All these coefficients lie in $K{k}^{\prime }$ for some finite extension $k^{\prime }/k$, since $E$ is the union of these finite constant extensions. The two isomorphism identities consequently already hold over $K{k}^{\prime }$, so $A$ splits there.

Finite extensions of a finite field are cyclic, and regularity gives $K\cap k^{\prime }=k$ and preserves their degree under this scalar extension. Thereforeis cyclic. A finite cyclic extension of constants splits $A$. This is cyclic splitting by extension of constants. The argument does not assert that the splitting extension has degree exactly the index of $A$; a larger cyclic constant extension is sufficient for the requested conclusion.

Let $A=\mathbb{C}[x,y,z]$. This polynomial ring is a unique factorization domain of Krull dimension three. For a height-one prime in a unique factorization domain $\mathfrak{p}$, choose a nonzero element of it and an irreducible factor $q$ belonging to $\mathfrak{p}$. In a unique factorization domain, $q$ is prime, so $(q)$ is a nonzero prime ideal contained in $\mathfrak{p}$. Strict containment would give a chain $(0)⊊(q)⊊\mathfrak{p}$ of length two. ThusIf $\mathfrak{p}$ has height three, it is maximal: any strictly larger proper prime would extend a length-three chain and contradict $\dim A=3$. The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz over the algebraically closed field $\mathbb{C}$ then givesfor some $a,b,c\in \mathbb{C}$. This proves both requested generator assertions.

For the monomial curve with exponents three, four and five, putAll three map to zero under the given parametrization, so $J\subseteq I=\ker \phi$. Reduce any monomial using $y^2\mapsto xz$, $yz\mapsto x^3$ and $z^2\mapsto x^{2}y$. Each reduction decreases the sum of the exponents of $y,z$, so it terminates. Every polynomial has, modulo $J$, the formIts image is $A_0(t^3)+t^4{A}_1(t^3)+t^5{A}_2(t^3)$. These three terms occupy different exponent classes modulo three, so they cannot cancel. A zero image forces each $A_i=0$. ConsequentlyThe quotient is the domain $\mathbb{C}[t^3,t^4,t^5]$, hence $I$ is a prime ideal. It is finite free over $\mathbb{C}[t^3]$, with basis of a module $1,t^4,t^5$, by the same normal-form argument. Its dimension is therefore one, using that integral extensions preserve Krull dimension. The polynomial-ring height and dimension formula givesFor the generator obstruction, let $\mathfrak{m}=(x,y,z)$. Since $I\subseteq {\mathfrak{m}}^2$, we have $\mathfrak{m}I\subseteq {\mathfrak{m}}^3$. The degree-two initial forms of $g_1,g_2,g_3$ areThey are linearly independent over $\mathbb{C}$ in ${\mathfrak{m}}^2/{\mathfrak{m}}^3$. Thus no nonzero constant linear combination of the $g_i$ belongs to $\mathfrak{m}I$, and their classes are independent in $I/\mathfrak{m}I$. Since the three generators span that quotient,Two global generators would span it by two vectors, which is impossible. This is the initial-form lower bound for ideal generators; it shows why height two does not force two generators, even though height one and height three behave as above.

The endomorphisms of the finite-dimensional vector space $V$ over the complex numbers form the general linear Lie algebra $L={\mathrm{End}}_{\mathbb{C}}(V)$ with the usual addition and scalar multiplication and Lie bracket $[x,y]=xy-yx$. This commutator is bilinear and antisymmetric, and expanding the six products verifies the Jacobi identity.

For a Lie subalgebra $\mathfrak{g}=L_1$, being an abelian Lie algebra means $[\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{g}]=0$. A nilpotent Lie algebra has ${\gamma }_1=\mathfrak{g}$, ${\gamma }_{j+1}=[\mathfrak{g},{\gamma }_j]$ eventually zero; a solvable Lie algebra has ${\mathfrak{g}}^{(0)}=\mathfrak{g}$, ${\mathfrak{g}}^{(j+1)}=[{\mathfrak{g}}^{(j)},{\mathfrak{g}}^{(j)}]$ eventually zero. These are the lower central series of a Lie algebra and derived series of a Lie algebra, respectively. Nilpotence is a condition on the Lie bracket, and does not require every member to be a nilpotent endomorphism: a nonzero scalar multiple of the identity spans an abelian Lie algebra.

A flag of a vector space is an increasing chain of vector subspaces. The flag we construct is a complete flag, $0=V_0\subset V_1\subset \cdots \subset V_d=V$, where $\dim V_i=i$, and each $V_i$ is an invariant subspace for $\mathfrak{g}$. We first prove the common-eigenvector assertion in the Lie theorem, by induction on $\dim \mathfrak{g}$; the zero algebra is immediate. For nonzero solvable $\mathfrak{g}$, its derived algebra is proper, so there is a codimension-one ideal of a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{k}$ containing $[\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{g}]$. Write $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{k}\oplus \mathbb{C}x$. By induction there are $v\ne 0$ and a linear functional $\lambda$ on $\mathfrak{k}$ such that $kv=\lambda (k)v$ for every $k\in \mathfrak{k}$.

Let $W$ be the cyclic subspace spanned by $v,xv,x^{2}v,\dots$. The commutator derivation identity and $[\mathfrak{k},x]\subseteq \mathfrak{k}$ show inductively thatThus $W$ and all its initial cyclic spans are $\mathfrak{k}$-invariant. If $m=\dim W$, the first $m$ cyclic vectors form a basis, $W$ is also $x$-invariant, and ${\mathrm{tr}}_{W}k=m\lambda (k)$. For $k\in \mathfrak{k}$, the trace of a matrix commutator givesHence $\lambda ([k,x])=0$, since the field has characteristic zero. The nonzero common weight spaceis $x$-invariant: $k(xw)=x(kw)+[k,x]w=\lambda (k)xw$. The restriction of $x$ to $V_{\lambda }$ has an eigenvector, because $\mathbb{C}$ is an algebraically closed field. This is a common eigenvector for $\mathfrak{g}$. Its line is invariant, and repeating the argument on the quotient vector space gives the complete invariant flag. Equivalently, this proves simultaneous triangularization of a Lie algebra representation.

In a basis adapted to this complete flag, every member of $\mathfrak{g}$ is upper triangular, so every member of its derived algebra is strictly upper triangular. Products of $d$ strictly upper triangular matrices vanish, and each iterated Lie bracket of $d$ such matrices is a sum of these products. Consequently the derived algebra is a nilpotent Lie algebra. We may therefore take $L_2=[L_1,L_1]$: it is an ideal, and the quotient Lie algebra $L_1/L_2$ is abelian. This also covers $\dim V=0$.

The Noether normalization lemma is valid over every field $k$, including finite fields: a nonzero finitely generated algebra $C$ contains elements $y_1,\dots ,y_d$ with algebraic independence over $k$ such that $C$ is finite as a module over the polynomial ring $k[y_1,\dots ,y_d]$. We prove it without an infinite-field hypothesis.

Write $C=k[a_1,\dots ,a_n]$ and induct on $n$. If the generators have algebraic independence, they already give a polynomial ring and the assertion is immediate. Otherwise choose a nonzero relation $F(a_1,\dots ,a_n)=0$. Choose an integer $M$ larger than every exponent in the monomials of $F$, and setIn $F(Y_1+T^M,Y_2+T^{M^2},\dots ,Y_{n-1}+T^{M^{n-1}},T)$, the largest power of $T$ has a nonzero coefficient in $k$. Indeed, a monomial with exponents $(e_1,\dots ,e_n)$ contributes top weight $e_n+{\sum }_{i<n}{e}_i{M}^i$. These weights are distinct by uniqueness of base-$M$ expansion, so only one monomial contributes the highest power. After rescaling, the substituted relation is monic in $T$.

Consequently $a_n$ is an integral element over $C^{\prime }=k[b_1,\dots ,b_{n-1}]$, and $C=C^{\prime }[a_n]$ is finite over $C^{\prime }$. Apply the induction hypothesis to $C^{\prime }$ and compose the finite module extensions. This proves Noether normalization by weighted substitutions. The induction reaches $n=0$, where $C=k$. For an integral domain $C$, taking fraction fields makes the resulting extension finite algebraic, so $d$ is the transcendence degree of $\mathrm{Frac}(C)/k$. More generally $d=\dim C$: integral extensions preserve Krull dimension, and a polynomial algebra in $d$ variables has Krull dimension $d$.

A useful bridge to the Hilbert Nullstellensatz is the Zariski lemma. If a field $E$ is a finitely generated algebra over $k$, normalization makes it finite and integral over a polynomial ring $P=k[y_1,\dots ,y_d]$. A subring over which a field is integral is a field: for nonzero $a\in P$, an integral equation for $a^{-1}\in E$, multiplied by $a^{r-1}$, expresses $a^{-1}$ as an element of $P$. Therefore $P$ must be a field. A polynomial ring in a positive number of variables is not a field, since a variable has no polynomial inverse. Hence $d=0$ and $E/k$ is a finite field extension. This proves the Zariski lemma.

Now let $k$ be an algebraically closed field. The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that every maximal ideal of $k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$ is uniquely of the formTo prove it, the residue field $k[X]/\mathfrak{m}$ is a field generated as a $k$-algebra by the images of the variables. The Zariski lemma makes it finite algebraic over $k$, and algebraic closedness makes it $k$. Thus each $X_i$ has an image $a_i\in k$. The evaluation map has kernel the displayed ideal: subtracting the constant value of a polynomial expresses its difference as a combination of $X_i-a_i$. That kernel is maximal and contained in $\mathfrak{m}$, so equality holds. Conversely every evaluation kernel is maximal because its quotient is $k$. Uniqueness follows from the variable images. Every proper ideal is contained in a maximal ideal, so it has a common zero; equivalently, an ideal with no common zero is the whole ring.

For an ideal $I\subseteq k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$, let $V(I)$ be its common-zero set and let $I(V(I))$ be all polynomials vanishing on that set. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz statesThe inclusion $\sqrt{I}\subseteq I(V(I))$ follows because a field has no nonzero nilpotent elements. For the other inclusion, take $f$ vanishing on $V(I)$, with $f\ne 0$, and form the Rabinowitsch trick idealIt has no common zero: at a zero of $I$ the second generator has value one. The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz in $n+1$ variables gives $J=(1)$. Hence a finite identity has the form $1={\sum }_j{h}_j(X,T)g_j(X)+h(X,T)(1-Tf)$, with $g_j\in I$. Substitute $T=f^{-1}$ in the localization of a ring $k[X{]}_f$. Clearing the finitely many powers of $f$ occurring in denominators gives $f^r\in I$ for some $r$, so $f\in \sqrt{I}$. The case $f=0$ is immediate. This completes all three proofs. The algebraically closed hypothesis belongs to the two forms of the Hilbert Nullstellensatz; it was not needed for the Noether normalization lemma or the Zariski lemma.

For a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, write $[A,B]$ for the linear span of brackets with one argument in each indicated subspace. The three definitions areThese are respectively an Abelian Lie algebra, a solvable Lie algebra and a nilpotent Lie algebra. The second and third sequences are the derived series of a Lie algebra and the lower central series of a Lie algebra.

An Abelian Lie algebra has ${\gamma }_2=0$, and a nilpotent Lie algebra is a solvable Lie algebra: induction gives ${\mathfrak{g}}^{(j)}\subseteq {\gamma }_{j+1}$. Thus all the implications are generated byNone of the reverse implications holds. The Heisenberg Lie algebra with basis $x,y,z$ and $[x,y]=z$, all other basic brackets zero, is nonabelian but has ${\gamma }_2=\mathbb{C}z$, ${\gamma }_3=0$. The two-dimensional affine Lie algebra of the line with $[h,e]=e$ has ${\mathfrak{g}}^{(1)}=\mathbb{C}e$ and ${\mathfrak{g}}^{(2)}=0$, but ${\gamma }_j=\mathbb{C}e$ for every $j\ge 2$. It is solvable and neither nilpotent nor abelian. These two examples answer all six ordered-pair comparisons.

The Lie theorem says that a finite-dimensional Lie algebra representation of a finite-dimensional solvable Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero has a common eigenvector whenever its representation space is nonzero. Equivalently it admits an invariant complete flag, or simultaneous upper triangularization. Here the field may be taken to be $\mathbb{C}$; these hypotheses are essential.

To prove the common-eigenvector assertion, induct on $\dim \mathfrak{g}$. The zero algebra is immediate. Since $\mathfrak{g}$ is nonzero and solvable, its derived algebra is proper. Choose a codimension-one Lie algebra ideal $\mathfrak{h}$ containing it, and write $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{h}\oplus \mathbb{C}x$. The Lie algebra $\mathfrak{h}$ is solvable, so induction supplies $v\ne 0$ and a linear functional $\lambda :\mathfrak{h}\to \mathbb{C}$ with $hv=\lambda (h)v$.

Consider the finite-dimensional cyclic subspace $W=\mathrm{span}\{v,xv,x^{2}v,\dots \}$. Until the first linear dependence, these powers form a basis. The identityand $[h,x]\in \mathfrak{h}$ show by induction, simultaneously for all $h\in \mathfrak{h}$, that $W$ is $\mathfrak{h}$-invariant and that $h$ is upper triangular on it with every diagonal entry $\lambda (h)$. It is also $x$-invariant by construction. HenceThe trace of a commutator is zero, and characteristic zero gives $\lambda ([x,h])=0$.

The simultaneous eigenspace $E_{\lambda }=\{w:hw=\lambda (h)w\text{ for every }h\in \mathfrak{h}\}$ is nonzero and $x$-invariant, sinceOver an algebraically closed field, $x{|}_{E_{\lambda }}$ has an eigenvector, which is therefore a common eigenvector for all of $\mathfrak{g}$. This finishes induction. Apply the same assertion to the quotient representation by its invariant line, and then to successive quotients. A basis adapted to the resulting complete flag gives the stated simultaneous triangularization of a Lie algebra representation, completing the proof of the Lie theorem.

A nilpotent Lie algebra is a solvable Lie algebra, so the inclusion $\mathfrak{g}\subseteq \mathfrak{gl}(V)$ satisfies the Lie theorem and is upper triangular in a suitable basis, for finite-dimensional complex $V$.

This is insufficient to prove the Engel theorem. Its matrix version starts with a Lie subalgebra of nilpotent endomorphisms and concludes that they are simultaneously strictly upper triangular; its abstract version concludes nilpotence from nilpotence of every Adjoint representation endomorphism. Merely upper triangular matrices can have nonzero diagonal entries: the one-dimensional algebra $\mathbb{C}{I}_V$ is an Abelian Lie algebra and a nilpotent Lie algebra, but acts by a nonnilpotent identity matrix. This is nilpotent Lie algebras need not act nilpotently. Moreover, in the abstract Engel theorem nilpotence of the algebra is a conclusion, so assuming it first to invoke the Lie theorem would be circular. Abstract nilpotence and nilpotence of each representing matrix are different conditions.

A unipotent algebraic group admits a faithful linear representation in which every group element is a unipotent matrix. For $E={\mathrm{End}}_Q(X)$, invertibility is the nonvanishing condition ${\prod }_i\det h_i\ne 0$. Therefore ${\mathrm{Aut}}_Q(X)=E^{\times }$ is a nonempty Zariski-open subset of the vector space $E$.

Take a Krull-Schmidt decomposition $X\cong {⨁}_{a=1}^r{M}_a^{\oplus m_a}$, with pairwise nonisomorphic indecomposable modules. The Fitting lemma makes each ${\mathrm{End}}_Q(M_a)$ a local endomorphism ring. Its residue division algebra is $k$: over an algebraically closed field, every element of a finite-dimensional division algebra has an eigenvalue and hence must be scalar. The semisimple quotient of a module endomorphism algebra consequently gives, for the Jacobson radical $J=J(E)$,is surjective with kernel $1+J$. The nilpotence of $J$ makes $(1+j{)}^{-1}=1-j+j^2-\cdots$ finite and each $1+j$ unipotent. The kernel is closed and normal. Acting on the multiplicity spaces embeds the product of general linear groups back into $E^{\times }$ and splits this quotient. This proves the Levi decomposition of a quiver automorphism groupSince $1+J$ is the unipotent radical, a nonzero $X$ is indecomposable exactly when ${\mathrm{Aut}}_Q(X)/R_u({\mathrm{Aut}}_Q(X))\cong {\mathbb{G}}_m$: the product has a single factor of size one.

For the base change action on quiver representations, the orbit map is $g\mapsto (g_j{x}_{\rho }{g}_i^{-1}{)}_{\rho :i\to j}$. Substituting $g_i=I+ϵu_i$, with ${ϵ}^2=0$, shows its differential isIts kernel is ${\mathrm{End}}_Q(X)$. The stabilizer is smooth because it is open in that vector space. Hence the differential has rank $\dim \mathrm{GL}(\mathbf{n})-\dim {\mathrm{Aut}}_Q(X)=\dim {\mathcal{O}}_X$, and its image is the Zariski tangent space $T_x{\mathcal{O}}_X$. The normal space to a quiver orbit is thereforeThe ambient quiver representation space is an irreducible affine space, and orbits are locally closed. An orbit is open exactly when its dimension equals that ambient dimension, equivalently when ${\mathrm{Ext}}_Q^1(X,X)=0$. This proves that rigid quiver representations have open orbits. Such an orbit is dense and unique, since two nonempty open subsets of an irreducible space intersect.

A nilpotent endomorphism $x$ satisfies $x^N=0$ for some positive integer $N$. A nilpotent Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$ has a terminating lower central series of a Lie algebra: with ${\gamma }_1=\mathfrak{g}$ and ${\gamma }_{r+1}=[\mathfrak{g},{\gamma }_r]$, one has ${\gamma }_r=0$ for some $r$. These are different conditions: the first concerns a particular linear map, whereas the second concerns repeated Lie brackets.

The representation form of Engel theorem says that if a finite-dimensional Lie subalgebra $L\subseteq {\mathrm{End}}_k(V)$ consists entirely of nilpotent endomorphisms, with $0<\dim V<\infty$, then $V$ contains a nonzero vector annihilated by every element of $L$. Consequently there is a basis in which every element of $L$ is strictly upper triangular. No assumption on the characteristic of a field or algebraic closure is required.

We prove the common-vector assertion by induction on $\dim L$, simultaneously for every nonzero finite-dimensional representation space. The zero algebra is immediate. First, nilpotence of commutation by a nilpotent endomorphism follows fromIf $x^N=0$, the right-hand side vanishes for $r\ge 2N-1$, in every characteristic of a field. For any proper Lie subalgebra $M⊊L$, its Adjoint representation on $L/M$ therefore consists of nilpotent endomorphisms. Its image has dimension at most $\dim M<\dim L$, so the inductive assertion gives a nonzero class $y+M$ annihilated by $M$. Equivalently $y\notin M$ and $[M,y]\subseteq M$. Thus the Engel normalizer lemma gives $M⊊N_L(M)$.

Choose a maximal proper Lie subalgebra $M$. Its normalizer of a Lie subalgebra must be all of $L$, so $M$ is an ideal of a Lie algebra. Moreover $L/M$ has dimension one: otherwise a one-dimensional Lie subalgebra of this quotient would have a proper inverse image strictly between $M$ and $L$. By induction the space $W=\{v\in V:Mv=0\}$ is nonzero. It is invariant under $L$, since $m(xw)=x(mw)+[m,x]w=0$. Write $L=M+kx$. The restriction of the nilpotent endomorphism $x$ to $W$ has a nonzero kernel, and any vector in that kernel is annihilated by all of $L$. This completes the induction. Apply the assertion repeatedly to $V/kv$ to obtain a complete invariant flag $0=V_0\subset V_1\subset \cdots \subset V_d=V$ with $L{V}_j\subseteq V_{j-1}$. A basis adapted to that flag makes every matrix strictly upper triangular.

A nilpotent abstract Lie algebra need not act by nilpotent matrices. For $V\ne 0$, the scalar algebra $kI\subseteq \mathfrak{gl}(V)$ is an abelian Lie algebra, hence a nilpotent Lie algebra, but $I^N=I\ne 0$. No change of basis makes $I$ strictly upper triangular. The failed implication is precisely the distinction described in nilpotent Lie algebras need not act nilpotently.

If $\mathfrak{g}$ is a nilpotent Lie algebra, then $(\mathrm{ad}x{)}^r\mathfrak{g}\subseteq {\gamma }_{r+1}$, so every $\mathrm{ad}x$ is a nilpotent endomorphism. Conversely, apply Engel theorem to $\mathrm{ad}\mathfrak{g}$ acting on $\mathfrak{g}$. Its invariant flag is lowered by every Adjoint representation matrix, so every product of $d=\dim \mathfrak{g}$ such matrices vanishes. Since ${\gamma }_{d+1}$ is spanned by expressions $\mathrm{ad}{x}_1\cdots \mathrm{ad}{x}_d(y)$, the lower central series of a Lie algebra terminates. ThereforeFinally suppose $k$ is an algebraically closed field. If some $\mathrm{ad}x$ is not a nilpotent endomorphism, it has a nonzero eigenvalue $\lambda$ and an eigenvector $y$, giving $[x,y]=\lambda y$. The vectors $x,y$ are linearly independent and span a nonabelian two-dimensional Lie subalgebra. Conversely, a Lie subalgebra of a nilpotent Lie algebra is nilpotent because its lower central series of a Lie algebra lies termwise in the ambient series. A nonabelian two-dimensional Lie algebra has a basis $u,v$ with $[u,v]=v$: choose $v$ spanning the nonzero derived algebra and rescale a complementary vector. Its Adjoint representation has the nonzero eigenvalue $1$, so it is not nilpotent. This proves the two-dimensional subalgebra criterion for Lie algebra nilpotence:

The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz states that if $k$ is an algebraically closed field, every maximal ideal of $k[Y_1,\dots ,Y_s]$ isEquivalently, every proper ideal has a common zero. We prove the more general field statement, the Zariski lemma: a field finitely generated as a $k$-algebra is a finite field extension of $k$.

Write such a field as $L=k[b_1,\dots ,b_s]$. Choose a maximal set of algebraically independent elements $t_1,\dots ,t_r$ among these generators and denote the remaining generators by $c_1,\dots ,c_h$. Each $c_j$ is an algebraic element over $K=k(t_1,\dots ,t_r)$, so $L/K$ is a finite field extension. Clearing the denominators in their monic equations, choose a nonzero $d\in k[t_1,\dots ,t_r]$ such that each $c_j$ is an integral element overBecause $L$ is a field and $d^{-1}\in L$, we have $L=D[c_1,\dots ,c_h]$. Thus $L$ is an integral extension of $D$.

A subring over which a field is integral must itself be a field. Indeed, for $0\ne a\in D$, an integral equation for $a^{-1}$ multiplied by $a^{m-1}$ expresses $a^{-1}$ as an element of $D$. But if $r>0$, the ring $D$ is not a field: choose an irreducible polynomial $q(t_1)\in k[t_1]$ which does not divide $d$. There are infinitely many monic irreducible polynomials in $k[t_1]$, by the usual product-plus-one argument, whereas only finitely many can divide the nonzero $d$. The prime ideal $(q)$ stays proper after inverting $d$, so $q$ has no inverse in $D$. Therefore $r=0$, proving that $L/k$ is a finite field extension, and in particular an algebraic field extension.

Apply the Zariski lemma to the residue field $k[Y_1,\dots ,Y_s]/\mathfrak{m}$ of a maximal ideal. When $k$ is an algebraically closed field, this field is $k$ itself. The images $a_i$ of $Y_i$ then give $\mathfrak{m}=(Y_1-a_1,\dots ,Y_s-a_s)$, proving the Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz.

For the real Laurent polynomial ring, the same argument applies because it is the finitely generated algebraEvery residue field at a maximal ideal is consequently a finite field extension of $\mathbb{R}$, and so is $\mathbb{R}$ or $\mathbb{C}$. Here we use the fundamental theorem of algebra, which makes $\mathbb{C}$ the algebraic closure of $\mathbb{R}$ of degree two. The images of $X_1,X_2$ must be nonzero since these elements are units. It follows that the answer iswith $(\alpha ,\beta )$ and $(\overline{\alpha },\overline{\beta })$ defining the same maximal ideal. If both coordinates are real, evaluation has image $\mathbb{R}$; otherwise its image is $\mathbb{C}$. Thus every displayed kernel is maximal, and the Zariski lemma shows that this list is exhaustive.

For explicit generating sets of an ideal, there are three cases. For real nonzero $a,b$,If $\alpha =a\in {\mathbb{R}}^{\times }$ and $\beta =s+it$ with $t\ne 0$,If $\alpha =u+iv$ with $v\ne 0$ and $\beta =s+it$, thenThe last two quotients are $\mathbb{C}$; the nonzero coordinate condition ensures that the Laurent inverses exist in them. There are no further coincidences in the classification: equal kernels induce an $\mathbb{R}$-isomorphism between the evaluation image fields. The only $\mathbb{R}$-automorphisms of $\mathbb{C}$ are the identity and complex conjugation, so the two pairs must agree or be conjugate.

To prove the intersection assertion, fix a prime ideal $P$ and an element $f\notin P$. The integral domain $B=R/P$ has nonzero image $\bar{f}$. Its localization of a ring $B[{\bar{f}}^{-1}]$ is nonzero and still a finitely generated algebra over $\mathbb{R}$, so it has a maximal ideal $\mathfrak{n}$. By the Zariski lemma, the field $L=B[{\bar{f}}^{-1}]/\mathfrak{n}$ is finite over $\mathbb{R}$.

The image of $B$ in $L$ is a subring containing $\mathbb{R}$ and is a finite-dimensional $\mathbb{R}$-vector space. It is an integral domain, hence a field: multiplication by any nonzero element is an injective linear map of a finite-dimensional vector space and therefore surjective. The kernel of $B\to L$ is thus a maximal ideal which avoids $\bar{f}$, since $\bar{f}$ is invertible in $L$. Its inverse image in $R$ is a maximal ideal containing $P$ but avoiding $f$. As this works for every $f\notin P$,This is the Jacobson ring property for this Laurent polynomial ring.

For a nonzero finitely generated module $M$, its set of associated primes isHere ${\mathrm{Ann}}_R(m)=\{a\in R:am=0\}$ is the annihilator of the element. The Laurent polynomial ring $R$ is a Noetherian ring, so the nonempty collection of annihilators of nonzero elements of $M$ has a maximal member, say $P={\mathrm{Ann}}_R(m)$. It is proper because $m\ne 0$.

If $ab\in P$ and $b\notin P$, then $bm\ne 0$ andMaximality forces ${\mathrm{Ann}}_R(bm)=P$, hence $a\in P$. Thus $P$ is a prime ideal, proving $\boxed{{\mathrm{Ass}}_R(M)\ne \varnothing }$. This argument in fact only needs that $R$ is Noetherian, not the finite generation of $M$.

A proper ideal $Q$ is $P$-primary when its radical of an ideal is $P$ andEquivalently, $ab\in Q$ and $b\notin P$ imply $a\in Q$; equivalently, every zero divisor of $R/Q$ is nilpotent. These formulations distinguish the actual primary ideal property from the weaker assertion that there is only one minimal prime ideal.

For the final example, set $u=X_1-1$ and $v=X_2-1$. ThenSince $R/P\cong \mathbb{R}[X_2,X_2^{-1}]$ is an integral domain, $P$ is a prime ideal. Moreover $I\subseteq P$ and $u^2\in I$, so $\sqrt{I}=P$. Consequently $P$ is the unique minimal prime ideal over $I$.

Nevertheless $uv\in I$, while $u\notin I$ and no power of $v$ belongs to $I$. For the first assertion, reduce modulo $v$: the image of $I$ is $(u^2)$ in $\mathbb{R}[X_1,X_1^{-1}]$, and $u$ is not a multiple of $u^2$ because $u$ is a nonunit in this integral domain. For the second, $v\notin P$, so $v^j\notin P\supseteq I$ for every $j\ge 1$. Thus $I$ is not a $P$-primary ideal: a unique minimal prime does not imply primary. In $R/I$, the nonzero class of $u$ is killed by $v$, a zero divisor which is not nilpotent.

Over the complex numbers, every finite-dimensional representation of a solvable Lie algebra has a basis in which every representing matrix is upper triangular. The Lie theorem is often stated first as the existence of a common eigenvector in every nonzero finite-dimensional Lie algebra representation of a solvable Lie algebra. Applying that assertion successively to quotient representations gives an invariant complete flag, and hence the upper triangular form. The same proof works over any algebraically closed field of characteristic zero.

We prove the common eigenvector assertion by induction on $\dim \mathfrak{g}$, writing the action as $av$. The zero Lie algebra is immediate. If $\mathfrak{g}\ne 0$ is solvable, its derived series of a Lie algebra shows that $[\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{g}]\ne \mathfrak{g}$. Choose a codimension-one ideal of a Lie algebra $\mathfrak{a}$ containing $[\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{g}]$, and choose $x\notin \mathfrak{a}$. By induction there are $v\ne 0$ and a linear functional $\lambda :\mathfrak{a}\to \mathbb{C}$ such that $av=\lambda (a)v$ for all $a\in \mathfrak{a}$.

Let $W$ be the span of $v,xv,x^{2}v,\dots$. If $m=\dim W$, the first $m$ of these vectors form a basis, and $W$ is $x$-invariant. We claim that for each $a\in \mathfrak{a}$,For $j=0$ this is the definition of $v$. For the induction step, use $ax=xa+[a,x]$ and $[a,x]\in \mathfrak{a}$. Applying the induction hypothesis to both $a$ and $[a,x]$ proves the claim. Consequently $W$ is $\mathfrak{a}$-invariant, and every $a\in \mathfrak{a}$ acts on $W$ by an upper triangular matrix with all diagonal entries $\lambda (a)$.

Since both $x$ and $a$ preserve $W$, the matrix trace of their commutator on $W$ is zero. The claim applied to $[x,a]\in \mathfrak{a}$ givesHere characteristic zero is essential: $m\ne 0$ in the field, so $\lambda ([x,a])=0$. Now the common weight spaceis nonzero and $x$-invariant. Indeed, for $w\in E_{\lambda }$,An endomorphism of a nonzero finite-dimensional complex vector space has an eigenvector, so choose an eigenvector of $x$ in $E_{\lambda }$. It is a common eigenvector for $\mathfrak{g}=\mathfrak{a}+\mathbb{C}x$. This proves the Lie theorem.

For the printed matrices in characteristic $p$, $[x,y]=x$, and there is no common eigenvector. Index the standard basis by $e_0,\dots ,e_{p-1}$. The cyclic entry in the PDF givesThe $p$ diagonal eigenvalues of $y$ are distinct in $k$. Thus every eigenvector of $y$ is a scalar multiple of a single $e_j$. Since $p\ge 2$, $x{e}_j$ is never a scalar multiple of $e_j$, proving the assertion even when $k$ is not an algebraically closed field.

For $1\le j\le p-1$,At the cyclic boundary,Hence $[x,y]=x$. The two-dimensional Lie subalgebra $kx+ky$ has derived algebra $kx$, whose own derived algebra is zero, so it is solvable. It nevertheless has no common eigenvector, including after extending $k$ to its algebraic closure. This is a failure of Lie theorem in positive characteristic. In the proof above, the obstruction is precisely that $\dim W=p$ can vanish as a scalar in $k$.

The derived algebra of a complex solvable Lie algebra is nilpotent. First suppose $\mathfrak{g}\subseteq \mathfrak{gl}(V)$. By the Lie theorem, put every element of $\mathfrak{g}$ in upper triangular form. The diagonal of a commutator of upper triangular matrices is zero, so $\mathfrak{d}=[\mathfrak{g},\mathfrak{g}]$ consists of strictly upper triangular matrices. The Lie algebra of all such matrices is a nilpotent Lie algebra: if $F_r$ consists of matrices whose entries vanish whenever $j-i<r$, thenTherefore the lower central series of a Lie algebra of $\mathfrak{d}$ reaches zero. Alternatively, every element of $\mathfrak{d}$ is a nilpotent linear map, and the Engel theorem states that a finite-dimensional Lie subalgebra consisting of nilpotent linear maps is a nilpotent Lie algebra.

For an abstract complex solvable Lie algebra $\mathfrak{g}$, apply the preceding result to its Adjoint representation. The Lie algebra $\mathrm{ad}\mathfrak{d}=[\mathrm{ad}\mathfrak{g},\mathrm{ad}\mathfrak{g}]$ is nilpotent. Since $\ker (\mathrm{ad}{|}_{\mathfrak{d}})=\mathfrak{d}\cap Z(\mathfrak{g})$ is central in $\mathfrak{d}$, some term of the lower central series of a Lie algebra of $\mathfrak{d}$ lies in that central ideal; the next term is zero. Thus $\mathfrak{d}$ itself is nilpotent.

Conversely, every nilpotent Lie algebra is solvable, since its derived series of a Lie algebra is contained term by term in its lower central series of a Lie algebra. If $\mathfrak{d}$ is nilpotent, it is therefore solvable, and $\mathfrak{g}/\mathfrak{d}$ is Abelian. More directly, the derived series of a Lie algebra of $\mathfrak{g}$, after its first term, is the derived series of a Lie algebra of $\mathfrak{d}$. Consequently the derived algebra nilpotence criterion is

Schur's lemma says that a nonzero intertwiner between irreducible representations is an isomorphism; over $\mathbb{C}$, every endomorphism of a finite-dimensional irreducible representation is scalar. To prove the Schur lemma, let $T:V\to W$ be a intertwining operator between irreducible representations. Its kernel and image of a linear map are invariant. If $T\ne 0$, irreducibility forces $\ker T=0$ and $\mathrm{im}T=W$. This proves the first assertion over any field. In particular the endomorphisms of an irreducible representation form a division ring.

When $V$ is finite-dimensional over an algebraically closed field, an endomorphism $T$ has an eigenvalue $\lambda$. The endomorphism $T-\lambda I$ has nonzero kernel. By the first assertion it must be zero, so $T=\lambda I$. Consequently, for complex finite-dimensional irreducible representations, the space of intertwining operators has dimension zero for nonisomorphic representations and dimension one for isomorphic representations.

Every finite-dimensional representation of a complex semisimple Lie algebra is completely reducible. We prove the Weyl complete reducibility theorem using the allowed Casimir operator facts, without assuming a splitting in advance. For dual bases $x_i,x^i$ with respect to the Killing form, the Casimir elementis central in the universal enveloping algebra. Hence its Casimir operator $C_M={\sum }_i{\rho }_M(x_i){\rho }_M(x^i)$ commutes with the action on every Lie algebra representation $M$ and is compatible with subrepresentations, quotient representations, and intertwining operators. On the trivial Lie algebra representation it acts by zero. On every nontrivial finite-dimensional Irreducible Lie algebra representation it acts by a nonzero scalar.

For clarity, the last fact can be expressed by the Casimir eigenvalue formula: on an irreducible with dominant integral weight $\lambda$, the scalar is $(\lambda ,\lambda +2\rho )$, with the inner product induced by the Killing form and $\rho$ the half-sum of positive roots. On the real span of the weights this inner product is positive definite, and the scalar is positive for $\lambda \ne 0$. For a semisimple Lie algebra with several simple factors the scalars add, so a nontrivial representation still gives a nonzero scalar. These are properties of the Casimir operator being used here.

First establish Casimir splitting of a trivial quotient. Supposeis a short exact sequence of finite-dimensional Lie algebra representations, with trivial quotient. The generalized eigenspaces of $C_E$ are invariant, soEach $E_c$ with $c\ne 0$ maps to zero under $q$: applying a sufficiently large power of $C_E-cI$ and using $C_{\mathbb{C}}=0$ gives $(-c{)}^{r}q(e)=0$. Thus $q(E_0)=\mathbb{C}$.