Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2008 / iii / Paper 7 / 4 / c

Choose algebra generators $b_1,\dots ,b_n$ for $B$ over $A$. Because the extension is integral, each $b_i$ satisfies a monic equationRepeatedly reduce any exponent at least $e_i$ using this equation. Since the generators commute, every polynomial in them becomes an $A$-linear combination of the finitely many monomialsThus $B$ is a finitely generated module over $A$, with at most $D={\prod }_i{e}_i$ generators. This proves the relevant subalgebra generated by finitely many integral elements assertion rather than merely invoking it.

For a fixed prime ideal $\mathfrak{p}\subset A$, form the fiber ring $C=B{\otimes }_A\kappa (\mathfrak{p})$. Tensoring the finite generating list shows ${\dim }_{\kappa (\mathfrak{p})}C\le D$: its pure tensors with one span the fiber over the residue field $\kappa (\mathfrak{p})$. Part (b) therefore gives only finitely many primes in $C$. By the canonical bijection in part (a), these are precisely the primes of $B$ contracting to $\mathfrak{p}$. HenceNo Noetherian hypothesis on $A$ is needed. For an empty algebra-generating list, $B=A$ and the empty product $D=1$ gives the same conclusion.