ProofComplete

Integral Extensions - Key Proof

We prove the lying over theorem and the characterization of integrality via finite module generation.

TheoremLying Over Theorem

Let R⊆SR \subseteq S be an integral extension and p∈Spec(R)\mathfrak{p} \in \text{Spec}(R). Then there exists P∈Spec(S)\mathfrak{P} \in \text{Spec}(S) with P∩R=p\mathfrak{P} \cap R = \mathfrak{p}.

ProofProof of Lying Over

Consider the localization Sp=S⊗RRpS_\mathfrak{p} = S \otimes_R R_\mathfrak{p}. Since SS is integral over RR, the extension Rp⊆SpR_\mathfrak{p} \subseteq S_\mathfrak{p} is also integral (integrality is preserved under localization).

Claim: Sp≠0S_\mathfrak{p} \neq 0.

If Sp=0S_\mathfrak{p} = 0, then 1=01 = 0 in SpS_\mathfrak{p}, so there exists s∈R∖ps \in R \setminus \mathfrak{p} with s⋅1=0s \cdot 1 = 0 in SS. But SS is integral over RR, hence faithful, contradicting 1≠01 \neq 0 in SS.

Since Sp≠0S_\mathfrak{p} \neq 0 is a non-zero ring, it has a maximal ideal M\mathfrak{M}. Let P=M∩S\mathfrak{P} = \mathfrak{M} \cap S.

Verification: We have: P∩R=(M∩S)∩R=M∩R=pRp∩R=p\mathfrak{P} \cap R = (\mathfrak{M} \cap S) \cap R = \mathfrak{M} \cap R = \mathfrak{p} R_\mathfrak{p} \cap R = \mathfrak{p}

The penultimate equality uses that M\mathfrak{M} is maximal over pRp\mathfrak{p} R_\mathfrak{p} in the integral extension Rp⊆SpR_\mathfrak{p} \subseteq S_\mathfrak{p}, so it contracts to pRp\mathfrak{p} R_\mathfrak{p}.

Thus P\mathfrak{P} is a prime in SS lying over p\mathfrak{p}.

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Remark

The proof uses two key facts: integral extensions of non-zero rings are non-zero, and prime ideals in localizations correspond to prime ideals in the original ring. The localization technique reduces to analyzing local rings where maximal ideals are more accessible.

TheoremModule Characterization of Integrality

An element s∈Ss \in S is integral over RR if and only if R[s]R[s] is finitely generated as an RR-module.

ProofProof of Module Characterization

(⇒\Rightarrow): Suppose ss satisfies sn+an−1sn−1+⋯+a0=0s^n + a_{n-1}s^{n-1} + \cdots + a_0 = 0 with ai∈Ra_i \in R.

Then sn∈R[sn−1,…,s,1]s^n \in R[s^{n-1}, \ldots, s, 1], so: R[s]=R⋅1+R⋅s+⋯+R⋅sn−1R[s] = R \cdot 1 + R \cdot s + \cdots + R \cdot s^{n-1}

is generated by {1,s,…,sn−1}\{1, s, \ldots, s^{n-1}\} as an RR-module, hence finitely generated.

(⇐\Leftarrow): Suppose R[s]R[s] is finitely generated as an RR-module, say by {m1,…,mk}\{m_1, \ldots, m_k\}.

Since mi∈R[s]m_i \in R[s], we can write smi=∑j=1kaijmjsm_i = \sum_{j=1}^k a_{ij} m_j for some aij∈Ra_{ij} \in R. In matrix form: (sI−A)m=0(sI - A)\mathbf{m} = 0

where A=(aij)A = (a_{ij}) and m=(m1,…,mk)T\mathbf{m} = (m_1, \ldots, m_k)^T.

Multiplying by adj(sI−A)\text{adj}(sI - A) (the adjugate matrix): det⁡(sI−A)m=0\det(sI - A) \mathbf{m} = 0

Since 1∈R[s]1 \in R[s] can be written as 1=∑rimi1 = \sum r_i m_i, we have: det⁡(sI−A)=0\det(sI - A) = 0

Expanding the determinant gives a monic polynomial equation for ss: sk+ck−1sk−1+⋯+c0=0s^k + c_{k-1}s^{k-1} + \cdots + c_0 = 0

with coefficients ci∈Rc_i \in R. Thus ss is integral over RR.

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Remark

The backward direction uses the Cayley-Hamilton technique: any endomorphism satisfies its characteristic polynomial. Here, multiplication by ss is an RR-linear endomorphism of the finite free module Rk≅R[s]R^k \cong R[s], so it satisfies its characteristic equation.

ProofTransitivity of Integral Extensions

Let R⊆S⊆TR \subseteq S \subseteq T with SS integral over RR and TT integral over SS. We show TT is integral over RR.

Let t∈Tt \in T. Since tt is integral over SS: tn+sn−1tn−1+⋯+s0=0t^n + s_{n-1}t^{n-1} + \cdots + s_0 = 0

with si∈Ss_i \in S. Let R′=R[s0,…,sn−1]⊆SR' = R[s_0, \ldots, s_{n-1}] \subseteq S.

Since each sis_i is integral over RR, we have R[si]R[s_i] finitely generated as an RR-module. Therefore: R′=R[s0,…,sn−1]R' = R[s_0, \ldots, s_{n-1}]

is finitely generated as an RR-module (finite extensions of finite extensions are finite).

Now tt satisfies a monic polynomial over R′R', so R′[t]R'[t] is finitely generated as an R′R'-module. Since R′R' is finitely generated as an RR-module, we conclude: R[t]⊆R′[t]R[t] \subseteq R'[t]

is finitely generated as an RR-module (composition of finite extensions).

By the module characterization, tt is integral over RR.

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These proofs establish the fundamental properties of integral extensions through module-theoretic and localization techniques, forming the foundation for geometric and arithmetic applications.