Past exam of the algebraic number theory course of the University of Oxford / 2023 / 2

Write $R={\mathcal{O}}_K$. We prove unique factorization of ideals in a number field, rather than assuming this conclusion as a property of a Dedekind domain. Three preliminary facts about $R$ will be useful. Its additive group is a finite-rank free abelian group, so every ideal is finitely generated and the ascending chain condition holds. It is an integrally closed domain, by integral dependence is transitive. Finally, every nonzero prime ideal is a maximal ideal. For this last fact, choose $0\ne a\in P$. Multiplication by $a$ is an injective endomorphism of the finite-rank free abelian group $R$ with nonzero determinant, so $R/(a)$ is finite. Consequently $R/P$ is a finite integral domain and hence a field.

First, every nonzero proper ideal contains a product of nonzero prime ideals. Otherwise choose a maximal counterexample $J$ under inclusion, using the ascending chain condition. It cannot be a prime ideal. Choose $x,y\notin J$ with $xy\in J$. The strictly larger ideals $J+(x)$ and $J+(y)$ each contain a product of nonzero prime ideals, allowing the empty product $R$ when necessary. Multiplying those products gives a product contained ina contradiction.

Next fix a nonzero prime ideal $P$, choose $0\ne a\in P$, and choose a product of nonzero prime idealswith $r$ minimal. Because $(a)\subseteq P$, primality and maximality imply $P_j=P$ for some $j$; reorder so that $P_1=P$. Minimality provides $b\in P_2\cdots P_r$ with $b\notin (a)$, taking the remaining product to be $R$ if $r=1$. ThusDefine the fractional idealIt contains $R$ and $x$. The ideal $P{P}^{-1}$ lies between $P$ and $R$, so it is $P$ or $R$. If it were $P$, then $xP\subseteq P$. Applying the determinant trick to a finite generating set of an ideal for $P$ gives a monic polynomial over $R$ satisfied by $x$. Since $R$ is an integrally closed domain, this would put $x$ in $R$, a contradiction. ThereforeThis proves that each nonzero prime ideal is an invertible fractional ideal, independently of the desired factorization theorem.

Now take a nonzero proper ideal $A$ and a maximal ideal $P$ containing it. The ideal $B=P^{-1}A$ satisfiesThe first inclusion is strict: if $A=B$, the same $x\in P^{-1}\setminus R$ would stabilize $A$, and the determinant trick would again force $x\in R$. Repeating gives a strictly ascending chain until it reaches $R$; the ascending chain condition ensures this happens after finitely many steps. The identities $A=PB$ then express $A$ as a product of nonzero prime ideals.

For uniqueness, suppose $P_1\cdots P_r=Q_1\cdots Q_s$. Since the right-hand side is contained in $P_1$, some $Q_j$ is contained in $P_1$. Both are nonzero maximal ideals, so $Q_j=P_1$. Multiplication by $P_1^{-1}$ cancels this factor. Repeat. A nonempty product of proper prime ideals cannot equal $R$, so both products finish together. This proves uniqueness up to reordering, including repeated factors.

By the correspondence theorem for ideals, an ideal of $R/P^n$ has the form $J/P^n$ with $P^n\subseteq J\subseteq R$. If $J\ne R$, apply unique factorization of ideals in a number field to $J$. Every prime ideal $Q$ dividing $J$ contains $J$ and hence $P^n$. Primality gives $P\subseteq Q$, and maximality gives $Q=P$. Thus $J=P^i$ for some $i\ge 1$.

The inclusion $P^n\subseteq P^i$ forces $i\le n$: if $i>n$, cancellation using the invertible fractional ideal $P^n$ would give $R\subseteq P^{i-n}$, which is impossible. The zero ideal corresponds to $i=n$, while the unit ideal corresponds to $i=0$. Consequently the nonzero proper ideals are exactlyWhen $n=1$, there are none, in agreement with $R/P$ being a field.

For every $i\ge 0$, the inclusion $P^{i+1}\subseteq P^i$ is strict: equality, followed by multiplication by the inverse of $P^i$, would give $P=R$. Hence one can choosePut $J=(\pi )+P^{i+1}$. ThenThe classification just proved, applied modulo $P^{i+1}$, leaves no ideal strictly between consecutive powers. It follows thatFor $i=0$, the same argument says $(\pi )+P=R$, using $\pi \notin P$ and maximality.

The extension to every $r\ge 1$ follows by mathematical induction. Suppose $P^i=(\pi )+P^{i+r}$. Multiplication of the initial equality by $P^r$ givesSubstitution yieldsThusTaking $r=n-i$ for $0\le i<n$ givesThis is a principal ideal of the quotient ring $R/P^n$. Its zero ideal is generated by zero, so every ideal of this quotient ring is a principal ideal.

The printed domain assertion is false. For example, take $K=\mathbb{Q}$ and $I=(4)$. Then ${\mathcal{O}}_K/I=\mathbb{Z}/4\mathbb{Z}$ has the nonzero zero divisor $2+(4)$, so it is not an integral domain and cannot be a principal ideal domain. The valid conclusion is that ${\mathcal{O}}_K/I$ is a principal ideal ring. This error is present in the original PDF, not just its transcription.

To prove the corrected conclusion, factorinto powers of distinct nonzero prime ideals. These powers are pairwise comaximal ideals. Indeed, a maximal ideal containing two such powers would contain both underlying prime ideals, forcing them to be equal. The Chinese remainder theorem givesEvery factor is a principal ideal ring by the preceding part. Every ideal $H$ in a finite direct product of rings is a product $H_1\times \cdots \times H_s$ of ideals in the factors: multiplication by the coordinate idempotent elements separates the coordinates of every element of $H$. Write $H_j=(h_j)$. Thenso $R/I$ is a principal ideal ring. This proves the principal ideal property of quotients of a Dedekind domain in the present setting. In fact, this finite quotient ring is an integral domain precisely when $I$ is a prime ideal, in which case it is a field.

For the final deduction, choose any $0\ne a\in I$ and apply the result to the nonzero proper ideal $(a)$. The ideal $I/(a)$ of $R/(a)$ is generated by one residue class $b+(a)$, which can be represented by $b\in I$. For each $x\in I$, some $r\in R$ satisfies $x-rb\in (a)$. HenceThis proves two generators for an ideal in a Dedekind domain; moreover, its first generator can be any prescribed nonzero element of $I$.