Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2015 / iii / Paper 1 / 3 / i / Solution

An integral extension $R\subseteq T$ means every $t\in T$ satisfies a monic polynomialTo prove the Lying-over theorem, localize at $S=R\setminus P$. The injection $R_P\hookrightarrow S^{-1}T$ remains injective, and $S^{-1}T$ is integral over $R_P$: a monic relation for $t$ divided by suitable powers of $s$ gives one for $t/s$. This is a nonzero ring, so choose a maximal ideal $M$ of it.

The contraction of $M$ to $R_P$ is maximal. To see this directly, a field integral over a subring forces that subring to be a field. For nonzero $a$ in the subring, $a^{-1}$ is integral; multiply its monic equation of degree $d$ by $a^{d-1}$ to express $a^{-1}$ as a polynomial in $a$ with coefficients in the subring. Apply this to the integral extensionSince $R_P$ is a local ring with unique maximal ideal $P{R}_P$, we obtain $M\cap R_P=P{R}_P$.

Contract $M$ to $T$, obtaining a prime ideal $Q$. Its contraction to $R$ is the contraction of $P{R}_P$, namely $P$. Thus