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For the preliminary definitions, a block is $Re$ for a primitive central idempotent $e$, and a module belongs to it when $eM=M$. For a semisimple algebra, the Artin–Wedderburn theorem identifies its blocks with the factors $M_{n_i}(D_i)$ in its product decomposition. Each factor is a block of a finite-dimensional algebra.

We prove Ext separation of finite-length modules. The extension hypothesis is ${\mathrm{Ext}}^1(S,T)={\mathrm{Ext}}^1(T,S)=0$ for simples in opposite sets. First, for a simple $S\in {\mathcal{C}}_1$ and a module $N$ of finite composition length with factors in ${\mathcal{C}}_2$, we have ${\mathrm{Ext}}^1(S,N)=0$. Induct on the length of $N$: for $0\to N^{\prime }\to N\to T\to 0$ with $T$ simple, the long exact sequence of the Ext functor containswhose outer groups are zero. The same argument works with the two sets interchanged.

Now induct on the length of $M$, with $M=0$ immediate. Take a simple quotient in $0\to N\to M\to S\to 0$. By induction, $N=N_1\oplus N_2$ with factors in the respective sets. Suppose $S\in {\mathcal{C}}_1$; the other case is symmetric. Quotienting by $N_1$ givesThis splits by the preceding Ext vanishing. Let $U_1$ be the inverse image in $M$ of the chosen complementary copy of $S$. Then $U_1\cap N_2=0$, $U_1+N_2=M$, and $0\to N_1\to U_1\to S\to 0$. Thus $U_1$ has only factors in ${\mathcal{C}}_1$, while $U_2=N_2$ has only factors in ${\mathcal{C}}_2$.

If two finite-length modules have factors in disjoint sets, any homomorphism between them is zero: a nonzero image would, by the Jordan–Hölder theorem, have a simple factor belonging to both sets. For any submodule $V$ of $M$ with factors in ${\mathcal{C}}_1$, projection onto $U_2$ is consequently zero, so $V\subset U_1$. The analogous argument applies to $U_2$. HenceIn particular both summands are preserved by every endomorphism of $M$.

Pushing an inclusion $i:A\to B$ along $f:A\to A\prime$ gives a new module extension with kernel $A\prime$ and the same quotient. This pushout realizes the covariance of the degree-one Ext functor in its second argument.

A finitely generated module over a Noetherian ring admits a possibly infinite free resolution whose every term is finitely generated. Surject a finite free module onto it; the kernel is finitely generated because a finite free module is Noetherian. Repeat this construction on the successive kernels. If the original module has finite projective dimension $n$, its $n$th syzygy is projective by dimension shifting of the Ext functor, giving a length-$n$ resolution with finite projective terms.

Let $M$ be a nonzero finitely generated module over a commutative Noetherian ring. Take a length-$n$ resolution with finite projective terms. If its top Ext functor with coefficients in $A$ vanished, the dual of its last injection would be surjective. The dual of a finite projective module is projective, so that surjection splits. Finite projective modules are isomorphic to their double duals, so dualizing gives a splitting of the original injection. The resolution then shortens, contradicting minimality of $n$. When $n=0$, a nonzero coordinate of a finite free module containing $M$ as a summand gives a nonzero map $M\to A$.

For a nonzero left finitely generated module over a left Noetherian ring, take a finite projective resolution with finite projective modules. Vanishing of its top Ext functor would make the dual of its final injection surjective. These duals are right finite projective modules, so the surjection splits. Dualizing back and using finite projective double dual modules splits the original injection and shortens the resolution, contradicting the definition of projective dimension. When the dimension is zero, a coordinate map of a finite free module containing the nonzero projective summand supplies a nonzero map to $R$. The left/right distinction in the duals is essential for a noncommutative ring.

Put $A=k[[t]]$ and $K=A[1/t]$. A free resolution has countably many generators $e_i$ and relations $e_i-t{e}_{i+1}$. Applying the Hom functor with coefficients in $A$ gives $(b_i)\mapsto (b_i-t{b}_{i+1})$ on sequence products. This is surjective: for prescribed $(c_i)$ use $b_i={\sum }_{j\ge 0}{t}^j{c}_{i+j}$, a well-defined formal power series. Therefore the degree-one Ext functor vanishes. But ${\mathrm{Hom}}_A(K,A)=0$, since every image is infinitely divisible by $t$. A nonzero projective module has a nonzero coordinate map into $A$, so $K$ is not projective. Its displayed resolution proves that its projective dimension is exactly one. The finite-generation hypothesis in top Ext detects finite projective dimension is essential.