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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 algebraic sets correspond to radical ideals, and irreducible sets to prime ideals

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice, inherited from the Nullstellensatz route. For every ideal JR=k[x1,,xn], I(V(J))=J. Together with V(I(X))=X for algebraic X, these are inverse inclusion-reversing bijections between radical ideals and algebraic sets. Nonempty irreducible algebraic sets correspond precisely to proper prime ideals, and points to maximal ideals. The empty set corresponds to R. For A=R/I(X) the same correspondence identifies radical ideals of A with closed subsets of X; in particular IX(VX(H))=H.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: An algebraically closed field k, AC, an ideal JR=k[x1,,xn], and an affine algebraic set Xkn. In the relative assertion let H be an ideal of R/I(X).

[F1]

Under AC and algebraic closure, I(V(J))=J (Strong Nullstellensatz: I(V(I)) equals the radical of I).

[F2]

The zero-locus/ideal connection reverses inclusion and closes algebraic sets (Zero loci and vanishing ideals form a Galois connection).

[F3]

Zero loci are closed under finite unions (Classical affine zero loci form the Zariski closed sets).

[F4]

Prime ideals are proper and satisfy the product test (Prime ideals and maximal ideals in a commutative ring).

[F5]

Every maximal ideal has a unique coordinate point (Over an algebraically closed field, every maximal ideal is an evaluation ideal).

[F6]

Ideals of a quotient correspond to ideals containing its kernel (Correspondence theorem: ideals of R/I correspond to ideals of R containing I).

[F7]

Taking radicals commutes with quotient correspondence (Radicals and quotient correspondence).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1

The ring is a finite-variable polynomial ring over algebraically closed k, so the strong Nullstellensatz applies with the assumed AC and gives I(V(J))=J. The other composite is the identity on closed sets by F2. For radical J the first composite is also the identity, proving the stated inverse bijections and their inclusion reversal.

F1F2given
1.2

If X is nonempty irreducible and fgI(X), then X=(XV(f))(XV(g)). Irreducibility forces one of these closed sets to be X, hence fI(X) or gI(X). Also 1I(X) because X has a point. Thus I(X) is prime.

F3F4given
2.1

Conversely suppose P=I(X) is prime. Then X is nonempty, since I()=R. If X=CD with C,D proper closed subsets, choose fI(C)I(X) and gI(D)I(X); these exist by the injective reversing correspondence in step 1.1. The product vanishes on CD=X, contradicting primality. Thus X is irreducible. For any prime P, the elementary implication frPfP makes P radical, so step 1.1 realizes it by such an X.

F4step 1.1step 1.2algebra
2.2

For a point a, evaluation onto k has kernel I({a}). A proper ideal strictly containing this kernel would contain an f with f(a)0; subtracting ff(a) in the kernel puts a nonzero constant in that ideal, hence 1. Thus the kernel is maximal. Conversely F5 writes each maximal ideal as (xiai)i, whose locus is exactly {a}. The unit ideal has empty locus, and the empty set has vanishing ideal R.

F5step 1.1algebra
3.1

Let π:RA be the quotient and HA. Its inverse image contains I(X), so its zero locus lies in X and equals VX(H). Polynomial vanishing upstairs gives I(VX(H))=π1H. Passing to the quotient using F6 and F7 yields IX(VX(H))=H. This also proves the relative closed-set correspondence.

F1F6F7step 1.1

Sources

Source comparison: Milne, Algebraic Geometry, v6.10, 2.13–2.17, 2.20, 2.27–2.28 and §2i, pp. 41–49. Conventions here distinguish arbitrary affine algebraic sets from nonempty irreducible varieties.

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Sources