Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2016 iii Paper 113 5 ii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-06
Its dual of a sheaf is zero. Away from its source is zero. At , a homomorphism must send one to an element annihilated by the maximal ideal. Since , that ideal contains a nonzero coordinate parameter; the local ring is an integral domain, so the image must vanish. This proves that every local homomorphism vanishes. ConsequentlyThere is no contradiction with Serre duality: the ordinary sheaf dual suffices for locally free sheaves, but general coherent sheaves require an Ext functor. This example illustrates failure of ordinary sheaf-dual Serre duality for a skyscraper sheaf.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ib Paper 2 2E a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
A unique factorization domain is an integral domain in which every nonzero nonunit is a finite product of irreducible elements, uniquely up to reordering and multiplication of factors by a unit in a ring. A principal ideal domain is an integral domain in which every ideal is generated by one element.
Gauss lemma for polynomials says that over a unique factorization domain , the product of two primitive polynomials is primitive, and the polynomial content satisfies up to a unit. In particular a primitive polynomial of positive degree is irreducible over exactly when it is irreducible over the fraction field of . Consequently a polynomial ring over a unique factorization domain is itself a unique factorization domain.
The Eisenstein criterion says that if has and there is a prime element with , for every , and , then is irreducible over the fraction field. If is primitive, it is also irreducible in . Over one may take to be an ordinary prime number. The primitivity qualification prevents a nonunit constant content from being overlooked.
The defining distinction is unique irreducible factorization versus generation of every ideal by one element.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ib Paper 3 11E a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
A Euclidean domain is an integral domain with a function such that for each and there are with and either or . Some conventions add a multiplicative monotonicity condition; it is unnecessary for this implication.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ib Paper 3 11E c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Write the Gaussian integer , with , and set . Complex conjugation preserves , because . Choose a nonzero . Then is a positive integer in . It cannot be one because is a proper prime ideal. Factoring into rational primes and applying primality repeatedly gives a prime .
The element satisfies the monic polynomial . Evaluation induces a ring homomorphism that is a surjectionThe source has elements by part (b), soIf , use instead and get at most elements. Moreover is an integral domain, so its finiteness makes it a field. This proves the finite residue-field theorem for Gaussian integer orders without incorrectly assuming that every Gaussian integer order is a principal ideal domain.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 ib Paper 4 11E b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Induct on to prove the stronger assertion that any submodule is a free module of rank of a free module at most . For this is immediate. Project onto the first coordinate by . Its image is an ideal of the principal ideal domain, so .
If , then embeds in the remaining coordinates and the induction hypothesis applies. Otherwise choose with . Put , a submodule of , which is free by induction. For every , there is with , so . If , then ; the integral domain property and give . ThereforeAppending to a basis of proves that is a free module of rank of a free module at most . This proof of the submodule theorem for free modules over a principal ideal domain does not assume in advance that is a finitely generated module.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 113 1 iii Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The rings are nonzero integral domains. Let be the generic point of , corresponding to . Surjectivity provides a prime ideal with . Since , the ring homomorphism is injective.
Put and . The scheme-theoretic fibre at isEvery element of is nonzero, so the localization is a nonzero integral domain. Its zero ideal is prime, ensuring that its spectrum is nonempty; an affine spectrum of an integral domain is an integral scheme. This proves the integrality of the generic fibre of an affine dominant morphism. In fact the proof only needs injectivity of , rather than surjectivity at every point.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 113 5 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Put and . The hypothesis says multiplication by on the graded ring is injective for . Checking homogeneous elements suffices: an arbitrary annihilated element splits into homogeneous components, each annihilated separately because and are homogeneous. Also because it has degree , and is an integral domain. Thus is a regular sequence, and the suggested short exact sequences becomeSheafification and twisting preserve exactness. With , the resulting sequences, interpreted on the ambient projective space via the closed inclusions, areCohomology under a closed immersion identifies the displayed sheaf cohomology with that on . For every integer , cohomology of twisting sheaves on projective space gives for . Inducting through the long exact sequence in sheaf cohomology givesIndeed the two adjacent groups have degrees and on , both in its vanishing range. This is intermediate cohomology vanishing for a projective complete intersection.
We simultaneously prove for and . Both hold on by the same projective-space formula. For , the preceding stage has . If , both degree-zero groups on that stage vanish, so the new one vanishes. If , the left degree-zero group vanishes because , while the middle group is . Therefore the natural restriction of constant functions is an isomorphism at every stage:These are isomorphisms of -algebras, not just vector spaces. The global regular functions on a positive-dimensional projective complete intersection are constants even if the complete intersection is singular or nonreduced; smoothness and reducedness were not assumed.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 128 6 Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
A derivation of an algebra is a -linear map satisfying . The commutator is again a derivation: expanding cancels the two mixed terms and leaves . The commutator on endomorphisms is bilinear, antisymmetric, and satisfies the Jacobi identity by cancellation of its twelve triple-composition terms. Therefore is a Lie algebra.
In degree zero of the Hochschild cochain complex, , so for commutative . In degree one, is precisely the derivation rule; the boundaries are inner derivations, which vanish for commutative . HenceFor cochains , , the Hochschild cup product isDefine the insertion operation byA degree-zero cochain is an element of , inserted with no arguments; for the sum is empty. For the Gerstenhaber bracket we use the left graded Leibniz rule convention, compatible with the unsigned Hochschild cup product just displayed:Both degree-zero inputs have bracket zero. Another common insertion convention writes ; the two brackets differ by . With an unsigned Hochschild cup product, that convention uses the corresponding right graded Leibniz rule. The distinction matters for a degree-two cochain bracketed with a function. Either consistent convention gives the same degree-one Lie bracket and the same derivation action on functions.
If , this convention gives . The shifted Jacobi identity and therefore show that the Gerstenhaber bracket respects Hochschild cocycles and the images of the coboundary map. The Hochschild cup product and Gerstenhaber bracket induce operations on Hochschild cohomology. A Gerstenhaber algebra is a graded algebra with an associative degree-zero product with the graded commutative algebra rule , and a degree-minus-one graded Lie bracket making the shifted degrees into a graded Lie algebra. In particular,for homogeneous elements of a graded algebra of degrees . The shifted Jacobi identity isThe Hochschild cup product does not make the cochains a graded commutative algebra in general, but does make their cohomology a graded commutative algebra; the insertion operation supplies the homotopy for this assertion and for the graded Leibniz rule. Thus these axioms describe the induced Gerstenhaber algebra, not a claim of a graded commutative algebra structure on the cochain multiplication itself.
For , the enveloping algebra is , andis a projective resolution. The first map is injective since is an integral domain, and its cokernel is . Applying gives a zero coboundary map. ConsequentlyThe Hochschild cup product is ordinary multiplication of functions and scalar multiplication of derivations, with the product of two derivations zero because . Every derivation is , since it is determined by its value on . The Gerstenhaber bracket iswith all other orders fixed by graded antisymmetry. These formulas fully determine the Gerstenhaber algebra.
For , the Hochschild-Kostant-Rosenberg theorem identifiesThus the degrees zero, one, and two are , , and , and all higher groups vanish. The Hochschild-Kostant-Rosenberg map sends a wedge of derivations to the cochainThe factorial is invertible in characteristic zero. Equivalently, the groups follow from the Koszul resolution on the regular sequence in , whose dual coboundary maps vanish on .
The Hochschild cup product becomes the exterior product, and our Gerstenhaber bracket becomes the left Schouten-Nijenhuis bracket. It is determined by the commutator of derivations, , zero brackets of functions, and the displayed graded antisymmetry and left graded Leibniz rule. For explicit signs, put and . ThenThe last bracket has degree three, whose exterior power is zero. For two derivations, the coefficient functions of their commutator give the remaining formula. This specifies the entire Gerstenhaber algebra; under the alternate insertion convention mentioned above, the first displayed bracket changes sign, together with the Leibniz convention. No smoothness of a general finitely generated commutative algebra was assumed: the Hochschild-Kostant-Rosenberg theorem is invoked here only for the smooth polynomial ring .
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 ib Paper 2 11G b iii Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Suppose were a product of irreducible elements of . Since degree of a polynomial is additive under products, exactly one factor has positive degree and all the others are constant. By the preceding classification, the positive-degree factor has constant term , while every constant irreducible is for a prime . Their product therefore has a nonzero constant term, contradicting .
Thus is not a product of irreducibles, so this integral domain is not an atomic domain and in particular is not a unique factorization domain.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 ib Paper 2 2G a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Let . Since a principal ideal domain is an integral domain and , is a multiplicative subset avoiding zero. The stated equivalence relation and operations are precisely those of the localization of a ring .
For completeness, reflexivity and symmetry are immediate, while transitivity follows by multiplying the two cross-multiplication identities and cancelling a nonzero power of . If and , cross multiplication shows that the proposed sums and products are equivalent. Thus the operations do not depend on representatives. The usual fraction calculations then prove associativity, commutativity and distributivity, with identities and . Therefore is a well-defined commutative ring.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 ib Paper 2 2G b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-03
Let be an ideal of and contract it toThis is an ideal of , so because is a principal ideal domain. Every is a unit in a ring . Consequently, if , then , so and . Conversely , hence every multiple of it belongs to . Thusso every ideal of is principal. The localization remains an integral domain; hence is a principal ideal domain.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 101 1 d Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Here the coefficient fields are and . A polynomial ring in one variable over a field is a Euclidean domain, hence a principal ideal domain; its nonzero prime ideals are generated by irreducible polynomials. The fundamental theorem of algebra says that all irreducible polynomials over are linear. Combining it with complex conjugation shows that the monic irreducible polynomials over are exactly the linear polynomials and quadratics with no real root. ThusEvery nonzero prime ideal in this list is a maximal ideal; is a prime ideal because is an integral domain. Likewise,The map is contraction of an ideal along the inclusion. It sends to . For , the contraction of consists of the real polynomials vanishing at . If , the factor theorem gives the ideal . If , a real polynomial vanishing at also vanishes at its complex conjugate , so it is divisible by . Division by this real quadratic gives the converse and henceThus each real linear prime ideal has one preimage, each real quadratic prime ideal has the two conjugate preimages and , and has only above it. In particular, is surjective.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 101 2 b Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
The equivalence relation defining the localization at a prime ideal givesThereforeEquivalently, all zero divisors of must lie in . To prove necessity, if and with , then in , contradicting the hypothesis that the map is injective. Conversely, if every denominator annihilates no nonzero element, the displayed kernel of a ring homomorphism is zero, so the map is injective.
An integral domain automatically satisfies this criterion at every prime ideal, but the criterion itself does not require to be an integral domain.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 101 4 e Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
No. Take over a field , and inside takeThis is a subring containing : its elements have arbitrary constant coefficient in as polynomials in , and every positive-degree coefficient is divisible by ; that condition is preserved by sums and products. The ring is Noetherian. Indeed, a nonzero ideal of has an element of least degree, and division by shows that every element of the ideal is a multiple of . Thus is a principal ideal domain, and its ideals are finitely generated.
In , let . These form an ascending chain. We show that . If it belonged, we could writeCancel in the integral domain , then apply the evaluation homomorphism . Every becomes a scalar in , so this would givewhich is impossible by comparison of degrees. Hence for every , andThis is a constant-plus-ideal non-Noetherian subring construction: the restricted coefficients prevent a finite list of positive powers of from generating all the required powers.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 101 5 a Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
A Dedekind domain is a Noetherian ring which is an integral domain, is an integrally closed domain, and has Krull dimension one. Explicitly, every ideal is finitely generated; every element of the fraction field that is an integral element over already belongs to ; and every nonzero prime ideal is a maximal ideal, with itself not a field.
With this convention, an equivalent local characterization is that is a Noetherian integral domain that is not a field and whose localization at a prime ideal is a discrete valuation ring for every nonzero prime ideal . The integrally closed domain condition rules out singularities such as those represented by the subring , where is integral but missing.
Some conventions also include fields by allowing Krull dimension at most one; the conclusions about ideals below remain valid under that convention.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2018 iii Paper 101 5 d Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
TakeWe justify that this is a Dedekind domain. It is an integral domain inside the number field . As an additive group it is free of rank two over . The subgroup theorem for finitely generated abelian groups says that every subgroup of such a group is finitely generated. Thus every ideal has finitely many additive generators, and those same elements generate it as a -ideal. This proves that is Noetherian.
We use the standard formula for the ring of integers of a quadratic field: for squarefree , it is if , and otherwise. Since , is the ring of integers of a number field , meaning all elements of integral over . We also use transitivity of integral extensions. If an element of is integral over , it is integral over because is integral over , and therefore belongs to . Thus is an integrally closed domain.
Every nonzero prime ideal is maximal. Indeed, choose . Multiplying by its algebraic conjugate puts the nonzero integer in . Hence the integral domain is a quotient of the finite ring , and is finite. Every finite integral domain is a field, since multiplication by a nonzero element is injective and therefore surjective. The element has no inverse in , since , so is not a field. Consequently is not maximal, and a maximal ideal above it is nonzero. Together with the preceding result, this gives Krull dimension exactly one.
Finally, consider the idealReduction modulo with identifies with , so the additive index is . If were the principal ideal , multiplication by its nonzero generator would have integer matrixin the basis . The index of its image is the absolute determinant, soThere are no integer solutions: makes the right side at least , while would require . Thus is a nonprincipal ideal in the integers adjoined a square root of minus five, and is a Dedekind domain that is not a principal ideal domain.