Complete linear system of a divisor Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
For a Cartier divisor on an integral projective variety, the complete linear system consists of its effective representatives under linear equivalence of Cartier divisors. A basis of defines a rational map to projective space.
Numerical equivalence of divisors 2026-10-05
Two Cartier divisors are numerically equivalent when they have equal intersection numbers with every integral complete curve. A numerically trivial divisor has zero intersection with every such curve. Unlike linear equivalence of Cartier divisors, numerical equivalence does not require the same line bundle.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2017 iii Paper 113 3 i Solution Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-05
Let be the function field of the integral scheme and choose a nonzero rational section of a line bundle . Choose an open trivializing cover with generators for the invertible sheaf . On each nonempty , write with . If on an overlap, then , so is a regular unit. Consequently the local rational functions define a Cartier divisor .
The divisor line bundle restricts to . Define its local isomorphism from by . On an overlap,so the maps glue. HenceThe rational section maps to the rational function , which also fixes the sign convention for . Choosing a different nonzero rational section changes by a principal Cartier divisor, so its linear equivalence of Cartier divisors class is unchanged. No projectivity or Noetherian hypothesis is required.