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The Noether normalization lemma is valid over every field $k$, including finite fields: a nonzero finitely generated algebra $C$ contains elements $y_1,\dots ,y_d$ with algebraic independence over $k$ such that $C$ is finite as a module over the polynomial ring $k[y_1,\dots ,y_d]$. We prove it without an infinite-field hypothesis.

Write $C=k[a_1,\dots ,a_n]$ and induct on $n$. If the generators have algebraic independence, they already give a polynomial ring and the assertion is immediate. Otherwise choose a nonzero relation $F(a_1,\dots ,a_n)=0$. Choose an integer $M$ larger than every exponent in the monomials of $F$, and setIn $F(Y_1+T^M,Y_2+T^{M^2},\dots ,Y_{n-1}+T^{M^{n-1}},T)$, the largest power of $T$ has a nonzero coefficient in $k$. Indeed, a monomial with exponents $(e_1,\dots ,e_n)$ contributes top weight $e_n+{\sum }_{i<n}{e}_i{M}^i$. These weights are distinct by uniqueness of base-$M$ expansion, so only one monomial contributes the highest power. After rescaling, the substituted relation is monic in $T$.

Consequently $a_n$ is an integral element over $C^{\prime }=k[b_1,\dots ,b_{n-1}]$, and $C=C^{\prime }[a_n]$ is finite over $C^{\prime }$. Apply the induction hypothesis to $C^{\prime }$ and compose the finite module extensions. This proves Noether normalization by weighted substitutions. The induction reaches $n=0$, where $C=k$. For an integral domain $C$, taking fraction fields makes the resulting extension finite algebraic, so $d$ is the transcendence degree of $\mathrm{Frac}(C)/k$. More generally $d=\dim C$: integral extensions preserve Krull dimension, and a polynomial algebra in $d$ variables has Krull dimension $d$.

A useful bridge to the Hilbert Nullstellensatz is the Zariski lemma. If a field $E$ is a finitely generated algebra over $k$, normalization makes it finite and integral over a polynomial ring $P=k[y_1,\dots ,y_d]$. A subring over which a field is integral is a field: for nonzero $a\in P$, an integral equation for $a^{-1}\in E$, multiplied by $a^{r-1}$, expresses $a^{-1}$ as an element of $P$. Therefore $P$ must be a field. A polynomial ring in a positive number of variables is not a field, since a variable has no polynomial inverse. Hence $d=0$ and $E/k$ is a finite field extension. This proves the Zariski lemma.

Now let $k$ be an algebraically closed field. The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that every maximal ideal of $k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$ is uniquely of the formTo prove it, the residue field $k[X]/\mathfrak{m}$ is a field generated as a $k$-algebra by the images of the variables. The Zariski lemma makes it finite algebraic over $k$, and algebraic closedness makes it $k$. Thus each $X_i$ has an image $a_i\in k$. The evaluation map has kernel the displayed ideal: subtracting the constant value of a polynomial expresses its difference as a combination of $X_i-a_i$. That kernel is maximal and contained in $\mathfrak{m}$, so equality holds. Conversely every evaluation kernel is maximal because its quotient is $k$. Uniqueness follows from the variable images. Every proper ideal is contained in a maximal ideal, so it has a common zero; equivalently, an ideal with no common zero is the whole ring.

For an ideal $I\subseteq k[X_1,\dots ,X_n]$, let $V(I)$ be its common-zero set and let $I(V(I))$ be all polynomials vanishing on that set. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz statesThe inclusion $\sqrt{I}\subseteq I(V(I))$ follows because a field has no nonzero nilpotent elements. For the other inclusion, take $f$ vanishing on $V(I)$, with $f\ne 0$, and form the Rabinowitsch trick idealIt has no common zero: at a zero of $I$ the second generator has value one. The Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz in $n+1$ variables gives $J=(1)$. Hence a finite identity has the form $1={\sum }_j{h}_j(X,T)g_j(X)+h(X,T)(1-Tf)$, with $g_j\in I$. Substitute $T=f^{-1}$ in the localization of a ring $k[X{]}_f$. Clearing the finitely many powers of $f$ occurring in denominators gives $f^r\in I$ for some $r$, so $f\in \sqrt{I}$. The case $f=0$ is immediate. This completes all three proofs. The algebraically closed hypothesis belongs to the two forms of the Hilbert Nullstellensatz; it was not needed for the Noether normalization lemma or the Zariski lemma.

If $f\in \sqrt{I}$, a power $f^m$ vanishes at every point of $Z(I)$, so $f$ itself vanishes there. This gives $\sqrt{I}\subseteq I(Z(I))$.

For the reverse inclusion, take $f$ vanishing on $Z(I)$ and use the Rabinowitsch trick. In $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n,t]$ form $J=(I,1-tf)$. A common zero would have $x\in Z(I)$, whence $f(x)=0$ and $1-tf(x)=1$, a contradiction. The assumed Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz gives $J=(1)$. Thus there is a finite expressionIf $f=0$ the conclusion is immediate. Otherwise substitute $t=f^{-1}$ in the localized polynomial ring. The last term vanishes, and clearing a sufficiently high power of $f$ gives $f^N\in I$. Hence $f\in \sqrt{I}$, proving the Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz:

Use the Rabinowitsch trick. In the polynomial ring $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n,t]$, considerIf $I$ were proper, it would lie in a maximal ideal. Part (a), together with algebraic closedness of $k$, is the Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz, so that maximal ideal would be evaluation at a point $(a_1,\dots ,a_n,b)\in k^{n+1}$. We would then haveBut the hypothesis gives $f(a)=0$, a contradiction. Therefore $I$ is the unit ideal.

There are polynomials $g_j$ and $h$ such thatSubstitute $t=f^{-1}$ in the localization $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n{]}_f$. This gives $1\in J_f$; clearing a power of $f$ yieldsThis is the Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz inclusion $I(Z(J))\subseteq \sqrt{J}$.

For an affine variety $X\subseteq {\mathbb{A}}_k^n$ with vanishing ideal $I(X)$, its Zariski tangent space at $p$ isThe dimension from minimum tangent dimension is

Now let $X=Z(f)$ with $f$ irreducible. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz gives $I(X)=(f)$, soIts dimension is at least $n-1$, and it is exactly $n-1$ wherever $\nabla f(p)\ne 0$.

It remains to find such a point in positive characteristic $q$. If every partial derivative of $f$ were the zero polynomial, every exponent occurring in $f$ would be divisible by $q$. Since the algebraically closed field $k$ is perfect, all coefficients have $q$th roots and $f$ would be a $q$th power, contradicting irreducibility. Thus some partial derivative $f_{x_i}$ is nonzero. If the gradient nevertheless vanished at every point of $Z(f)$, the Nullstellensatz would imply $f_{x_i}\in (f)$. This is impossible because $0\le \mathrm{deg}{f}_{x_i}<\mathrm{deg}f$. The smooth point on an irreducible hypersurface in positive characteristic therefore exists, and

Zariski lemma says that a field which is a finitely generated algebra over a field $k$ is a finite algebraic extension of $k$. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that, for an ideal $I\subseteq k[T_1,\dots ,T_n]$ over an algebraically closed field,

Let the unique point of $V(\mathfrak{a})$ be $x=(x_1,\dots ,x_n)$ and letThe Nullstellensatz gives $\sqrt{\mathfrak{a}}=\mathfrak{m}$, so $\mathfrak{a}\subseteq \mathfrak{m}$. Each of the finitely many generators $u_i=T_i-x_i$ of $\mathfrak{m}$ has some power $u_i^{e_i}\in \mathfrak{a}$. Ifthen every monomial of total degree $r$ in the $u_i$ is divisible by one of the $u_i^{e_i}$. HenceThus the assertion is true; algebraically, the quotient defines a punctual scheme supported at $x$.

Choose finite generating sets $I=(g_1,\dots ,g_s)$ and $J=(f_1,\dots ,f_t)$, using the Hilbert basis theorem. The assumed inclusion says that each $f_j$ vanishes on $V_{\mathbb{C}}(I)$. By the Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz, for every $j$ there is an exponent $N_j$ such that

The coefficients in an expression $f_j^{N_j}={\sum }_i{q}_{ij}{g}_i$ solve a finite system of linear equations with rational coefficients. Since it has a complex solution, Gaussian elimination gives a rational solution. Clearing the finitely many denominators produces a nonzero integer $D$ such thatfor every $j$.

For any prime $p\nmid D$, reduce these identities modulo $p$. At a common zero of ${\pi }_p(I)$ in the algebraic closure ${\overline{\mathbb{F}}}_p$, they give ${\pi }_p(f_j{)}^{N_j}=0$, hence ${\pi }_p(f_j)=0$, for all $j$. Thereforefor every prime except the finitely many divisors of $D$. This is the spreading out of an affine zero-set inclusion.

For an algebraically closed field $k$, the Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that every maximal ideal of $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n]$ isfor a unique $a\in k^n$. Equivalently, every proper ideal has a common zero. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that for every ideal $I$,

To deduce the strong form, let $f$ vanish on $V(I)$ and introduce a variable $y$. The equations in $I$ together with $1-yf$ have no common zero: a common zero would satisfy both $f=0$ and $yf=1$. The weak theorem therefore givesSubstitute $y=f^{-1}$ in the localization $k[x_1,\dots ,x_n,f^{-1}]$. The last term vanishes, and clearing a power of $f$ yields $f^N\in I$. Thus $f\in \sqrt{I}$. The reverse inclusion is immediate, completing the Rabinowitsch trick proof.

For an ideal $I\subseteq k[T_1,\dots ,T_n]$, defineFor $X\subseteq k^n$, defineand recall that $\sqrt{I}=\{f:f^r\in I\text{ for some }r\ge 1\}$ is the radical of an ideal.

For an algebraically closed field $k$, the Weak Hilbert Nullstellensatz says that every maximal ideal of $k[T_1,\dots ,T_n]$ isfor a unique $a\in k^n$, equivalently every proper ideal has a common zero. The Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz says

To prove the weak form, let $\mathfrak{m}$ be maximal. The residue fieldis a field finitely generated as a $k$-algebra. By the Zariski lemma, $K/k$ is finite algebraic; algebraic closedness gives $K=k$. If $a_i$ is the image of $T_i$, the quotient map is evaluation at $a=(a_1,\dots ,a_n)$ and its kernel is $(T_1-a_1,\dots ,T_n-a_n)$. This proves the assertion.

To prove the Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz from its weak form, adjoin a variable $y$ and the equation $1-yf$. If $f$ vanishes on $V(I)$, the ideal $(I,1-yf)$ has no common zero and is therefore the unit ideal. Substituting $y=f^{-1}$ and clearing denominators yields $f^N\in I$ for some $N$.

Let $k$ be algebraically closed of characteristic $p>0$ and let $f\in k[x_1,\dots ,x_n]$ be irreducible. Some partial derivative of $f$ is nonzero: otherwise every exponent is divisible by $p$, and perfection of $k$ would make $f$ a $p$th power. If the gradient vanished at every point of $Z(f)$, the Strong Hilbert Nullstellensatz would put each partial derivative in $(f)$, impossible by degree. Hence $Z(f)$ has a smooth point and minimum tangent dimension $n-1$.