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David Roberts
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I am confused about a step in Hartshorne's proof (final part of Corollary 1.4) that an algebraic set Y$Y$ in affine n-space A^n,$\mathbb{A}^n$ having a prime ideal I(Y)$I(Y)$ in the polynomial ring over n$n$ variables A$A$. The proof goes as follows:

Let p be a prime ideal, and suppose Z(p) = Y1 union Y2. Then p = I(Y1) intersection I(Y2). Then (here is where I am confused!) p equals I(Y1) or I(Y2). Then of course Y equals Y1 or Y2, thus Y is irreducible.

Let $\mathfrak{p}$ be a prime ideal, and suppose $Z(p) = Y_1 \cup Y_2$. Then $p = I(Y_1)$ intersection $I(Y_2)$. Then (here is where I am confused!) $\mathfrak{p}$ equals $I(Y_1)$ or $I(Y_2)$. Then of course $Y$ equals $Y_1$ or $Y_2$, thus $Y$ is irreducible.

I am confused about a step in Hartshorne's proof (final part of Corollary 1.4) that an algebraic set Y in affine n-space A^n, having a prime ideal I(Y) in the polynomial ring over n variables A. The proof goes as follows:

Let p be a prime ideal, and suppose Z(p) = Y1 union Y2. Then p = I(Y1) intersection I(Y2). Then (here is where I am confused!) p equals I(Y1) or I(Y2). Then of course Y equals Y1 or Y2, thus Y is irreducible.

I am confused about a step in Hartshorne's proof (final part of Corollary 1.4) that an algebraic set $Y$ in affine n-space $\mathbb{A}^n$ having a prime ideal $I(Y)$ in the polynomial ring over $n$ variables $A$. The proof goes as follows:

Let $\mathfrak{p}$ be a prime ideal, and suppose $Z(p) = Y_1 \cup Y_2$. Then $p = I(Y_1)$ intersection $I(Y_2)$. Then (here is where I am confused!) $\mathfrak{p}$ equals $I(Y_1)$ or $I(Y_2)$. Then of course $Y$ equals $Y_1$ or $Y_2$, thus $Y$ is irreducible.

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Ben
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If an algebraic set in affine n-space has a prime ideal then it is irreducible. (Hartshorne's Algebraic Geometry, Cor. 1.4)

I am confused about a step in Hartshorne's proof (final part of Corollary 1.4) that an algebraic set Y in affine n-space A^n, having a prime ideal I(Y) in the polynomial ring over n variables A. The proof goes as follows:

Let p be a prime ideal, and suppose Z(p) = Y1 union Y2. Then p = I(Y1) intersection I(Y2). Then (here is where I am confused!) p equals I(Y1) or I(Y2). Then of course Y equals Y1 or Y2, thus Y is irreducible.