Unique factorization domain

Two nonzero elements with no common nonunit irreducible factor. In a unique factorization domain this is equivalent to their greatest common divisor being a unit. Coprimality of numerator and denominator makes a fraction reduced, so simultaneous restrictions on its denominator can force it to be a regular function.

Every nonzero nonunit in a unique factorization domain is a finite product of irreducible elements. Such a factorization is unique up to permutation and multiplication of the factors by units. Irreducibles are prime elements, so divisibility can be checked by comparing their multiplicities. This applies to a polynomial ring over a field and is useful for intersections of localizations inside its fraction field.

A Noetherian integral domain is a unique factorization domain exactly when every prime ideal minimal among the nonzero prime ideals is principal. The converse uses the Krull principal ideal theorem to prove that every irreducible element generates a prime ideal.

Every height-one prime ideal in a unique factorization domain is principal and generated by an irreducible element. Consequently, two elements contained in the same height-one prime have a common irreducible factor.

Let $A$ be an integral domain that is a Noetherian ring, and let $x\in A$ generate a prime ideal. If the localization of a ring $A_x$ is a unique factorization domain, then $A$ is a unique factorization domain. Indeed, integrality of $a/x^n$ over $A$, with $n$ minimal, forces $x\mid a$ and hence proves that $A$ is an integrally closed domain. The Nagata theorem for divisor class groups then says that $\mathrm{Cl}(A)$ is generated by the height-one primes containing $x$; the only one is the principal prime $(x)$, so $\mathrm{Cl}(A)=0$.