Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 113 1 a Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Let be a valuation ring with fraction field . For every commutative squarethe valuative criterion for separatedness says that a finite type morphism between Noetherian schemes is separated exactly when there is at most one dotted lift completing the diagram.
Under the same finiteness hypotheses, the valuative criterion for properness says that is proper exactly when every such square has a unique lift. Thus separatedness supplies uniqueness, while properness supplies existence as well.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 113 1 b Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
The composite is proper, hence separated. If two lifts solve a valuation-ring lifting problem for , they also solve the corresponding problem for . The valuative criterion for separatedness for makes them equal, so is separated.
It remains to prove existence. Start with a squareAfter composing the lower map with , properness of gives a lift over whose generic restriction is . The two maps and from to agree on and have the same composite with . Since is separated, its valuative uniqueness criterion gives . Hence is the required lift for .
The morphism is of finite type by hypothesis, and it is separated and satisfies valuative existence. The valuative criterion for properness therefore proves that is proper.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 113 1 c Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-09-24
Let be a discrete valuation ring with uniformizer , fraction field , and normalized discrete valuation . A map is a projective pointwith at least one nonzero coordinate. Put and set . Then every lies in , and at least one is a unit.
On the standard affine chart of projective space, the ratios all lie in . They therefore define a map whose generic restriction is the original point. This proves existence in the DVR case. The assumed separatedness of , through the valuative criterion for separatedness, gives uniqueness. Thus the morphism satisfies the requested DVR form of the valuative criterion for properness.