Past exam of the commutative algebra course of the University of Oxford 2023 3 b Solution 2026-10-25
Write . Every element of the extension of an ideal is a fraction with and : a finite sum of such fractions has a common denominator and numerator still in the ideal . If , then , soConversely, let be a nilpotent element of the localization at a prime ideal . For some , . The vanishing criterion in a module localization supplies with . It follows thatso . Since ,This proves that the nilradical commutes with localization:The multiplication by is necessary: the numerator of a nilpotent element in a localization need not itself be nilpotent in .
Reduced locus of a ring 2026-10-25
The subset of the spectrum of a ring where the localization at a prime ideal is reduced. Since the nilradical commutes with localization, its complement is the support of a module . When is a finitely generated module, vanishing of a finitely generated module near a prime givesso the locus is a Zariski-open subset. In particular this holds for every Noetherian ring.