= Solution
Suppose $xy\in J$ and $x\notin J$. Then the <colon ideal> $(J:x)$ properly contains $J$ because it contains $y$. If also $y\notin J$, then $J+(x)$ properly contains $J$. The maximality of $J$ in the family makes both larger ideals lie outside the family. Applying the stated closure condition with $I=J$ and $a=x$ would imply $J$ lies outside the family, a contradiction. Hence $x\in J$ or $y\in J$, and $J$ is a <prime ideal>. This argument is the <Prime ideal principle for an Oka family>.
Back to article page