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TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedPipeline-generatedjudge pass (gpt-5.6-terra)audited 2026-09-09
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Classical affine morphisms are contravariantly equivalent to coordinate-ring homomorphisms

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice, inherited from the Nullstellensatz route. For affine algebraic sets X,Y, pullback gives a natural bijection Mor⁡k(X,Y)≅Hom⁡k-alg(k[Y],k[X]). It reverses composition and preserves identities. Restricted to nonempty irreducible sets, this is an antiequivalence with nonzero finite-type domain k-algebras: every such domain is a coordinate ring. Empty algebraic sets and zero unital algebras are allowed in the displayed bijection.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: AC, an algebraically closed field k, affine algebraic sets X,Y, and, for the object realization, a nonzero finite-type domain k-algebra B.

[F1]

Global regular functions identify with coordinate rings (Global regular functions on a classical affine variety are its coordinate ring).

[F2]

A morphism is defined by pullback of global regular functions (A morphism from an open subset of a classical affine variety to an affine variety).

[F3]

Coordinate-ring elements are polynomial functions (Polynomial functions on an affine algebraic set are its coordinate ring).

[F4]

A homomorphism is uniquely determined by its values on coefficients and variables (Universal property of R[x]: a coefficient homomorphism and the image of x determine a unique ring homomorphism).

[F5]
[F6]

A prime presentation ideal defines a nonempty irreducible set with exactly that vanishing ideal (Classical affine algebraic sets correspond to radical ideals, and irreducible sets to prime ideals).

[F7]

Finite-type algebras admit finite polynomial presentations (Subalgebra generated by a subset, algebras of finite type, and module-finite algebras).

[F8]

Affine-target morphisms pull back locally regular functions on arbitrary opens (A classical morphism pulls Zariski closed sets back to closed sets).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1F1F2givenalgebra

If ϕ:X→Y is a morphism, F1 and F2 identify s↦s∘ϕ as a map k[Y]→k[X]. Pointwise addition, multiplication and constants show it is a unital k-algebra homomorphism.

1.2F3F4F5F6givenalgebra

Conversely let α:k[Y]→k[X] be a unital k-algebra map, with Y⊆km and coordinate classes yj. Define ϕ(x)=(α(y1)(x),…,α(ym)(x)). If P∈I(Y) then polynomial evaluation and the homomorphism laws give P(ϕ(x))=α(P(y1,…,ym))(x)=0. Hence ϕ(x)∈V(I(Y))=Y.

2.1F1F2F3step 1.2

Every global regular function of Y is a polynomial in the yj by F1 and F3. Substitution in step 1.2 gives s∘ϕ=α(s), a polynomial and hence regular function on X. Thus ϕ is a morphism and its pullback is α. If one starts with ϕ, its pulled-back coordinate values reconstruct exactly ϕ(x), so the constructions are inverses.

3.1F8step 1.1step 2.1algebra

For composable morphisms, s∘(ψ∘ϕ)=(s∘ψ)∘ϕ, so (ψ∘ϕ)∗=ϕ∗∘ψ∗; F8 ensures the composites are morphisms, and the identity pulls each function to itself. This also gives naturality of the bijection. If X is empty there is one map to any Y and one unital homomorphism to k[X]=0. If Y is empty and X nonempty there is neither a set map nor a unital map 0→k[X], since 0=1 would force k[X]=0. Both empty gives one on each side.

4.1F6F7step 2.1step 3.1∎

Let B be a nonzero finite-type domain. By F7 choose a surjection k[T1,…,Tr]→B with kernel P. It is proper since B≠0, and uv∈P forces one image to be zero since B is a domain; thus P is prime. F6 gives a variety V(P) with I(V(P))=P. Its coordinate ring is the presentation quotient B. Together with the bijection and composition law this proves the stated antiequivalence on domains.

Sources

Source comparison: Milne, Algebraic Geometry, v6.10, Propositions 3.24–3.26, pp. 66–67. Conventions here distinguish arbitrary affine algebraic sets from nonempty irreducible varieties.

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Sources