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LemmaStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedPipeline-generatedprecheck passverified 2026-09-23 (gpt-6-sol)
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serre r zero s one characterises reducedness

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice.

For a finite module M over a commutative Noetherian ring, (S1) is equivalent to every associated prime being minimal in Supp⁡M. For the ring itself, this means no embedded associated primes. A commutative Noetherian ring is reduced if and only if it satisfies (R0) and (S1).

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The objects and hypotheses in the statement, including the Axiom of Choice (The Axiom of Choice); cited dependent-choice and resolution-existence hypotheses are retained.

[F1]

serre r k and s k conditions: For a commutative Noetherian ring R and an integer j≥0, condition (Rj) means that Rp is regular whenever ht⁡p≤j. Condition (Sj) means that depth⁡Rp≥min⁡{j,dim⁡Rp} for every prime p. A finite module M satisfies (Sj) if depth⁡RpMp≥min⁡{j,dim⁡Supp⁡RpMp} for every prime in its support. Outside the support the condition is vacuous, consistent with depth of the zero module being +∞ and the empty support having no nonnegative dimension. Thus the zero module satisfies all (Sj) conditions, and the zero ring satisfies both families vacuously.

[F2]

The local depth-zero associated-prime criterion: Let (R,m) be a Noetherian local ring and let M≠0 be a finite R-module. Then depth⁡(M)=0⟺m∈Ass⁡R(M).

[F3]

Zero divisors on a module over a Noetherian ring are the union of its associated primes: Under Dependent Choice, the zero divisors on a module over a Noetherian ring are ⋃p∈Ass⁡R(M)p. Under the additional Axiom of Choice, this is a finite union for a finitely generated module. Both premises are supplied here.

[F4]

A nonzero module over a Noetherian ring has an associated prime: Under Dependent Choice, if R is a Noetherian commutative ring and M a nonzero left R-module, then Ass⁡R(M) is nonempty.

[F5]

A Noetherian ring has finitely many minimal prime ideals: Let R be a Noetherian commutative ring. Then R has only finitely many minimal prime ideals. This theorem inherits only the dependent-choice cost already recorded in the cited Noetherian-induction corollary.

[F6]

A radical ideal in a Noetherian ring is the intersection of its minimal primes: Assume Dependent Choice. Let R be a Noetherian commutative ring and let I⊴R be a radical ideal. Then there exist finitely many prime ideals p1,…,pm minimal over I such that I=p1∩⋯∩pm. When I=R, this is the empty intersection.

[F7]

Associated primes commute with localization for finite modules: Let R be a Noetherian commutative ring, let M be a finitely generated left R-module, and let S⊆R be multiplicative. Then Ass⁡S−1R(S−1M)={S−1p:p∈Ass⁡R(M), p∩S=∅}.

[F8]

An ideal contained in a finite union of prime ideals lies in one of them: Let R be a commutative ring, let I⊴R be an ideal, and let p1,…,pn be prime ideals with n≥1. If I⊆p1∪⋯∪pn, then I⊆pi for some i.

[F9]

Minimal support primes of a finite module are associated: Let R be a Noetherian commutative ring and let M be a finitely generated left R-module. If p is minimal in Supp⁡R(M), then p∈Ass⁡R(M).

Proof

1.1F7F2F1F9

At a prime in the support, depth zero is equivalent to that prime being associated, by localization of associated primes and the local depth-zero criterion. Such an associated prime violates (S1) exactly when the localized support has positive dimension, namely when there is a strictly smaller support prime. Thus (S1) is equivalent to all associated primes being minimal in support. Minimal support primes are associated as well. For M=0 both conditions are vacuous.

2.1F5F6F3F8step 1.1

If R is reduced, its minimal primes p1,…,ps are finite and have intersection zero. An element outside their union is a nonzerodivisor, since its product with b being zero forces b into every pi. Conversely, for a∈pi, choose b∈⋂j≠ipj∖pi by taking a product of elements of pj∖pi. Then b≠0 and ab=0. Thus zero divisors are exactly this finite union. An associated prime is contained in that union and hence in one minimal prime by prime avoidance; it must equal it. This proves (S1).

3.1F4F1step 1.1step 2.1∎

At a minimal prime, localization of a reduced ring is reduced and has only one prime ideal. Its nilradical, the intersection of its primes, is therefore that maximal ideal and is zero. It is a field, so (R0) holds. Conversely suppose (R0) and (S1) hold. If the nilradical N were nonzero, choose an associated prime of N; its annihilator witness in N⊂R makes it associated to R, hence minimal by (S1). The witness survives there, but (R0) makes that localization a field and annihilates all nilpotents, a contradiction. Hence N=0. The zero ring satisfies the assertions vacuously.

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Sources