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CorollaryStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-09-05
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In a finite-type algebra over a field, closed points are dense in every closed subset of the spectrum

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice.

Let k be a field, let A be a finite-type k-algebra, and let Z⊆Spec⁡(A) be closed. Then every nonempty open subset of Z contains a closed point of Spec⁡(A). Equivalently, the closed points are dense in every closed subset of Spec⁡(A).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A field k, a finite-type k-algebra A, a closed subset Z⊆Spec⁡(A), and the Axiom of Choice.

[L1]

Every closed subset of Spec⁡(A) has a unique radical defining ideal (Every Zariski-closed subset has a unique radical defining ideal).

[L2]

Every point of an open subset has a distinguished-open neighbourhood inside that open subset (Every point of a Zariski-open set has a distinguished-open neighbourhood inside it).

[L3]

Closed points of a prime spectrum are exactly maximal ideals (The closed points of the prime spectrum are exactly the maximal ideals).

[L4]

In a finite-type algebra over a field, every radical ideal is the intersection of the maximal ideals containing it (In a finite-type algebra over a field, radical ideals are intersections of maximal ideals).

[A1]

A quotient of a finite-type k-algebra is again a finite-type k-algebra.

Proof

technique · direct
1.1L1L2givenchoose

If U⊆Z is a nonempty open subset, choose p∈U. By [L2], there exists f∈A such that p∈D(f)∩Z⊆U. By [L1], write Z=V(I) for a radical ideal I. In the quotient B=A/I, the class f‾ is not nilpotent, because otherwise every prime of B would contain f‾, contradicting p∈D(f)∩Z.

2.1L3L4A1step 1.1choose

The quotient B=A/I is a finite-type k-algebra by [A1]. Apply [L4] in B to the radical ideal (0). Since f‾ is not in the intersection of all maximal ideals of B, there exists a maximal ideal n⊆B with f‾∉n. Let m⊆A be the preimage of n. Then I⊆m and f∉m, so m∈D(f)∩Z⊆U. By [L3], m is a closed point of Spec⁡(A).

3.1step 2.1∎

Step 2.1 shows that every nonempty open subset of Z contains a closed point. This is exactly the density of the closed points inside Z.

Depends on

Used by

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