Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / iii / Paper 7 / 1

Set $S=A\setminus \mathfrak{m}$, a multiplicative subset because $\mathfrak{m}$ is a prime ideal. The quotient module $B=A/\mathfrak{a}$ is a cyclic module generated by $\bar{1}$, so its localization of a module $S^{-1}B$ is zero precisely when $\bar{1}/1=0$. By the vanishing criterion in a module localization, this is equivalent to the existence of $s\in S$ with $s\bar{1}=0$ in $B$. The latter condition says $s\in \mathfrak{a}$. ThereforeExplicitly, if $s\in \mathfrak{a}\setminus \mathfrak{m}$, multiplication by $s$ annihilates $B$ but becomes invertible after localization, forcing every localized element to be zero.

The forward implication is immediate: the localization of a module that is zero remains zero. Conversely, suppose $M\ne 0$ and choose $0\ne x\in M$. Its annihilatoris a proper ideal, since $1\notin J$. Choose a maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}$ containing $J$. Then $x/1$ cannot be zero in $M_{\mathfrak{m}}$: otherwise the vanishing criterion in a module localization would give $sx=0$ for some $s\notin \mathfrak{m}$, contradicting $s\in J\subseteq \mathfrak{m}$. Thus some maximal localization is nonzero, provingIn the suggested cyclic description, $Ax\cong A/J$ and part (a) gives $(Ax{)}_{\mathfrak{m}}\ne 0$; the same fraction argument embeds it in $M_{\mathfrak{m}}$. This is localization detects zero elements, applied to an arbitrary module; finite generation is unnecessary.

Suppose $f$ is injective. If $f_{\mathfrak{m}}(x/s)=0$, some $t\notin \mathfrak{m}$ satisfies $tf(x)=f(tx)=0$. Injectivity gives $tx=0$, and the vanishing criterion in a module localization gives $x/s=0$. Hence every localized module homomorphism is injective.

Conversely, suppose all $f_{\mathfrak{m}}$ are injective. For $x\in \ker f$, its image $x/1$ in $M_{\mathfrak{m}}$ maps to zero and therefore is zero for every maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}$. The annihilator argument in part (b) implies $x=0$. Thus $\ker f=0$ and $f$ is injective. We have proved that injectivity of a module map is detected at maximal localizations:Equivalently, exactness of localization gives $(\ker f{)}_{\mathfrak{m}}\cong \ker (f_{\mathfrak{m}})$, and part (b) detects whether this kernel is zero.

Use the defining criterion that a flat module $E$ makes $u\otimes 1_E$ injective for every injective module homomorphism $u$. By right exactness of the tensor product, preserving injections is equivalent to preserving every short exact sequence.

First assume $E$ is flat over $A$, and fix a maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}$. Let $u:U\hookrightarrow V$ be an injection of $A_{\mathfrak{m}}$-modules. Regard it as an injection of $A$-modules. There are natural module isomorphismsFor example, $u_0\otimes (e/s)$ maps to $s^{-1}{u}_0\otimes e$, with inverse $u_0\otimes e\mapsto u_0\otimes (e/1)$. These are well-defined because every $s\notin \mathfrak{m}$ already acts invertibly on $U$. Under these isomorphisms the tensor map is $u{\otimes }_A{1}_E$, which is injective by flatness. Thus $E_{\mathfrak{m}}$ is flat over $A_{\mathfrak{m}}$.

For the converse, assume every $E_{\mathfrak{m}}$ is flat over $A_{\mathfrak{m}}$ and take any injection $u:U\hookrightarrow V$ of $A$-modules. By part (c), each $u_{\mathfrak{m}}$ is injective. Since localization commutes with tensor products, the localization of $u{\otimes }_A{1}_E$ identifies withIt is injective by the assumed local flatness. Apply part (c) again, now to $u{\otimes }_A{1}_E$, to conclude that it is injective globally. Since $u$ was arbitrary, $E$ is flat. ThereforeThis proves flatness is local without any finite-generation hypothesis.