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TheoremStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedprecheck passaudited 2026-09-01
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For a flat module, faithful flatness is equivalent to detecting nonzero modules and residue fields

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice for the maximal-ideal detection step.

Let R be a commutative ring and let M be a flat R-module. The following are equivalent:

  1. M is faithfully flat.
  2. For every nonzero R-module N, one has N⊗RM≠0.
  3. For every prime ideal p⊂R, κ(p)⊗RM≠0.
  4. For every maximal ideal m⊂R, R/m⊗RM=M/mM≠0.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: A commutative ring R and a flat R-module M.

[L1]

Faithful flatness means that tensoring with M reflects exactness (Flat and faithfully flat modules and ring homomorphisms).

[L2]

Flatness preserves injections, hence tensoring a monomorphism with M remains injective (Flatness is equivalent to preserving injections and to the ideal and finitely generated ideal tests).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1L1given

If M is faithfully flat and N≠0, then the map 0→N is nonzero. If N⊗RM were zero, tensoring would turn the nonzero map 0→N into the zero map, contradicting exactness reflection in [L1]. Thus 1 implies 2.

1.2given

Condition 2 implies 3 by taking N=κ(p), and 3 implies 4 by restricting to maximal primes.

1.3L2givenchoose

Assume 4. Let N≠0 and choose 0≠x∈N. The cyclic submodule Rx≅R/Ann⁡(x) injects into N. Choose a maximal ideal m containing Ann⁡(x). Then there is a surjection R/Ann⁡(x)↠R/m. Tensoring with M preserves the injection by [L2], and the target tensor is nonzero by 4. Hence N⊗RM≠0. So 4 implies 2.

1.4L1algebra

Assume 2 and let N1→N2→N3 be a complex whose tensor with M is exact. Since M is flat, it is enough to prove exactness at N2. If x∈ker⁡(N2→N3) is not in the image of N1→N2, then it defines a nonzero element of the quotient Q:=ker⁡(N2→N3)/im⁡(N1→N2). But tensoring with M kills Q, because the tensor complex is exact. This contradicts 2. Hence Q=0, and the original complex is exact. Therefore M is faithfully flat.

2.1algebra∎

The four conditions are equivalent.

Depends on

Used by

Dependency tree · two levels

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Sources