Steps In Commutative Algebra

Introductory account of commutative algebra, aimed at students with a background in basic algebra.

First Published in 2018. This book grew out of a course of lectures given to third year undergraduates at Oxford University and it has the modest aim of producing a rapid introduction to the subject. It is designed to be read by students who have had a first elementary course in general algebra. On the other hand, it is not intended as a substitute for the more voluminous tracts such as Zariski-Samuel or Bourbaki. We have concentrated on certain central topics, and large areas, such as field theory, are not touched. In content we cover rather more ground than Northcott and our treatment is substantially different in that, following the modern trend, we put more emphasis on modules and localization.

This book stems from lectures on commutative algebra for 4th-year university students at two French universities (Paris and Rennes). At that level, students have already followed a basic course in linear algebra and are essentially fluent with the language of vector spaces over fields. The topics introduced include arithmetic of rings, modules, especially principal ideal rings and the classification of modules over such rings, Galois theory, as well as an introduction to more advanced topics such as homological algebra, tensor products, and algebraic concepts involved in algebraic geometry. More than 300 exercises will allow the reader to deepen his understanding of the subject. The book also includes 11 historical vignettes about mathematicians who contributed to commutative algebra.

There is no shortage of books on Commutative Algebra, but the present book is different. Most books are monographs, with extensive coverage. There is one notable exception: Atiyah and Macdonald’s 1969 classic. It is a clear, concise, and efficient textbook, aimed at beginners, with a good selection of topics. So it has remained popular. However, its age and flaws do show. So there is need for an updated and improved version, which the present book aims to be.

Commutative algebra is at the crossroads of algebra, number theory and algebraic geometry. This textbook is affordable and clearly illustrated, and is intended for advanced undergraduate or beginning graduate students with some previous experience of rings and fields. Alongside standard algebraic notions such as generators of modules and the ascending chain condition, the book develops in detail the geometric view of a commutative ring as the ring of functions on a space. The starting point is the Nullstellensatz, which provides a close link between the geometry of a variety V and the algebra of its coordinate ring A=k[V]; however, many of the geometric ideas arising from varieties apply also to fairly general rings. The final chapter relates the material of the book to more advanced topics in commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. It includes an account of some famous 'pathological' examples of Akizuki and Nagata, and a brief but thought-provoking essay on the changing position of abstract algebra in today's world.

This introduction to polynomial rings, Gröbner bases and applications bridges the gap in the literature between theory and actual computation. It details numerous applications, covering fields as disparate as algebraic geometry and financial markets. To aid in a full understanding of these applications, more than 40 tutorials illustrate how the theory can be used. The book also includes many exercises, both theoretical and practical.

This book can be understood as a model for teaching commutative algebra, and takes into account modern developments such as algorithmic and computational aspects. As soon as a new concept is introduced, the authors show how the concept can be worked on using a computer. The computations are exemplified with the computer algebra system Singular, developed by the authors. Singular is a special system for polynomial computation with many features for global as well as for local commutative algebra and algebraic geometry. The book includes a CD containing Singular as well as the examples and procedures explained in the book.

This introduction to polynomial rings, Gröbner bases and applications bridges the gap in the literature between theory and actual computation. It details numerous applications, covering fields as disparate as algebraic geometry and financial markets. To aid in a full understanding of these applications, more than 40 tutorials illustrate how the theory can be used. The book also includes many exercises, both theoretical and practical.