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Let $X$ be an irreducible variety, $p \in X$. Define $\mathcal{O}_{X,p}$ and $\mathcal{m}_{X,p}$ as usual. We have the following theorem: $\mathcal{m}_{X,p} = (\pi)$ is a principal ideal and $\bigcap _{n \geq 0 } \mathcal{m}_{X,p}^n = \{ 0 \}$.

I'm trying to understand the proof of the following: Every $f \in k(X)^\times$ can be written uniquely $f = \pi^n u$, with $n \in \mathbb Z$, $u \in \mathcal{O}_{X,p}^\times$.

The proof I have proceeds as follows: As $\bigcap \mathcal{m}_{X,p}^n = 0$, given $f \in \mathcal{O}_{X,p}$ there exists a unique $n \geq 0 $ such that $f \in \mathcal{m}_{X,p}^n \backslash \mathcal{m}_{X,p}^{n+1}$. Why is this true? I feel like it's something obvious and that I'm just being slow.

Thanks!

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    What is $O_{X,p}$ and $m_{X,p}$?2012-05-18

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Note that $\bigcap_{n=0}^\infty m_{X,p}^n=\{0\}$ implies that for any non-zero $f\in\mathcal{O}_{X,p}$, there is some $n$ for which $f\notin m_{X,p}^n$. Thus, by the well-ordering of the non-negative integers, there is a least such $n$, call it $n_0$. Note that $n_0>0$, because $f\in \mathcal{O}_{X,p}=m_{X,p}^0$. We therefore have $f\notin m_{X,p}^{n_0},\quad f\in m_{X,p}^{n_0-1}$ and thus $f\in m_{X,p}^{n_0-1}\setminus m_{X,p}^{n_0}.$ You can also think of the result that any non-zero $f\in k(X)^\times$ can be written uniquely as $f=\pi^nu$ for some $n\in\mathbb{Z}$ and $u\in\mathcal{O}_{X,p}^\times$ as just being the consequence of unique prime factorization in the DVR $\mathcal{O}_{X,p}$, there being only one irreducible element up to associates, namely $\pi$.

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    Don't worry, happens to all of us :) Glad I could help.2012-05-17