Let k be a field, J an ideal of k[x1,…,xn], and let R=k[x1,…,xn]/J. Define the radical J of J and show that it is also an ideal.
The Nullstellensatz says that if J is a maximal ideal, then the inclusion k⊆R is an algebraic extension of fields. Suppose from now on that k is algebraically closed. Assuming the above statement of the Nullstellensatz, prove the following.
(i) If J is a maximal ideal, then J=(x1−a1,…,xn−an), for some (a1,…,an)∈kn.
(ii) If J=k[x1,…,xn], then Z(J)=∅, where
Z(J)={a∈kn∣f(a)=0 for all f∈J}
(iii) For V an affine subvariety of kn, we set
I(V)={f∈k[x1,…,xn]∣f(a)=0 for all a∈V}
Prove that J=I(V) for some affine subvariety V⊆kn, if and only if J=J.
[Hint. Given f∈J, you may wish to consider the ideal in k[x1,…,xn,y] generated byJ and yf−1.]
(iv) If A is a finitely generated algebra over k, and A does not contain nilpotent elements, then there is an affine variety V⊆kn, for some n, with A=k[x1,…,xn]/I(V).
Assuming char(k)=2, find J when J is the ideal (x(x−y)2,y(x+y)2) in k[x,y].