All Questions
Tagged with or ra.rings-and-algebras ra.rings-and-algebras
367 questions
42
votes
6
answers
7k
views
An algebra of "integrals"
When discussing divergent integrals with people, I got curious about the following:
Is there an $\mathbb{R}$-algebra $A$ together with a map (could be defined on just a subspace)
$$\int_0^{\infty}: ...
- 3,806
87
votes
5
answers
10k
views
When is $A$ isomorphic to $A^3$?
This is totally elementary, but I have no idea how to solve it: let $A$ be an abelian group such that $A$ is isomorphic to $A^3$. is then $A$ isomorphic to $A^2$? probably no, but how construct a ...
- 63.1k
28
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Codimension of the range of certain linear operators
Added:8/15/2024 What about holomorphic or real analytic version? Please see the comment discussions on this post.
Assume that $P(x,y), Q(x,y) \in \mathbb{R}[x,y]$ are two polynomials. We ...
- 356
94
votes
2
answers
7k
views
$A$ is isomorphic to $A \oplus \mathbb{Z}^2$, but not to $A \oplus \mathbb{Z}$
Are there abelian groups $A$ with $A \cong A \oplus \mathbb{Z}^2$ and $A \not\cong A \oplus \mathbb{Z}$?
- 63.1k
123
votes
18
answers
14k
views
How do you decide whether a question in abstract algebra is worth studying?
Dear MO-community, I am not sure how mature my view on this is and I might say some things that are controversial. I welcome contradicting views. In any case, I find it important to clarify this in my ...
64
votes
4
answers
8k
views
What is the current status of the Kaplansky zero-divisor conjecture for group rings?
Let $K$ be a field and $G$ a group. The so called zero-divisor conjecture for group rings asserts that the group ring $K[G]$ is a domain if and only if $G$ is a torsion-free group.
A couple of good ...
- 1,065
36
votes
1
answer
3k
views
Whence “homomorphism” and “homomorphic”?
Today homomorphism (resp. isomorphism) means what Jordan (1870) had called isomorphism (resp. holoedric isomorphism). How did the switch happen?
“Homomorphic” (and “homomorphism” as “property of being ...
- 31.5k
25
votes
6
answers
7k
views
prime ideals in C([0,1])
It is clear that each maximal ideal in ring of continuous functions over $[0,1]\subset \mathbb R$ corresponds to a point and vice-versa.
So, for each ideal $I$ define $Z(I) =\{x\in [0,1]\,|\,f(x)=0, ...
- 5,053
5
votes
1
answer
243
views
Terminology for a monoid $H$ s.t. $xy \in H^\times$ only if $x, y \in H^\times$
The title has it all. Is there any consolidated terminology for referring to a (multiplicative) monoid $H$ such that $xy \in H^\times$ (if and) only if $x, y \in H^\times$? Here is a short list of ...
- 10.5k
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are there infinitely many L-rigs?
$\DeclareMathOperator{\Q}{\mathbb{Q}}$Call "L-rig" any class $\mathcal{L}$ of L-functions of automorphic representations of $\operatorname{GL}_{n}(\mathbb{A}_{\Q})$ for some $n$ belonging to ...
- 6,976
95
votes
11
answers
6k
views
Can a non-surjective polynomial map from an infinite field to itself miss only finitely many points?
Is there an infinite field $k$ together with a polynomial $f \in k[x]$ such that the associated map $f \colon k \to k$ is not surjective but misses only finitely many elements in $k$ (i.e. only ...
- 2,600
39
votes
5
answers
5k
views
When does a ring surjection imply a surjection of the group of units?
The following might be a very trivial question. If so, I don't mind it being closed, but would appreciate a reference where I could read about it.
Let $R$ and $S$ be commutative rings and let $R^\...
- 33.3k
16
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are there non-reflexive modules isomorphic to their bi-dual?
Let $M$ be an $R$-module. We say that $M$ is reflexive if the natural map $M\rightarrow M^{**}$ is an isomorphism.
I'd like to know if there exists a module isomorphic to its bi-dual but not ...
- 279
14
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Finite dimensional real division algebras
A celebrated theorem of Milnor and Kervaire asserts that any finite dimensional (not necessarily associative, unital) division algebra over the real numbers has dimension 1,2,4 or 8. This result is ...
- 2,550
7
votes
1
answer
566
views
Is there an integral fusion ring which is not of Frobenius type?
Combinatorially, a fusion ring $\mathcal{F}$ is nothing but a finite set $B=\{b_1, \dots, b_r\}$ (generating the $\mathbb{Z}$-module $\mathbb{Z} B$) together with fusion rules: $$ b_i \cdot b_j = \...
2
votes
1
answer
211
views
Terminology for a monoid $(H, \cdot)$ s.t. $ax=a$ or $xa =a$ only if $x$ is a unit
Let $(H, \cdot)$ be a (multiplicative) monoid. Is there any consolidated name for the following Property $\text{(P)}$, or for the class of monoids for which it is satisfied?
$$\text{(P) If }\,xy = x\...
- 10.5k
33
votes
2
answers
7k
views
Dimension of infinite product of vector spaces
This question is motivated by the question link text, which compares the infinite direct sum and the infinite direct product of a ring.
It is well-known that an infinite dimensional vector space is ...
- 20.8k
31
votes
6
answers
2k
views
Bass' stable range of $\mathbf Z[X]$
Let $n$ be a positive integer and $A$ be a commutative ring. The ring $A$ is said to be of Bass stable range $\mathrm{sr}(A)\leq n$ if for $a, a_1, \dots, a_n \in A$ one has the following implication:
...
- 2,521
28
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Does GL_n(Z) have a noetherian group ring?
Has the (left, right, 2-sided) noetherian property of the integral group ring of arithmetic groups like $GL_n(Z)$ been considered in the literature?
Motivation: a recent trend has been to study "...
- 10.7k
26
votes
7
answers
5k
views
Commutative subalgebras of M_n
For a given $n$, is there any characterization for the commutative subalgebras of $M_n(\Bbb{C})$? I would like to know how many commutative subalgebras there are for each possible dimension.
In view ...
- 397
18
votes
3
answers
3k
views
Finite non-commutative ring with few invertible (unit) elements
for a ring $R$ with unity , let $U(R)$ denote the group of units of $R$ . Now there are lots of finite commutative rings, of arbitrarily high order, with exactly one unit ; indeed $U(R)=1$ for a ...
user111524
17
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Characterising categories of vector spaces
Consider the category $FdVect_k$ of finite dimensional $k$-vector spaces, for some given field. It is abelian, semisimple, in that each object is a finite sum of simple objects (of which there is only ...
- 35.4k
13
votes
1
answer
5k
views
What are tame and wild hereditary algebras?
What are tame and wild hereditary algebras?
Are they related to hereditary rings? (Those are rings for which every left (resp. right) ideal is projective, equivalently, for which every left (resp. ...
- 2,992
13
votes
3
answers
678
views
IBN for algebraic theories
Let us say that a finitary algebraic theory $\tau$ has IBN (invariant basis number) if the free functor $F : \mathsf{Set} \to \mathsf{Mod}(\tau)$ reflects the isomorphism relation: If $S,T$ are sets ...
- 63.1k
12
votes
1
answer
922
views
Does this algebra have finite global dimension ? (Human vs computer)
Usually computers can calculate the global dimension of a finite dimensional quiver algebra much faster than humans. But in this case a high end computer (calculating for 3 weeks) was not able to ...
- 26.5k
12
votes
5
answers
5k
views
reduced ⊗ reduced = reduced; what about connected?
Several questions actually.
All rings and algebras are supposed to be commutative and with $1$ here.
(1) Let $k$ be a field, and let $A$ and $B$ be two $k$-algebras. I need a proof that if $A$ and $...
- 33.8k
10
votes
3
answers
1k
views
About the classification of commutative and of cocommutative, fin. dim. Hopf algebras
I want to prove that the cocommutative finite dimensional Hopf algebras over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero are group algebras (for some finite group) and that the commutative f....
- 7,746
10
votes
0
answers
446
views
In search of lost graded rings
$\newcommand{\la}[1]{\kern-1.5ex\leftarrow\phantom{}\kern-1.5ex}\newcommand{\ra}[1]{\kern-1.5ex\xrightarrow{\ \ #1\ \ }\phantom{}\kern-1.5ex}\newcommand{\ras}[1]{\kern-1.5ex\xrightarrow{\ \ \smash{#1}\...
- 11.8k
7
votes
0
answers
268
views
Generalising supercommutativity as a grading by the $1$-truncated sphere spectrum
A discussion that has been going recently is that supersymmetry corresponds to grading over the sphere spectrum, coming from an insight due to Kapranov.
To formalise such a statement, one needs a ...
- 11.8k
6
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Solid rings and Tor
A solid ring is a ring $R$ such that the multiplication
$R\otimes_{\mathbb{Z}} R \to R$ is an isomorphism.
These were classified by Bousfield and Kan; they are
subrings of $\mathbb{Q}$,
$\mathbb{Z}/...
- 12.5k
6
votes
1
answer
231
views
Does Manin's construction of non-commutative endomorphism algebra $\mathrm{End}(A)$ produce Koszul algebra, if $A$ is Koszul?
$\newcommand{\dual}{\mathrm{dual}}\DeclareMathOperator\End{End}\DeclareMathOperator\Fun{Fun}\DeclareMathOperator\Spec{Spec}\DeclareMathOperator\GL{GL}$Around 1986–7 Yu.Manin proposed natural and ...
- 24.8k
4
votes
0
answers
762
views
Rewrite sum of radicals equation as polynomial equation
My question is about a method described in [Dr.Math forum][1] for simplifying equations involving sums of radical functions.
(The following is a transcription of the example given by Dr. Vogler):
--- ...
- 153
0
votes
2
answers
357
views
Rank of a $ \mathbb{Z}_{p}[[T]] $ module
Let $p$ be a prime and $M$ is a finitely generated $ \mathbb{Z}_{p}[[T]] $ module. Suppose $M[p]$ denotes the $p$-torsion of $M$. Then $M[p]$ and $M/(p)$ are both $ F_{p}$ vector spaces. So we can ...
- 1,209
114
votes
2
answers
12k
views
How would you solve this tantalizing Halmos problem?
$1-ab$ invertible $\implies$ $1-ba$ invertible has a slick power series "proof" as below, where Halmos asks for an explanation of why this tantalizing derivation succeeds. Do you know one?
Geometric ...
- 4,736
74
votes
1
answer
6k
views
$R$ is isomorphic to $R[X,Y]$, but not to $R[X]$
Is there a commutative ring $R$ with $R \cong R[X,Y]$ and $R \not\cong R[X]$?
This is a ring-theoretic analog of my previous question about abelian groups: In fact, in any algebraic category we may ...
- 63.1k
62
votes
25
answers
70k
views
Linear Algebra Texts?
Can anyone suggest a relatively gentle linear algebra text that integrates vector spaces and matrix algebra right from the start? I've found in the past that students react in very negative ways to ...
53
votes
7
answers
14k
views
Good lattice theory books?
A recent answer motivated me to post about this. I've always had a vague, unpleasant feeling that somehow lattice theory has been completely robbed of the important place it deserves in mathematics - ...
47
votes
9
answers
11k
views
What are the reasons for considering rings without identity?
I think a major reason is because Lie algebras don't have an identity, but I'm not really sure.
40
votes
9
answers
10k
views
Simplest examples of rings that are not isomorphic to their opposites
What are the simplest examples of
rings that are not isomorphic to their
opposite rings? Is there a science to constructing them?
The only simple example known to me:
In Jacobson's Basic Algebra (...
- 5,654
36
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Are large powers of polynomials linearly independent?
Let $P_1,\dots,P_k$ be polynomials over $\mathbf{C}$, no two of them being proportional.
Does there exist an integer $N$ such that $P_1^N,\dots,P_k^N$ are linearly independent?
- 4,653
34
votes
8
answers
4k
views
Uncountable counterexamples in algebra
In functional analysis, there are many examples of things that "go wrong" in the nonseparable setting. For instance, my favorite version of the spectral theorem only works for operators on a ...
34
votes
1
answer
5k
views
Freyd-Mitchell's embedding theorem
Freyd–Mitchell's embedding theorem states that: if $A$ is a small abelian category, then there exists a ring R and a full, faithful and exact functor $F\colon A \to R\text{-}\mathrm{Mod}$.
I have been ...
- 3,004
25
votes
8
answers
6k
views
What is the "right" definition of a ring?
This is somewhat related to Greg's question about groups and abelian groups. Suppose you met someone who was well-acquainted with groups, but who was unwilling to accept rings as a meaningful object ...
- 118k
21
votes
4
answers
5k
views
The number of ideals in a ring
Here is a question that I first asked in math.stackexchange, but I think the question must be proposed here.
Let $R$ be a finite commutative ring with identity. Under what conditions the number of ...
- 1,881
20
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can a module be an extension in two really different ways?
(Edit: I've realized that there was an error in my reasoning when I was convincing myself that these two formulations are equivalent. Hailong has given a beautiful affirmative answer to my first ...
20
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Relationship between the cohomology of a group and the cohomology of its associated Lie algebra
Let $G$ be a group and let $k$ be a field (characteristic 0 if you want). Let $L$ be the graded Lie ring associated to the lower central series of $G$, that is, $L$, as a graded abelian group is $\...
- 373
19
votes
4
answers
2k
views
What is the geometric object corresponding to a subalgebra in a polynomial ring
Many introductory texts on algebraic geometry set up some sort of algebra-geometry dictionary in which radical ideals correspond to varieties, and so on. I am wondering if there is a geometric way to ...
- 1,961
18
votes
4
answers
2k
views
For which rings $R$ is $\mathrm{SL}_n(R)$ generated by transvections?
Let $R$ be a commutative ring $R$ with $1$, and $n \geq 2$ an integer.
Under which conditions is the group $\operatorname{SL}_n(R)$ generated by transvections?
(A transvection is a matrix with $1$ ...
- 6,614
18
votes
3
answers
701
views
Existence of a ring with specified residue fields
Given a finite set of fields $k_1, \ldots, k_n$, is there a (commutative with $1$) ring $R$ with (maximal) ideals $m_i$ such that $R/m_i \cong k_i$?
To prevent things from being too easy, I require ...
- 706
17
votes
3
answers
905
views
Existence of translation-invariant basis on $C_c(\mathbb R)$
Consider the space $C_c(\mathbb R)$ of complex-valued continuous functions of compact support. This is a vector space over $\mathbb C$, and I am not considering any topology, so the question is ...
- 2,071