Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2024 / iii / Paper 101 / 2 / i

The maximum isThe product of two fields $K\times L$ attains it: its only nonzero proper ideals are $K\times 0$ and $0\times L$, and both are maximal ideals.

For the upper bound, suppose ${\mathfrak{m}}_1$ and ${\mathfrak{m}}_2$ are distinct maximal ideals of $R$. Their intersection cannot be nonzero, since a nonzero proper ideal is maximal and cannot be properly contained in either of two distinct maximal ideals. Hence ${\mathfrak{m}}_1\cap {\mathfrak{m}}_2=0$. Also ${\mathfrak{m}}_1+{\mathfrak{m}}_2=R$, so the Chinese remainder theorem givesBoth factors are fields, and this product has exactly two maximal ideals. Thus a third maximal ideal is impossible.