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$A$ is an integral domain. For every maximal ideal $m$ in $A$, consider $A_m$ as a subring of the quotient field $K$ of $A$. Show $\bigcap A_m=A$, where the intersection is taken over all maximal ideals $m$ of $A$.

This is a homework problem. I thought I figured it out but soon I realized that my argument only works in the case that there are finitely many maximal ideals, which is much weaker.

2 Answers 2

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Since $1\in S$, we clearly have $A\subseteq \bigcap_{\mathbf{m}\in\mathcal{M}}A_\mathbf{m}.$ On the other hand, let $a\in\bigcap_{\mathbf{m}\in\mathcal{M}}A_\mathbf{m}$ and define $I$ to be the ideal such that $a\frac{x}{1}=\frac{x'}{1}$, where $x$ and $x'$ are elements of $A$. Thus, $I$ consists of those elements which are denominators of $a$. We claim that $I=A$. Suppose not, then $I$ is a proper ideal, hence it is contained in a maximal ideal, say $\mathbf{m}^*$. Then, since $a\in\bigcap_{\mathbf{m}\in\mathcal{M}}A_\mathbf{m}$, we know $a\in A_{\mathbf{m}^*}$. This implies $a$ can be written in the form $\frac{p}{q}$ with $q\notin \mathbf{m}^*$, but clearly $\frac{p}{q}\cdot\frac{q}{1}=\frac{p}{1}$, hence $q\in I$. This is a contradiction to the fact that $I$ is contained in the maximal ideal, hence $I$ must not be proper, i.e., $I=A$.

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    I'd make that definition of $I$ a bit clearer. It's not obvious that you mean all $x$ such that there exists $x'$ such that... Also, the "denominator" explanation seems to exclude $x=0$.2012-12-07
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Hint: Let $\frac{a}{b} \in \bigcap_m A_m$. Consider the ideal $I = \{r \in A: r\frac{a}{b} \in A\}$. What can you say about $I$? You need to use the fact that any proper ideal is always contained in a maximal ideal.