Section 11.4 and 12.1.

Homework #6 Masaya Sato

Section 11.4
3. Let R be any commutative ring with 1, let V be an R-module and let x1 , x2 , . . . , xn ∈ V .
Assume that for some A ∈ Mn×n (R),
 
x1
 .. 
A  .  = 0.
xn

Prove that (det A)xi = 0, for all i ∈ {1, 2, . . . , n}.

Proof. Consider the following two cases.
Case 1. Suppose all xi ’s are 0. Then it is obvious that (det A)xi = 0 for all i = {1, 2, . . . , n}.
Case 2. Suppose there exist some xi such that xi 6= 0. Then the equation
 
x1
 .. 
A  .  = 0.
xn

has a nontrivial solution. Therefore the set of column vectors {a1 , a2 , . . . , an } of the matrix
A = [a1 a2 · · · an ] are linearly dependent. Hence det A = 0 and thus (det A)xi = 0 for all
i = {1, 2, . . . , n}.
6. (Minkowski’s Criterion) Suppose that A is an n × n matrix with real entries such that
the diagonal elements are all positive, the off-diagonal elements are all negative and the row
sums are all positive. Prove that det A 6= 0. [Consider the corresponding system of equations
AX = 0 and suppose there is a nontrivial solution (x1 , . . . , xn ). If xi has the largest absolute
value show that the ith equation leads to a contradiction.]
Proof. Suppose by contradiction that det A = 0, i.e. the matrix equation AX = 0 has a
nontrivial solution X = (x1 , . . . , xn ), where not all xi ’s are zero. Then choose xi 6= 0 such
that |xi | is the largest value. For the corresponding system of equations of x1 , . . . , xn the ith
equation is given by

ai1 x1 + · · · + aii−1 xi−1 + aii xi + aii+1 xi+1 + · · · + ain xn = 0,

where ai1 + · · · + aii−1 + aii + aii+1 + · · · + ain > 0. So even if xi > 0 or xi < 0 the above
ith equation cannot be equal to zero. This is contradiction and therefore det A = 0 as
desired.
Section 12.1
1. Let M be a module over the integral domain R.

(a) Suppose x is a nonzero torsion element in M . Show that x and 0 are “linearly dependent.”
Conclude that the rank of Tor(M ) is 0, so that in particular any torsion R-module has
rank 0.

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 1

Section 11.4 and 12.1. Homework #6 Masaya Sato

(b) Show that the rank of M is the same as the rank of the (torsion free) quotient M/Tor(M ).

Proof. (a) Since x ∈ Tor(M ), there exists a nonzero r ∈ R such that rx = 0. Therefore the
equation rm+r0 0 = 0 holds true, where r0 ∈ R, and hence x and 0 are linearly dependent.
2. Let M be a module over the integral domain R.

(a) Suppose that M has rank n and that x1 , x2 , . . . , xn is any maximal set of linearly in-
dependent elements of M . Let N = Rx1 + · · · + Rxn be the submodule generated by
x1 , x2 , . . . , xn . Prove that N is isomorphic to Rn and that the quotient M/N is a tor-
sion R-module (equivalently, the elements x1 , . . . , xn are linearly independent and for
any y ∈ M there is a nonzero element r ∈ R such that ry can be written as a linear
combination r1 x1 + · · · + rn xn of the xi ).

(b) Prove that conversely that if M contains a submodule N that is free of rank n (i.e.
N ∼ = Rn ) such that the quotient M/N is a torsion R-module then M has rank n. [Let
y1 , y2 , . . . , yn+1 be any n + 1 elements of M . Use the fact that M/N is torsion to write
ri yi as a linear combination of a basis for N for some nonzero elements r1 , . . . rn+1 of R.
Use an argument as in the proof of Proposition 3 to see that the ri yi , and hence also the
yi , are linearly dependent.]

Proof. (a) Think of Rn as an R-module and define an R-module map ϕ : N → Rn by

ϕ(r1 x1 + · · · + rn xn ) = (r1 , . . . , rn ).

It is easy to see that ϕ is an R-module homomorphism and moreover surjective by its

construction. So for all x ∈ N with some r1 , . . . , rn ∈ R such that x = r1 x1 + · · · + rn xn if
x ∈ ker ϕ, then

ϕ(x) = 0Rn ⇒ ϕ(r1 x1 + · · · + rn xn ) = 0Rn

⇒ (r1 , . . . , rn ) = 0Rn .

Thus ri = 0 for i = 1, . . . , n and x = 0. Therefore ker ϕ = 0 and hence ϕ is injective. This

proves that ϕ is an isomorphism. Now observe that {x1 , . . . , xn } is a basis for M since M
has rank n. So for every y ∈ M and some nonzero r ∈ R ry ∈ M is expressed as a linear
combination of x1 , . . . , and xn , i.e.

ry = r1 x1 + · · · + rn xn ,

where ri ∈ R for i = 1, . . . , n. This implies that ry ∈ N and

ry + N = 0 + N ∈ M/N

and thus y is a torsion element in the quotient M/N .

(b) Suppose that N is isomorphic to Rn and M/N is a torsion module. Then choose a

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 2

Section 11.4 and 12.1. Homework #6 Masaya Sato

basis {x1 , . . . , xn } for N and extend this basis {x1 , . . . , xn , xn+1 , . . . , xm } for M . M has rank
m ≥ n, so suppose by contradiction that m > n. Observe that

xn+1 + N, . . . , xm + N

form a basis for M/N . Since M/N is a torsion module, there exist some ri ∈ R such that

ri (xi + N ) = ri xi + N = 0 + N ∈ M/N

for i = n + 1, . . . , m. I.e. ri xi ∈ N . Then for every x ∈ M there exist ai ∈ R for i = 1, . . . , m

such that
x = a1 x1 + · · · + an xn + an+1 xn+1 + · · · + am xm .
Now let r = rn+1 · · · rm . So rx ∈ M since M is a R-module. However for i = n + 1, . . . , m

r(ai xi ) = (rai )xi = (ai r)xi = ai (rxi ) ∈ N

since R is an integral domain and N is an R-submodule. This contradicts the assumption

that M has rank m such that m > n. Therefore m = n and thus M is of rank n.
3. Let R be an integral domain and let A and B be R-modules of rank m and n, respectively.
Prove that the rank of A ⊕ B is m + n. [Use the previous exercise.]
Proof. Observe that A ⊕ B is finite dimensional since A and B are both finite dimensional.
Then by the Second Isomorphism Theorem for modules

(A + B)/B ∼
= A/(A ∩ B).

Moreover since A ∩ B = 0,
(A ⊕ B)/B ∼
= A.
Therefore

dim (A ⊕ B)/B = dim A ⇒ dim A ⊕ B − dim B = dim A

⇒ dim A ⊕ B = dim A + dim B = m + n

and thus A ⊕ B is of rank m + n.

4. Let R be an integral domain, let M be an R-module and let N be a submodule of M .
Suppose that M has rank n, N has rank r and the quotient M/N has rank s. Prove that
n = r + s. [Let x1 , x2 , . . . , xs be elements of M whose images in M/N are maximal set of
independent elements and let xs+1 , xs+2 , . . . , xs+r be a maximal set of independent elements
in N . Prove that x1 , x2 , . . . , xs+r are linearly independent in M and that for any element
y ∈ M there is a nonzero element r ∈ R such that ry is a linear combination of these
elements. Then use Exercise 2.]

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 3

Section 11.4 and 12.1. Homework #6 Masaya Sato

Proof. Let {x1 , . . . , xr } be a basis for N and extend this to a basis {x1 , . . . , xr , xr+1 , . . . , xn
for M . Observe that
xi + N = 0 + N ∈ M/N
for i = 1, . . . , r since each is a basis element for N . Now claim that

{xr+1 + N, . . . , xn + N }

form a basis for M/N . Then for every x ∈ M there exist a1 , . . . , an ∈ R such that

x = a1 x1 + · · · + an xn ⇒ x + N = (ar+1 xr+1 + · · · + an xn ) + N
⇒ x + N = ar+1 (xr+1 + N ) + · · · + an (xn + N ) ∈ M/N .

So the set {xr+1 + N, . . . , xn + N } generates M/N . Moreover for ar+1 , . . . , an ∈ R

ar+1 (xr+1 + N ) + · · · + an (xn + N ) = 0 + N ⇒ ar+1 xr+1 + · · · + an xn ∈ N .

Thus ar+1 xr+1 + · · · + an xn = 0 and ar+1 = · · · = an = 0 because otherwise ar+1 xr+1 + · · · +

an xn would not be expressed uniquely. Therefore

{xr+1 + N, . . . , xn + N }

is linearly independent and then the set form a basis for M/N . Hence M/N has rank n − r
and
n−r =s⇒n=r+s
as desired.
5. Let R = Z[x] and let M = (2, x) be the ideal generated by 2 and x, considered as
a submodule of R. Show that {2, x} is not a basis of M . [Find a nontrivial R-linear
dependence between these two elements.] Show that the rank of M is 1 but that M is not
free of rank 1 (cf. Exercise 2).
Proof. {2, x} is not a basis of M since {2, x} is linearly dependent i.e. the equation in terms
of r1 and r2
r1 2 + r2 x = 0
has a nontrivial solution r1 = −x and r2 = 2 because multiplication is commutative. So the
maximum number of a linearly independent set is 1 and thus M is of rank 1. However M is
not generated by any nonzero single element since M = (2, x), which is a nonprincipal ideal
of R.
6. Show that if R is an integral domain and M is any nonprincipal ideal of R then M is
torsion free of rank 1 but is not a free R-module.

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 4

Section 11.4 and 12.1. Homework #6 Masaya Sato

Proof. Observe first that M is an R-submodule of R. For all nonzero x, y ∈ M the equation
in terms of x and y
r1 x + r2 y = 0,
where r1 and r2 are elements in R, has a nontrivial solution r1 = −y and r2 = x because
multiplication is commutative. So the maximum number of linearly independent set is 1 and
thus M is of rank 1. Moreover for every nonzero x ∈ M

rx 6= 0

for every nonzero r ∈ R since R is an integral domain. Thus M is a torsion free module,
but M is not free because M is nonprincipal ideal of R, i.e. M cannot be generated by any
nonzero single element in M .
7. Let R be any ring, let A1 , A2 , . . . , Am be R-modules and let Bi be submodules of Ai ,
1 ≤ i ≤ m. Prove that

(A1 ⊕ A2 ⊕ · · · Am )/(B1 ⊕ B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Bm ) ∼
= (A1 /B1 ) ⊕ (A2 /B2 ) ⊕ · · · ⊕ (Am /Bm ).

Proof. Define an R-module homomorphism ϕ : A1 ⊕ A2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Am → (A1 /B1 ) ⊕ (A2 /B2 ) ⊕

· · · ⊕ (Am /Bm ) by

ϕ(a1 ⊕ a2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ am ) = (a1 + B1 ) ⊕ (a2 + B2 ) ⊕ · · · ⊕ (an + Bn ).

ϕ is well-defined and moreover surjective by its construction. Then the kernel ker ϕ is given
by all elements x1 ⊕ x2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xm ∈ A1 ⊕ A2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Am such that ϕ(x1 ⊕ x2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xm ) =
0 + B1 ⊕ 0 + B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ 0 + Bm . So

x1 ⊕ x2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xm ∈ (A1 ⊕ A2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Am ) ∩ (B1 ⊕ B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Bm )

and
x1 ⊕ x2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xn ∈ (A1 ∩ B1 ) ⊕ (A2 ∩ B2 ) ⊕ · · · ⊕ (Am ∩ Bm )
and hence
x1 ⊕ x2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ xn ∈ B1 ⊕ B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Bm .
Therefore ker ϕ = B1 ⊕ B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Bm and thus ϕ induces the isomorphism ϕ between
(A1 ⊕ A2 ⊕ · · · Am )/(B1 ⊕ B2 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Bm ) and (A1 /B1 ) ⊕ (A2 /B2 ) ⊕ · · · ⊕ (Am /Bm ).
9. Give an example of an integral domain R and a nonzero torsion R-module M such that
Ann(M ) = 0. Prove that if N is finitely generated torsion R-module then Ann(N ) 6= 0.
Proof. For F(R, R), the set of all functions from R to R, let M be a subset of F(R, R) such
that every element f ∈ M is a function with compact support. Then M is a module over
itself. Moreover, M is a nonzero torsion module since for every f ∈ M there exists some
g ∈ M , whose compact support is distinct from the one of f , such that

gf = o,

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 5

Section 11.4 and 12.1. Homework #6 Masaya Sato

where o : R → R denotes the zero function. However any nonzero g ∈ M does not annihilate
all f ∈ M since some f has distinct compact support.
Now suppose that a torsion R-module N is generated by x1 , . . . , xn , i.e.
N = Rx1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Rxn .
So for every nonzero x ∈ N there exist unique a1 , . . . , an ∈ R such that
x = a1 x 1 + · · · + an x n .
Note that for each xi there is a nonzero ri ∈ R so that ri xi = 0 since N is a torsion module.
Then for nonzero r = r1 . . . rn
rx = r(a1 x1 + · · · + an xn ) = (ra1 )x1 + · · · + (ran )xn
= (a1 · · · rn )(r1 x1 ) + · · · + (an · · · rn−1 )(rn xn )
= 0 + ··· + 0
=0
because R is an integral domain. Therefore r ∈ Ann(M ) and thus Ann(M ) 6= 0.
13. If M is finitely generated module over the P.I.D. R, describe the structure of M/Tor(M ).
Solution: Let M be an R-module of rank n. Then observe that M/Tor(M ) is a torsion free
quotient module. By existence and uniqueness of the Fundamental Theorem,
M = R ⊕ · · · ⊕ R.

15 Prove that if R is a Noetherian ring then Rn is a Noetherian R-module. [Fix a basis of

Rn . If M is a submodule of Rn show that the collection of first coordinates of elements of M
is a submodule of R hence is finitely generated. Let m1 , m2 , . . . , mk be elements of M whose
first coordinates generate this submodule of R. Show that any element of M can be written
as an R-linear combination of m1 , m2 , . . . , mk plus an element of M whose first coordinates
is 0. Prove that M ∩ Rn−1 is a submodule of Rn−1 is the set of elements of Rn with first
coordinate 0 and then use induction on n.
Proof. Observe first that Rn = R ⊕ · · · ⊕ R is an R-module. Then observe also that for a
direct sum of ideals of Rn
I1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ In ⊆ J1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Jn
if and only if I i ⊆ J i for all i = 1, . . . , n. Now consider an infinite ascending sequence of
ideals
I11 ⊕ · · · ⊕ I1n ⊆ · · · ⊆ Ik1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Ikn ⊆ Ik+1
1 n
⊕ · · · ⊕ Ik+1 ⊆ ···.
The for each i there exists ki such that Iki i = Iki i +1 because R is Noetherian. Let l =
max {ki |i = 1, · · · , n}. Therefore
Il1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Iln = Il+1
1 n
⊕ · · · ⊕ Il+1
and hence Rn is a Noetherian R-module by the Ascending Chain Condition.

Abstract Algebra by Dummit and Foote 6