REPORT ON ABSTRACT 2

IDEALS

GERALDINE P. QUILLO
Theorem 3.2.7 Let R be a ring and I an ideal of R.
Then the additive quotient group R/I is a ring with
multiplication given by

( a + I )( b + I) = ab + I.

If R is commutative or has an identity, then the

same is true of R/I.
Proof : Since I is a subgroup of R and ( R, + )
is abelian, it follows that I ◁ R. Thus, R/I is
an additive abelian group. Since I is an ideal
of R, R/I is defined with
R/I = { r + I | r ∊ R }
The binary operations in R/I is defined by
( a+I ) + ( b+I ) = ( a+b ) + I
( a+I )(b+I ) = ab+I,
where a+I, b+I ∊ R/I.
To show: R/I is a ring
By Thm. 5.4 ( normality) R/I is an additive
abelian group. Thus, we only need to show
that the multiplication in R/I is well-defined
and associative and the left & right division
laws hold.

CLAIM 1. Multiplication in R/I is well-

defined.
 Supposed a+I = a’+I and b+I = b’+I.
Since a’ ∊ a’+I = a+I , a’ = a+i for some i ∊ I.
Similarly, b’ = b+j with j∊I.
Consequently,
a’b’ = (a+i)(b+j) = ab+ib+aj+ij
since I is an ideal
a’b’ – ab = ib +aj + ij ∊ I
Therefore, a’b’ + I = ab + I. By cor. 1.4.3
CLAIM 2. · is associative
Let a+I, b+I , c+I ∊ R/I. Then
[ (a+I)(b+I) ] ( c+I ) = (ab+I)(c+I), by definition of·
= ((ab) c)+ I, by definition of·
= (a (bc))+ I, by associativity in R
= (a+I) (bc + I), by definition of·
= (a+I)[(b+I)(c+I)],by associativity
CLAIM 3. LDL and RDL hold.
Let a+I, b+I , c+I ∊ R/I. Then
(a+I) [(b+I)+( c+I)] = (a+I)[(b+c) +I]
= (a (b+c)) + I
= ( ab + ac) +I
= ( ab +I)( ac+I)
= (a+I)(b+I)+(a+I)(c+I)
and
[(a+I) +(b+I)](c+I) = [(a+b)+I](c+I)
 = ( (a + b) c) +I
= ( ac + bc) +I
= ( ac + I ) + ( bc + I )
= ( a+I )( c+I )+( b+I)+(c+I)
Therefore, R/I is a ring.
∙ If R has 1R , 1R+ I is the identity in R/I since
(a+I)(1R+I) = (a1R)+I = a+I ∀a+I ∊ R/I
∙ If R is commutative (wrt ·), then so is R/I
since (a+I)(b+I) = ab+I = ba+I = (b+I)(a+I)
∀ a + I, b + I ∊ R/I. ∎
Theorem 3.2.8 If f : R → S is a
homomorphism of rings, then the kernel of f
is an ideal in R. Conversely, if I is an ideal in
R, then the map
Π : R →R/I given by r ↦ r+I is an
epimorphism of rings with kernel I.
The map Π is called canonical
epimorphism ( or projection).
To show:
Ker f = { r ∊ R | f(r) = OS } is an ideal of R.

Proof:
By definition, Kerf ⊆ R. Also, f(OR) = OS
implies OR ∊ Kerf. Thus, Kerf ≠∅.
Let a, b ∊ Kerf. Then f(a) = OS and f(b) = OS .
Thus,
f(a-b) = f(a + (-b))
= f(a) + f(-b)
 = OS + (-)f(b)
= OS + (-)OS
= OS
∴ a-b ∊ Kerf.
Also,
f(ab) = f(a) f(b) = f(r)OS = OS . Thus,
ab ∊ Kerf. Then f(a) = OS . Hence,
f(ra) = f(r)f(a)=f(r)OS=OS
f(ar) = f(a)f(r)=OS f(r)=OS
 ∴ ra , ar ∊Kerf
∴ Kerf is an ideal of R.

IDEAL TEST:
A subset I and R is an ideal of R iff:
1. I ≠∅
2. a-b ∊ I ∀a,b ∊ I
3. ra, ar ∊ I, ∀r ∊R, ∀a ∊ I.
 If I is an ideal in R, then the map
Π: R →R/I given by r↦r+I is a canonical
epimorphism of rings with kernel I.
Proof:
Let I◁R. Then R/I is defined.
Consider
Π: R → R/I given by r ↦ r+I.
Recall Theorem 5.5. It shows and proved
the well definedness of Π.
Π is homo:
Let a,b ∊R. Then
Π(ab) = ab+I = (a+I)(b+I)
= Π(a) Π(b) by def. of Π

Π is onto:
Let r+I ∊ R/I. Then r∊R s.t.
Π(r) = r+I.
Therefore, Π is onto
∴ Π is an epimorphism.