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Rees algebra

Rees algebra is a mathematics topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Rees algebra rather than just read about it. In short: In commutative algebra, the Rees algebra or Rees ring of an ideal I in a commutative ring R is defined to be R [ I t ] = ⨁ n = 0 ∞ I n t n ⊆ R [ t ] . {\displaystyle R[It]=\bigoplus _{n=0}^{\infty }I^{n}t^{n}\subseteq R[t].} The extended Rees algebra of I (which some authors refer to as the Rees algebra of I) is defined as R [ I t , t − 1 ] = ⨁ n = − ∞ ∞ I n t n ⊆ R [ t , t − 1 ] . {\displaystyle R[It,t^{-1}]=\bigop…

Key takeaways

  • Rees algebra belongs to mathematics; place it in that map before memorising details.
  • Learn the definition first, then one example that makes the definition concrete.
  • Connect Rees algebra to a quantity you can measure, compute or draw — that is where exam questions come from.
  • Reproduce the core statement of Rees algebra from memory before moving on to harder problems.

Reference excerpt

In commutative algebra, the Rees algebra or Rees ring of an ideal I in a commutative ring R is defined to be R [ I t ] = ⨁ n = 0 ∞ I n t n ⊆ R [ t ] . {\displaystyle R[It]=\bigoplus _{n=0}^{\infty }I^{n}t^{n}\subseteq R[t].}

The extended Rees algebra of I (which some authors refer to as the Rees algebra of I) is defined as R [ I t , t − 1 ] = ⨁ n = − ∞ ∞ I n t n ⊆ R [ t , t − 1 ] . {\displaystyle R[It,t^{-1}]=\bigoplus _{n=-\infty }^{\infty }I^{n}t^{n}\subseteq R[t,t^{-1}].} This construction has special interest in algebraic geometry since the projective scheme defined by the Rees algebra of an ideal in a ring is the blowing-up of the spectrum of the ring along the subscheme defined by the ideal (see Ideal sheaf § Algebraic geometry).

Properties The Rees algebra is an algebra over Z [ t − 1 ] {\displaystyle \mathbb {Z} [t^{-1}]} , and it is defined so that, quotienting by t − 1 = 0 {\displaystyle t^{-1}=0} or t=λ for λ any invertible element in R, we get gr I R ← R [ I t ] → R . {\displaystyle {\text{gr}}_{I}R\ \leftarrow \ R[It]\ \to \ R.}

Thus it interpolates between R and its associated graded ring grIR.

Assume R is Noetherian; then R[It] is also Noetherian. The Krull dimension of the Rees algebra is dim ⁡ R [ I t ] = dim ⁡ R + 1 {\displaystyle \dim R[It]=\dim R+1} if I is not contained in any prime ideal P with dim ⁡ ( R / P ) = dim ⁡ R {\displaystyle \dim(R/P)=\dim R} ; otherwise dim ⁡ R [ I t ] = dim ⁡ R {\displaystyle \dim R[It]=\dim R} . The Krull dimension of the extended Rees algebra is dim ⁡ R [ I t , t − 1 ] = dim ⁡ R + 1 {\displaystyle \dim R[It,t^{-1}]=\dim R+1} . If J ⊆ I {\displaystyle J\subseteq I} are ideals in a Noetherian ring R, then the ring extension R [ J t ] ⊆ R [ I t ] {\displaystyle R[Jt]\subseteq R[It]} is integral if and only if J is a reduction of I. If I is an ideal in a Noetherian ring R, then the Rees algebra of I is the quotient of the symmetric algebra of I by its torsion submodule.

Relationship with other blow-up algebras The associated graded ring of I may be defined as gr I ⁡ ( R ) = R [ I t ] / I R [ I t ] . {\displaystyle \operatorname {gr} _{I}(R)=R[It]/IR[It].} If R is a Noetherian local ring with maximal ideal m {\displaystyle {\mathfrak {m}}} , then the special fiber ring of I is given by F I ( R ) = R [ I t ] / m R [ I t ] . {\displaystyle {\mathcal {F}}_{I}(R)=R[It]/{\mathfrak {m}}R[It].} The Krull dimension of the special fiber ring is called the analytic spread of I.

References

External links Weisstein, Eric W. "Rees Ring". MathWorld. Retrieved 2024-08-31. What Is the Rees Algebra of a Module? Geometry behind Rees algebra (deformation to the normal cone)

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Rees algebra

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Rees algebra claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In mathematics, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Rees algebra before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Rees algebra ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Rees algebra

In research
Rees algebra appears in mathematics research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry
Engineering practice reuses Rees algebra in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom
Rees algebra is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Algebraic geometry, Commutative algebra, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life
Look for Rees algebra outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.
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How to study Rees algebra in 20 minutes

  1. Read the reference excerpt below once, without taking notes.
  2. Close the page and write down what Rees algebra means in your own words.
  3. Compare your version with the excerpt and mark what you missed.
  4. Work through the three examples above with pen and paper.
  5. Explain Rees algebra out loud to somebody else — or to Teacher Smith in the lgStudy chat.

Frequently asked questions

What is Rees algebra in simple terms?

In commutative algebra, the Rees algebra or Rees ring of an ideal I in a commutative ring R is defined to be R [ I t ] = ⨁ n = 0 ∞ I n t n ⊆ R [ t ] . {\displaystyle R[It]=\bigoplus _{n=0}^{\infty }I^{n}t^{n}\subseteq R[t].} The extended Rees algebra of I (which some authors refer to as the Rees al…

Why does Rees algebra matter?

Because it connects several mathematics ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Rees algebra?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Rees algebra.

Tags

  • Algebraic geometry
  • Commutative algebra

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