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Intersection Products on Smooth Projective Surfaces — Examples

1 · Prerequisites

2 · Summary

These examples compute the intersection pairing on the projective plane and on its blowup at a rational point, and record the two hypotheses the construction cannot do without: the quadric cone shows that a prime divisor on a normal integral projective surface need not be Cartier, and two planes in P3 meet in a line although the alternating sum stays 1. They use the A-page items rather than repeating their proofs.

3 · Logical flowchart

4 · Definitions, theorems and proofs

None yet.

5 · Examples, counterexamples and false statements

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The intersection pairing on the projective plane

Example

Assume the Axiom of Choice, inherited through the Euler-characteristic and cohomology suppliers (The Axiom of Choice). Let k be a field and let X=Pk2 with its twisting sheaves O(d) (Twisting sheaf on Proj, Invertible twists for degree-one generated rings). Then O(d)⋅O(e)=defor all d,e∈Z. Consequently the class l:=O(1) of a line satisfies l⋅l=1, and for nonzero homogeneous forms f,g of degrees d,e≥1 with zero schemes C=Z(f), D=Z(g) and O(C)≅O(d), O(D)≅O(e) (effective Cartier divisors) one has C⋅D=de; in particular a line has l⋅l=1, a smooth conic C has C⋅C=4, and a line and a smooth conic meet with l⋅C=2=deg⁡l(O(2)∣l). All values lie in Z and agree with the restriction-degree theorem Intersection with a curve is the degree of the restriction.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: a field k, the projective plane X=Pk2 with twisting sheaves O(d), a line l, and nonzero homogeneous forms f,g of degrees d,e≥1 with zero schemes C=Z(f), D=Z(g).

[F1]

Pk2 is an integral regular projective surface over k of pure dimension two: its affine charts are spectra of polynomial domains in two variables over k, whose local rings are regular and whose dimension is two (localisation and polynomial extension of regular rings, Affine-domain dimension equals transcendence degree), and the irreducible charts form a pairwise intersecting open cover (Relative projective space from standard charts, Projective space is Proj of a polynomial ring, Integral schemes, Intersection numbers of Cartier divisors on a smooth projective surface). Its twisting sheaves are invertible and satisfy O(m)⊗O(n)≅O(m+n) and O(−d)≅O(d)∨ (Invertible twists for degree-one generated rings, Dual of a line bundle is its tensor inverse).

[F2]

Cohomology of twists: on Pk2 the cohomology of O(m) vanishes except in degrees 0 and 2, with H0≅k[x0,x1,x2]m for m≥0 (dimension (m+22)), H0=0 for m<0, and H2 described by the negative Laurent monomials, nonzero exactly for m≤−3 with dimension (−m−12) (Cohomology of O(d) on projective space, Relative projective space from standard charts). Consequently the Euler characteristic of Euler characteristic of a coherent sheaf satisfies χ(X,O(m))=(m+22)=(m+2)(m+1)2for every m∈Z.

[F3]

Regular sections and divisors: on the integral scheme X a nonzero global section of an invertible sheaf is regular, so its zero scheme is an effective Cartier divisor Z(s) with OX(Z(s))≅L (A regular global section of an invertible sheaf glues to an effective Cartier divisor, Zero scheme of a line-bundle section, Effective cartier divisor, Invertible sheaf of cartier divisor). For the nonzero form f of degree d≥1 the section f∈Γ(X,O(d)) is nonzero and its zero scheme is C; likewise for g.

[F4]

The restriction-degree theorem (Intersection with a curve is the degree of the restriction): for effective Cartier divisors C,D on the surface X one has C⋅D=deg⁡C(O(D)∣C), where deg⁡C is the Euler-characteristic degree of Degree of an invertible sheaf on a proper one-dimensional scheme. For the line l=Z(x0)⊆X, which by [F3] is an effective Cartier divisor with associated line bundle OX(l)≅O(1), with closed immersion j:l↪X, twisting the exact sequence of Twisting the exact sequence of an effective Cartier divisor gives 0→O(m−1)→O(m)→j∗(O(m)∣l)→0 for every m∈Z; additivity of χ on short exact sequences of coherent modules (Euler characteristic is additive in short exact sequences) and the closed-immersion projection formula χ(X,j∗F)=χ(l,F) for coherent F on l (Projection formula for a closed immersion and an invertible sheaf) therefore give χ(l,O(m)∣l)=χ(X,O(m))−χ(X,O(m−1))=m+1 by [F2], in particular deg⁡l(O(2)∣l)=3−1=2.

[F5]

The intersection product on the integral regular projective surface X is the symmetric Z-bilinear pairing of The surface intersection product is symmetric and bilinear, defined by the alternating sum of Intersection numbers of Cartier divisors on a smooth projective surface.

[F6]

The Axiom of Choice enters through the cohomology and Euler-characteristic suppliers of [F2] and the curve-degree supplier of [F4]; no selection is made below.

Verification

Given: a field k, the plane X=Pk2, integers d,e, and nonzero forms f,g of degrees d,e≥1 with zero schemes C,D.

1.1F2

The Euler characteristic of twists. By [F2] only the degrees q=0 and q=2 contribute to χ(X,O(m))=∑q(−1)qdim⁡kHq(X,O(m)); for m≥0 one gets (m+22), for −2≤m≤−1 all groups vanish and hence χ=0, and for m≤−3 the term (−1)2(−m−12) equals (m+22) by the identity (−m−12)=(m+22) for those m. In all cases χ(X,O(m))=(m+22).

1.2F1F3

Forms cut out effective divisors. The forms f and g are nonzero global sections of the invertible sheaves O(d) and O(e); since X is integral, they are regular sections, so their zero schemes C=Z(f) and D=Z(g) are effective Cartier divisors with O(C)≅O(d) and O(D)≅O(e).

2.1F1F5step 1.1

The pairing of twists. By definition and [F1], O(d)⋅O(e)=χ(X,OX)−χ(X,O(−d))−χ(X,O(−e))+χ(X,O(−d−e)). Substituting χ(X,O(m))=(m+22) from step 1.1, this is (2)(1)2−(2−d)(1−d)2−(2−e)(1−e)2+(2−d−e)(1−d−e)2, and expanding, the numerator is [2−(d2−3d+2)]−[(e2−3e+2)−((d+e)2−3(d+e)+2)]=d(3−d)−d(3−d−2e)=2de, so O(d)⋅O(e)=de. In particular l⋅l=O(1)⋅O(1)=1.

3.1F1F5step 1.2step 2.1

The divisor computation. By the definition of the pairing, C⋅D=O(C)⋅O(D) for the effective Cartier divisors of step 1.2, and by [F1] the classes of O(C) and O(D) are those of O(d) and O(e); hence C⋅D=de by step 2.1.

4.1F4step 2.1step 3.1

Specialisations and the independent cross-check. Taking d=e=1 and f linear gives l⋅l=1; taking d=e=2 and g a nonzero quadratic form gives C⋅C=4, in particular for a smooth conic. For the line l=Z(x0) and a conic C=Z(g) of degree two, step 3.1 gives l⋅C=2, and independently the restriction-degree theorem [F4] applied to the effective divisors l and C gives l⋅C=deg⁡l(O(2)∣l)=2, since the twisting sequences of [F4] give χ(l,O(2)∣l)=χ(X,O(2))−χ(X,O(1))=6−3=3 and χ(l,Ol)=χ(X,O)−χ(X,O(−1))=1−0=1. Both computations agree, as asserted.

5.1F6step 2.1step 3.1step 4.1∎

Conclusion and choice accounting. Steps 2.1 and 3.1 give O(d)⋅O(e)=de and C⋅D=de, and step 4.1 records the line, conic and restriction-degree specialisations. The Axiom of Choice enters only through the cohomology and Euler-characteristic suppliers recorded in [F6]; the form f, the form g and the line are given data, and steps 1.1–4.1 make no selection.

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The intersection form of the blown-up projective plane

Example

Assume the Axiom of Choice, inherited through the Euler-characteristic and blowup suppliers (The Axiom of Choice). Let k be a field, X=Pk2, let p∈X(k) be a k-rational point, let π:X′=Bl⁡pX→X be the blowup (Blowup of a scheme along an ideal sheaf), let E=π−1(p) be the exceptional curve (Exceptional subscheme of a blowup) and let l:=π∗OX(1) in Pic⁡(X′) (the pullback of the hyperplane class; it is also the strict transform of any line not passing through p). Then l⋅l=1,l⋅E=0,E⋅E=−1, so the intersection form on the sublattice Zl+ZE of Pic⁡(X′) has matrix (100−1). Moreover the strict transform m:=π∗O(1)−E of a line through p (Strict transform of a closed subscheme) satisfies m=l−E, m⋅E=1 and m⋅m=0.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: a field k, the plane X=Pk2, a k-rational point p∈X(k), the blowup π:X′=Bl⁡pX→X with exceptional curve E=π−1(p), the class l=π∗OX(1), and the Axiom of Choice (The Axiom of Choice).

[F1]

The plane X is an integral regular projective surface over k; the intersection product C⋅D of Cartier divisors is defined, symmetric and bilinear, and O(d)⋅O(e)=de on X, in particular O(1)⋅O(1)=1 (Intersection numbers of Cartier divisors on a smooth projective surface, The surface intersection product is symmetric and bilinear, The intersection pairing on the projective plane, Integral schemes).

[F2]

Blowup calculus at a k-rational point: since p is k-rational its residue field is κ(p)=k and r=[κ(p):k]=1; the blowup X′ is an integral regular projective surface over k, E is an effective Cartier divisor with E≅Pk1 and OE(E)≅OPk1(−1); for all Cartier divisors D,D′ on X one has E⋅π∗D=0 and π∗D⋅π∗D′=D⋅D′; and for a reduced effective Cartier divisor C through p with multiplicity m≥1 and strict transform C′ one has π∗C=C′+mE, C′⋅E=m and C′⋅C′=C⋅C−m2 (The intersection matrix of a point blowup of a regular surface, r=1; The normal bundle of the exceptional curve is O(-1), Pullback of a Cartier divisor).

[F3]

Pullback of divisor classes: for a Cartier divisor D the total transform π∗D is the pullback Cartier divisor with OX′(π∗D)≅π∗OX(D) (Total transform of a Cartier divisor, Pullback of a Cartier divisor computes the pullback of its line bundle); hence l=[OX′(π∗L)] for any line L on X, and the total transform of a line L not through p is its strict transform because π is an isomorphism away from p. For a line L through p the multiplicity of a local equation at p is 1, so π∗L=m+E with m the strict transform (Total transform equals strict transform plus multiplicity times the exceptional divisor, Effective cartier divisor).

[F4]

The Axiom of Choice enters through the blowup, Euler-characteristic and bilinearity suppliers of [F1]–[F3]; the point, the lines and the blowup are given data and no selection is made below.

Verification

Given: a field k, the plane X=Pk2, a k-rational point p, the blowup π:X′=Bl⁡pX→X, its exceptional curve E, the class l=π∗OX(1), and a line L through p.

1.1F2

The blowup data. Since p is k-rational, r=1; the surface X′ is integral regular projective and E is an effective Cartier divisor isomorphic to Pk1 with OE(E)≅O(−1), so the intersection product is defined on X′ and E2=−r=−1; moreover E⋅π∗D=0 and π∗D⋅π∗D′=D⋅D′ for all Cartier divisors D,D′ on X.

1.2F1F2F3

l⋅l=1. Choose a line L′ on X; its class satisfies [OX(L′)]=[OX(1)], so l⋅l=π∗OX(L′)⋅π∗OX(L′)=OX(L′)⋅OX(L′)=1 by the pullback identity and the plane computation.

1.3F2F3

l⋅E=0. With D the Cartier divisor of any line on X, so that π∗D has class l, the orthogonality clause gives E⋅π∗D=0, that is, l⋅E=E⋅l=0 by symmetry.

2.1F2step 1.1

E⋅E=−1. This is the self-intersection formula of step 1.1 with r=1.

3.1F1step 1.2step 1.3step 2.1

The matrix. Steps 1.2, 1.3 and 2.1 give l⋅l=1, l⋅E=0=E⋅l and E⋅E=−1; if al+bE=0 in Pic⁡(X′), pairing with l gives a=0 and pairing with E gives −b=0. Thus these classes freely generate the stated sublattice; by bilinearity its Gram matrix of the sublattice Zl+ZE in the basis (l,E) is (100−1).

3.2F1F2F3step 1.2step 1.3step 2.1

The strict transform of a line through p. Let L be a line through p with strict transform m. The line is reduced and its multiplicity at p is 1, so π∗L=m+E and m⋅E=1 and m⋅m=L⋅L−1=0; equivalently, taking classes and using OX′(π∗L)≅π∗OX(1), the class of m is l−E, and bilinearity and steps 1.2–2.1 give m⋅E=l⋅E−E⋅E=0+1=1 and m⋅m=l⋅l−2l⋅E+E⋅E=1−0−1=0, in agreement.

4.1F4step 3.1step 3.2∎

Conclusion and choice accounting. Steps 1.2, 1.3 and 2.1 give the matrix of the intersection form on Zl+ZE, and step 3.2 gives m=l−E, m⋅E=1, m⋅m=0 for the strict transform of a line through p. The Axiom of Choice enters through the suppliers recorded in [F4]; the point, the lines and the blowup are given data and no selection is made in the computations.

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The intersection product needs Cartier or complementary-dimension hypotheses

Statement refuted

Assume the Axiom of Choice, inherited through the Euler-characteristic supplier (The Axiom of Choice). The claims refuted are:

(a) every effective prime divisor on a normal integral projective surface over a field is Cartier, so that its self-intersection is defined by the alternating-sum formula of Intersection numbers of Cartier divisors on a smooth projective surface; and

(b) for every smooth projective k-scheme X of dimension at least two and all effective Cartier divisors D,E on X, the scheme-theoretic intersection D∩E is finite and its length over k equals the alternating sum χ(X,OX)−χ(X,OX(−D))−χ(X,OX(−E))+χ(X,OX(−D−E)).

Both claims fail: the projective quadric cone carries a prime divisor that is not Cartier at its vertex, and on P3 two plane divisors meet in a line although the alternating sum is 1.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: a field k with char⁡k≠2, homogeneous coordinates x,y,z,w on Pk3, the homogeneous polynomial F=xy−z2 of degree 2, the closed subscheme X=V+(F)⊆Pk3 with its vertex v=[0:0:0:1], the closed subscheme Z=V+(x,z)∩X⊆X, the Axiom of Choice, and the Dependent Choice supplied by it (The axiom of dependent choice: a relation in which every element is related to something admits an N-indexed chain, AC implies DC implies countable choice).

[F1]

Charts and closed subschemes of projective space: for a homogeneous ideal I⊆k[x0,…,xn] the closed subscheme V+(I)⊆Pkn has V+(I)∩D+(xi)=Spec⁡(k[x0,…,xn](xi)/I(xi)) (Closed subschemes of projective space and saturated ideals); the standard charts D+(xi)=Spec⁡k[x(ℓ)] with x(ℓ)=xℓ/xi form an open cover (Relative projective space from standard charts), and Pkn≅Proj⁡k[x0,…,xn] (Projective space is Proj of a polynomial ring). In particular X is a closed subscheme of Pk3; projective morphisms in the finite-dimensional H-projective convention are proper (Projective morphisms before Proj, Projective morphisms are proper), and each affine n-space chart has dimension n by the transcendence-degree formula over any field; the dimension of projective n-space is the same, since its finite chains of irreducible closed subsets remain strict on an affine chart meeting the smallest member (Affine-domain dimension equals transcendence degree, Chain dimension and the empty-space convention).

[F2]

The polynomial algebra: S=k[x,y,z] is a Noetherian integrally closed domain (A field has only the zero ideal and itself, hence is Noetherian, Every algebra of finite type over a Noetherian ring is a Noetherian ring, Finite-variable polynomial algebras over fields are integrally closed); for a Noetherian ring its quotients and localisations are Noetherian (Every quotient and every localisation of a Noetherian ring is Noetherian); localisations of an integrally closed domain are integrally closed domains, and a Noetherian scheme is normal exactly when all of its local rings are integrally closed domains (Integral closure in an extension ring and integrally closed domains, normal noetherian ring, A domain is integrally closed if and only if its prime localisations are, equivalently if and only if its maximal localisations are).

[F3]

Cartier divisors restrict to open subschemes: a local-equation datum for a Cartier divisor restricts to any open subscheme, so a Cartier divisor D on U restricts to a Cartier divisor D∣U′ on an open U′⊆U, and on a normal Noetherian scheme the associated Weil divisor restricts, cyc⁡U′(D∣U′)=cyc⁡U(D)∣U′ (Cartier divisor, Cartier divisors on a normal Noetherian scheme give Weil divisors, Weil divisor normal noetherian scheme).

[F4]

Regular and normal local rings: a regular local ring is an integrally closed domain (regular local rings are normal); on a Noetherian scheme normality is the local condition that all local rings are integrally closed domains, and for a domain this condition is checked on localisations (normal noetherian ring, A domain is integrally closed if and only if its prime localisations are, equivalently if and only if its maximal localisations are). A field is a zero-dimensional regular Noetherian local ring, and its finite polynomial extensions and their localisations are regular by localisation and polynomial extension of regular rings; hence their local rings are integrally closed domains.

[F5]

Effective Cartier divisors from sections: on the integral scheme Pk3 a nonzero global section of an invertible sheaf is regular, so by A regular global section of an invertible sheaf glues to an effective Cartier divisor and Zero scheme of a line-bundle section its zero scheme is an effective Cartier divisor (Effective cartier divisor); the hyperplane V(x0) is the zero scheme of the nonzero section x0 of O(1), and O(V(x0))≅O(1) (Invertible sheaf of cartier divisor).

[F6]

Cohomology of twists on projective space: for X=Pkn with n>0 the groups Hq(X,O(d)) vanish unless q=0 or q=n, with H0(X,O(d))≅k[x0,…,xn]d for d≥0 and H0=0 for d<0, and Hn described by negative Laurent monomials (Cohomology of O(d) on projective space); consequently χ(Pkn,O(d))=(d+nn) for every d∈Z (Euler characteristic of a coherent sheaf).

[F7]

The Axiom of Choice and its consequence Dependent Choice are assumed (The Axiom of Choice, The axiom of dependent choice: a relation in which every element is related to something admits an N-indexed chain, AC implies DC implies countable choice); they enter through the Euler-characteristic, cohomology, normality and Cartier-to-Weil suppliers cited in [F1]–[F13], and no further selection is made below.

[F8]

Graded rings: for the total-degree grading on k[x,y,z], the relation xy−z2 is homogeneous of degree two, so the quotient R=k[x,y,z]/(xy−z2) inherits a grading R=⨁n≥0Rn with R0=k, and each Rn is spanned by the monomial classes of degree n (Nonnegatively graded rings and modules, homogeneous elements, and twists).

[F9]

Krull's principal ideal theorem: in a Noetherian commutative ring every prime ideal minimal over a principal ideal has height at most one (Krull's principal ideal theorem, The height of a prime ideal).

[F10]

Dimension and transcendence degree: a finite-type domain A over a field k satisfies dim⁡A=trdeg⁡kFrac⁡(A) (Affine-domain dimension equals transcendence degree), and transcendence degree is additive in towers of field extensions with finite degree (Transcendence degree is additive in finite towers).

[F11]

The (S2) condition: every Noetherian integrally closed domain satisfies (S2) (normal domain implies s two), and for such a domain A with fraction field K one has A=⋂ht⁡p=1Ap inside K (r one s two intersection of height one localisations).

[F12]

Orders along prime divisors: if W is a prime divisor on a normal locally Noetherian scheme with generic point ξ, then OX,ξ is a discrete valuation ring whose maximal ideal is {f:vξ(f)≥1} for its normalised valuation vξ (Discrete valuation rings); for every global meromorphic unit f the order ord⁡W(f)=vξ(fξ) is defined, and f∈OX,ξ if and only if ord⁡W(f)≥0 (Order codimension one rational function).

[F13]

Localisation and function fields: for prime ideals q⊆m the localisations satisfy (Rm)qRm=Rq, and the height-one primes of Rm correspond exactly to the height-one primes q⊆m of R (Localisation at a prime ideal: Rp=(R∖p)−1R, Prime ideals of a localization are exactly the primes disjoint from the denominator set); localising an ideal sends a generating set to a generating set (Localisation of a module at a multiplicative subset); on an integral scheme the sheaf of meromorphic functions is constant with value the function field (Sheaf total quotient rings); and every open subset of a Noetherian topological space is quasi-compact, so every open subscheme of the Noetherian scheme X is itself Noetherian (Noetherian open subsets are quasi-compact, Locally Noetherian and Noetherian schemes).

Counterexample

1.1F1

The four charts of X. By [F1] the charts of Pk3 give X∩D+(w)=Spec⁡k[x,y,z]/(xy−z2)=:Spec⁡R,X∩D+(x)=Spec⁡k[y/x,z/x,w/x]/(y/x−(z/x)2)≅Spec⁡k[Z,W], X∩D+(y)≅Spec⁡k[Z,W],X∩D+(z)=Spec⁡k[x/z,y/z,w/z]/((x/z)(y/z)−1)≅Spec⁡k[X,Y,W]/(XY−1), writing Z=z/x and so on; each chart is a nonempty affine scheme whose coordinate ring is a domain, and the point [1:1:1:1] lies on X (since 1⋅1−12=0) and in all four charts.

1.2F1

X is projective over k and proper. Since X=V+(F) is a closed subscheme of Pk3 and Pk3→Spec⁡k is projective in the H-projective convention, the structure morphism X→Spec⁡k is projective in that convention, hence proper by [F1].

1.3F1F5

The plane divisors on P3. Let k be algebraically closed and let D=V(x0) and E=V(x1) be the hyperplanes in Pk3; by [F5] both are effective Cartier divisors with O(D)≅O(E)≅O(1), and the scheme-theoretic intersection is D∩E=V(x0,x1)≅Proj⁡k[x2,x3]=Pk1, a one-dimensional scheme, hence not finite; replacing E by D leaves D∩D=D of dimension two.

1.4F2givenalgebra

The cone ring and its invariant model. Every class in R=k[x,y,z]/(xy−z2) has a representative A(x,y)+zB(x,y) with A,B∈k[x,y], because the relation z2=xy reduces every exponent of z modulo two; the substitution φ(x)=u2, φ(y)=v2, φ(z)=uv kills xy−z2 and so induces a k-algebra map φˉ:R→k[u,v]. If φˉ(A+zB)=A(u2,v2)+uvB(u2,v2) vanishes, the first summand is supported on the monomials u2iv2j and the second on the monomials u2i+1v2j+1; these supports are disjoint and monomials form a k-basis of k[u,v], so A=B=0. Hence φˉ is injective with image the subring C:=k[u2,uv,v2] generated by u2,uv,v2, and R≅C is a domain. With G={±1} acting on k[u,v] by (u,v)↦(−u,−v), a polynomial is G-invariant exactly when the coefficient of every monomial of odd total degree vanishes, since char⁡k≠2; the monomials of even total degree are precisely the products of u2, uv and v2, so C=k[u,v]G.

2.1F2F10step 1.4

R is a Noetherian normal domain of dimension two. By [F2] the quotient R of S=k[x,y,z] is Noetherian, and by step 1.4 it is a domain. Every element of Frac⁡(R)=Frac⁡(C) is a quotient of G-invariant polynomials, hence G-invariant, so Frac⁡(R)⊆k(u,v)G; conversely if f,g∈k[u,v] are nonzero and f/g is G-invariant, then σ(f)g=fσ(g) for the generator σ of G, so f/g=fσ(g)/(gσ(g)) is a quotient of G-invariant polynomials and lies in Frac⁡(C); hence Frac⁡(R)=k(u,v)G. If α∈Frac⁡(R) is integral over R, then α is integral over the integrally closed ring k[u,v]⊇R, so α∈k[u,v] (Finite-variable polynomial algebras over fields are integrally closed, [F2]); being G-invariant and polynomial, α∈k[u,v]G=C=R by step 1.4. Thus R is integrally closed, its localisations are integrally closed domains, and Spec⁡R is a normal Noetherian scheme ([F2]). Finally R is a finite-type k-domain, so dim⁡R=trdeg⁡kFrac⁡(R) by [F10]; the field k(u,v) is algebraic over Frac⁡(R)=k(u,v)G because u and v satisfy the integral equations T2−u2=0 and T2−v2=0 over it, so tower additivity [F10] gives dim⁡R=trdeg⁡kk(u,v)=2.

2.2F6

The alternating sum on P3. By [F6] applied with n=3 one has χ(Pk3,O(d))=(d+33) for every d; hence χ(O)=1, χ(O(−1))=(23)=0 and χ(O(−2))=(13)=0, so the alternating sum of statement (b) for the pair D,E of step 1.3 equals χ(O)−χ(O(−1))−χ(O(−1))+χ(O(−2))=1−0−0+0=1.

3.1F8F9step 2.1

The ruling is a prime divisor. In the grading of [F8] the maximal ideal m=(x,y,z) is the set R≥1 of positive-degree elements and P=(x,z) is homogeneous. The quotient R/P≅k[y] is a domain, so P is prime; the quotient R/(x)≅k[y,z]/(z2) has nilradical (z) because z2=0 and every element of k[y,z]/(z2) is a(y)+zb(y) with (a+zb)n=an+nan−1zb, so (z) is the unique minimal prime of R/(x) and P is the unique minimal prime of R over the principal ideal (x). By Krull's principal ideal theorem [F9] ht⁡P≤1, and ht⁡P=1 because R is a domain by step 2.1 and 0≠x∈P, so ht⁡P≥1. Hence V(P) is a prime divisor of the normal Noetherian scheme Spec⁡R of step 2.1 (Weil divisor normal noetherian scheme).

3.2F1step 1.1step 2.1

X is integral of pure dimension two. By step 1.1 the charts of X are spectra of domains, hence reduced and irreducible, and they pairwise meet in the common point [1:1:1:1]; a space covered by pairwise intersecting irreducible open subspaces is irreducible, and reducedness is local, so X is nonempty, reduced and irreducible, that is, integral (Integral schemes). The charts have dimension two — the cone chart by step 2.1, the polynomial charts by [F1] — so X has pure dimension two (Chain dimension and the empty-space convention).

3.3F2F4step 1.1step 2.1

X is normal. The local rings of the charts X∩D+(x), X∩D+(y) and X∩D+(z) of step 1.1 are localisations of polynomial rings over k, hence regular local rings, hence integrally closed domains by [F4]; the local rings of the cone chart X∩D+(w)=Spec⁡R are integrally closed domains because R is a normal domain of step 2.1. Normality of a Noetherian scheme is the local condition that all local rings are integrally closed domains, so X is normal.

3.4step 1.3step 2.2

Statement (b) fails. Take X=Pk3, D=V(x0) and E=V(x1); by step 1.3 the scheme X is a smooth projective k-scheme of dimension three and the divisors are effective Cartier, while D∩E≅Pk1 is not finite, so already the finiteness assertion of (b) is false; moreover by step 2.2 the alternating sum equals 1, whereas D∩E itself has no finite length over k, and the value does not change when E is replaced by D, although D∩D has dimension two.

4.1step 1.1step 2.1step 3.1

The vertex chart is the affine quadric cone. The open subscheme X∩D+(w) of X is isomorphic to Spec⁡R with R=k[x,y,z]/(xy−z2), the vertex v corresponds to the maximal ideal m=(x,y,z), and under this isomorphism Z∩D+(w) corresponds to V(P) with P=(x,z), the ruling of the cone. By steps 2.1 and 3.1 the ring R is a normal domain and P is a prime of height one, so V(P) is a prime divisor of the normal Noetherian scheme Spec⁡R.

4.2F1step 1.1step 3.1step 3.2

Z is a prime divisor. On the charts of step 1.1 the subscheme Z=V+(x,z)∩X is cut out by the images of x and z: in the w-chart it is V(P)⊆Spec⁡R with R/(x,z)≅k[y]; in the y-chart it is V(Z)⊆Spec⁡k[Z,W], with quotient k[W]≅k[Z,W]/(Z); in the x-chart and the z-chart it is empty, because x=0 or z=0 is incompatible with the chart. The two nonempty charts are spectra of domains, meet at the point [0:1:0:1] of Z, and have dimension one, so Z is a nonempty reduced irreducible closed subscheme of X of dimension one, i.e. an integral closed subscheme of codimension one: a prime divisor of the normal Noetherian scheme X (Weil divisor normal noetherian scheme, Integral schemes).

4.3F13step 3.1givenalgebra

The ideal PRm is not principal. Since P=Rx+Rz we have PRm=Rmx+Rmz, and mP is generated by x2,xy,xz,yz,z2, all of degree two in the grading of step 3.1; hence mP⊆R≥2 and mP∩R1=0, and mP is generated by homogeneous elements, so the degree-one component of every element of mP vanishes. If cx+dz∈mP with c,d∈R, write c=c0+c+, d=d0+d+ with c0,d0∈k=R0 and c+,d+∈m; then the degree-one component c0x+d0z of cx+dz lies in mP, hence is zero, so c0=d0=0 and c,d∈m. Now let a,b∈R and s,t∉m with (a/s)x+(b/t)z∈mRmPRm=(mP)Rm; multiplying by st and clearing denominators gives u∉m and q∈mP with u(at x+bs z)=q, so uat,ubs∈m by the previous paragraph; since u,s,t∉m and m is prime, a,b∈m, that is, a/s,b/t∈mRm. Therefore the images of x and z span PRm/mRmPRm and are linearly independent over Rm/mRm=k: this k-vector space has a basis of two elements. If PRm were a principal ideal, this space would be spanned by the image of one element and have dimension at most one; contradiction.

5.1F3F11F12F13step 3.1step 4.1step 4.3

Z is not Cartier at v. Suppose for contradiction that Z were Cartier at v: there are an open neighbourhood U⊆X of v and a Cartier divisor D0 on U whose associated Weil divisor is cyc⁡U(D0)=[Z∩U]. The chart D+(w)∩X≅Spec⁡R is an open neighbourhood of v corresponding to an open neighbourhood of m in Spec⁡R (step 4.1), so replacing U by U∩D+(w) and restricting D0 gives a Cartier divisor D on an open neighbourhood U′⊆Spec⁡R of m with cyc⁡U′(D)=[V(P)∩U′], by the restriction compatibility of [F3] and the identification of Z∩D+(w) with V(P) in step 4.1. The open subscheme U′ of Spec⁡R is integral, normal and Noetherian: it is integral as an open subscheme of an integral scheme (Integral schemes), its local rings are localisations of the integrally closed local rings of R (step 2.1), and it is Noetherian by [F13]. So the Cartier divisor D is represented on an open cover {Ui} of U′ by local equations fi∈KU′(Ui)× (Cartier divisor), and KU′ is the constant sheaf with value Frac⁡(R) by [F13]; fix an index i0 with m∈Ui0 and put f:=fi0∈Frac⁡(R)×. Every height-one prime q⊆m of R lies in Ui0: its closure V(q) in Spec⁡R contains m because q⊆m, so if q∉Ui0 then the closed set Spec⁡R∖Ui0 would contain q and hence its closure and the point m, contradicting m∈Ui0. Hence, by the coefficient formula of Cartier divisors on a normal Noetherian scheme give Weil divisors applied to the normal Noetherian scheme U′ and the local equation fi0, the coefficient of the prime divisor V(q) in cyc⁡U′(D)=[V(P)∩U′] equals vq(f) (Order codimension one rational function, [F12]); therefore vP(f)=1 and vq(f)=0 for every height-one prime q⊆m with q≠P. The local ring Rm is a Noetherian integrally closed domain by [F2] and step 2.1, hence satisfies (S2) by [F11], and its height-one primes are the primes q⊆m of height one, with (Rm)qRm=Rq by [F13]; the intersection theorem [F11] gives Rm=⋂ht⁡q=1, q⊆mRq inside Frac⁡(Rm)=Frac⁡(R). Since vq(f)≥0 for each such q, [F12] gives f∈Rq for all of them, hence f∈Rm; and vP(f)=1≥1 gives f∈PRP, so f∈PRP∩Rm=PRm (Localisation at a prime ideal: Rp=(R∖p)−1R). If g∈PRm, then vP(g)≥1=vP(f) and vq(g)≥0=vq(f) for every other height-one prime q⊆m, so vq(g/f)≥0 for all of them and [F11] gives g/f∈Rm, that is, g∈fRm; hence PRm=fRm is principal, contradicting step 4.3. Therefore no such D0 exists: the prime divisor Z is not Cartier at v, OX(Z) is not invertible near v, and Z⋅Z is not defined by the alternating-sum formula.

6.1step 1.2step 3.2step 3.3step 4.2step 5.1

Statement (a) fails. By steps 1.2, 3.2 and 3.3 the scheme X is a normal integral projective surface over k, and by step 4.2 it carries the effective prime divisor Z; by step 5.1 the divisor Z is not Cartier at v. Therefore the claim that every effective prime divisor on a normal integral projective surface is Cartier is false, and the self-intersection Z⋅Z is not defined by the formula of Intersection numbers of Cartier divisors on a smooth projective surface.

7.1F7step 6.1step 3.4step 5.1∎

Conclusion and choice accounting. Steps 6.1 and 3.4 exhibit the two failures: the quadric-cone ruling is an effective prime divisor on a normal integral projective surface that is not Cartier at the vertex, and on P3 the scheme-theoretic intersection of two planes is a line while the alternating sum is 1. The Axiom of Choice enters through the suppliers of [F1]–[F13], whose combined content includes the Euler-characteristic construction, the cohomology of twists and the Cartier-to-Weil construction; the latter uses Dependent Choice, which the standing Axiom of Choice supplies by [F7]. No selection is made in the computations of steps 1.1–2.1, which use explicit polynomials and explicit points.

Sources