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## Tag 00F5

### 10.28. Images of ring maps of finite presentation

In this section we prove some results on the topology of maps $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S) \to \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ induced by ring maps $R \to S$, mainly Chevalley's Theorem. In order to do this we will use the notions of constructible sets, quasi-compact sets, retrocompact sets, and so on which are defined in Topology, Section 5.12.

Lemma 10.28.1. Let $U \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ be open. The following are equivalent:

1. $U$ is retrocompact in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$,
2. $U$ is quasi-compact,
3. $U$ is a finite union of standard opens, and
4. there exists a finitely generated ideal $I \subset R$ such that $X \setminus V(I) = U$.

Proof. We have (1) $\Rightarrow$ (2) because $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is quasi-compact, see Lemma 10.16.10. We have (2) $\Rightarrow$ (3) because standard opens form a basis for the topology. Proof of (3) $\Rightarrow$ (1). Let $U = \bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)$. To show that $U$ is retrocompact in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ it suffices to show that $U \cap V$ is quasi-compact for any quasi-compact open $V$ of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$. Write $V = \bigcup_{j = 1\ldots m} D(g_j)$ which is possible by (2) $\Rightarrow$ (3). Each standard open is homeomorphic to the spectrum of a ring and hence quasi-compact, see Lemmas 10.16.6 and 10.16.10. Thus $U \cap V = (\bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)) \cap (\bigcup_{j = 1\ldots m} D(g_j)) = \bigcup_{i, j} D(f_i g_j)$ is a finite union of quasi-compact opens hence quasi-compact. To finish the proof note that (4) is equivalent to (3) by Lemma 10.16.2. $\square$

Lemma 10.28.2. Let $\varphi : R \to S$ be a ring map. The induced continuous map $f : \mathop{\rm Spec}(S) \to \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is quasi-compact. For any constructible set $E \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ the inverse image $f^{-1}(E)$ is constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$.

Proof. We first show that the inverse image of any quasi-compact open $U \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is quasi-compact. By Lemma 10.28.1 we may write $U$ as a finite open of standard opens. Thus by Lemma 10.16.4 we see that $f^{-1}(U)$ is a finite union of standard opens. Hence $f^{-1}(U)$ is quasi-compact by Lemma 10.28.1 again. The second assertion now follows from Topology, Lemma 5.15.3. $\square$

Lemma 10.28.3. Let $R$ be a ring and let $T \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ be constructible. Then there exists a ring map $R \to S$ of finite presentation such that $T$ is the image of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$ in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$.

Proof. Let $T \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ be constructible. The spectrum of a finite product of rings is the disjoint union of the spectra, see Lemma 10.20.2. Hence if $T = T_1 \cup T_2$ and the result holds for $T_1$ and $T_2$, then the result holds for $T$. In particular we may assume that $T = U \cap V^c$, where $U, V \subset \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ are retrocompact open. By Lemma 10.28.1 we may write $T = (\bigcup D(f_i)) \cap (\bigcup D(g_j))^c = \bigcup \big(D(f_i) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)\big)$. In fact we may assume that $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$ (by the argument on unions above). In this case $T$ is the image of the map $R \to (R/(g_1, \ldots, g_m))_f$, see Lemmas 10.16.6 and 10.16.7. $\square$

Lemma 10.28.4. Let $R$ be a ring. Let $f$ be an element of $R$. Let $S = R_f$. Then the image of a constructible subset of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$ is constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$.

Proof. We repeatedly use Lemma 10.28.1 without mention. Let $U, V$ be quasi-compact open in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$. We will show that the image of $U \cap V^c$ is constructible. Under the identification $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S) = D(f)$ of Lemma 10.16.6 the sets $U, V$ correspond to quasi-compact opens $U', V'$ of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$. Hence it suffices to show that $U' \cap (V')^c$ is constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ which is clear. $\square$

Lemma 10.28.5. Let $R$ be a ring. Let $I$ be a finitely generated ideal of $R$. Let $S = R/I$. Then the image of a constructible of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$ is constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$.

Proof. If $I = (f_1, \ldots, f_m)$, then we see that $V(I)$ is the complement of $\bigcup D(f_i)$, see Lemma 10.16.2. Hence it is constructible, by Lemma 10.28.1. Denote the map $R \to S$ by $f \mapsto \overline{f}$. We have to show that if $\overline{U}, \overline{V}$ are retrocompact opens of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$, then the image of $\overline{U} \cap \overline{V}^c$ in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is constructible. By Lemma 10.28.1 we may write $\overline{U} = \bigcup D(\overline{g_i})$. Setting $U = \bigcup D({g_i})$ we see $\overline{U}$ has image $U \cap V(I)$ which is constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$. Similarly the image of $\overline{V}$ equals $V \cap V(I)$ for some retrocompact open $V$ of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$. Hence the image of $\overline{U} \cap \overline{V}^c$ equals $U \cap V(I) \cap V^c$ as desired. $\square$

Lemma 10.28.6. Let $R$ be a ring. The map $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R[x]) \to \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is open, and the image of any standard open is a quasi-compact open.

Proof. It suffices to show that the image of a standard open $D(f)$, $f\in R[x]$ is quasi-compact open. The image of $D(f)$ is the image of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R[x]_f) \to \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$. Let $\mathfrak p \subset R$ be a prime ideal. Let $\overline{f}$ be the image of $f$ in $\kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]$. Recall, see Lemma 10.16.9, that $\mathfrak p$ is in the image if and only if $R[x]_f \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) = \kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]_{\overline{f}}$ is not the zero ring. This is exactly the condition that $f$ does not map to zero in $\kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]$, in other words, that some coefficient of $f$ is not in $\mathfrak p$. Hence we see: if $f = a_d x^d + \ldots a_0$, then the image of $D(f)$ is $D(a_d) \cup \ldots \cup D(a_0)$. $\square$

We prove a property of characteristic polynomials which will be used below.

Lemma 10.28.7. Let $R \to A$ be a ring homomorphism. Assume $A \cong R^{\oplus n}$ as an $R$-module. Let $f \in A$. The multiplication map $m_f: A \to A$ is $R$-linear and hence has a characteristic polynomial $P(T) = T^n + r_{n-1}T^{n-1} + \ldots + r_0 \in R[T]$. For any prime $\mathfrak{p} \in \mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$, $f$ acts nilpotently on $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak{p})$ if and only if $\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{n-1})$.

Proof. This follows quite easily once we prove that the characteristic polynomial $\bar P(T) \in \kappa(\mathfrak p)[T]$ of the multiplication map $m_{\bar f}: A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \to A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ which multiplies elements of $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ by $\bar f$, the image of $f$ viewed in $\kappa(\mathfrak p)$, is just the image of $P(T)$ in $\kappa(\mathfrak p)[T]$. Let $(a_{ij})$ be the matrix of the map $m_f$ with entries in $R$, using a basis $e_1, \ldots, e_n$ of $A$ as an $R$-module. Then, $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \cong (R \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p))^{\oplus n} = \kappa(\mathfrak p)^n$, which is an $n$-dimensional vector space over $\kappa(\mathfrak p)$ with basis $e_1 \otimes 1, \ldots, e_n \otimes 1$. The image $\bar f = f \otimes 1$, and so the multiplication map $m_{\bar f}$ has matrix $(a_{ij} \otimes 1)$. Thus, the characteristic polynomial is precisely the image of $P(T)$.

From linear algebra, we know that a linear transformation acts nilpotently on an $n$-dimensional vector space if and only if the characteristic polynomial is $T^n$ (since the characteristic polynomial divides some power of the minimal polynomial). Hence, $f$ acts nilpotently on $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ if and only if $\bar P(T) = T^n$. This occurs if and only if $r_i \in \mathfrak p$ for all $0 \leq i \leq n - 1$, that is when $\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{n - 1}).$ $\square$

Lemma 10.28.8. Let $R$ be a ring. Let $f, g \in R[x]$ be polynomials. Assume the leading coefficient of $g$ is a unit of $R$. There exists elements $r_i\in R$, $i = 1\ldots, n$ such that the image of $D(f) \cap V(g)$ in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is $\bigcup_{i = 1, \ldots, n} D(r_i)$.

Proof. Write $g = ux^d + a_{d-1}x^{d-1} + \ldots + a_0$, where $d$ is the degree of $g$, and hence $u \in R^*$. Consider the ring $A = R[x]/(g)$. It is, as an $R$-module, finite free with basis the images of $1, x, \ldots, x^{d-1}$. Consider multiplication by (the image of) $f$ on $A$. This is an $R$-module map. Hence we can let $P(T) \in R[T]$ be the characteristic polynomial of this map. Write $P(T) = T^d + r_{d-1} T^{d-1} + \ldots + r_0$. We claim that $r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1}$ have the desired property. We will use below the property of characteristic polynomials that $$\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1}) \Leftrightarrow \text{multiplication by }f\text{ is nilpotent on } A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p).$$ This was proved in Lemma 10.28.7.

Suppose $\mathfrak q\in D(f) \cap V(g)$, and let $\mathfrak p = \mathfrak q \cap R$. Then there is a nonzero map $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \to \kappa(\mathfrak q)$ which is compatible with multiplication by $f$. And $f$ acts as a unit on $\kappa(\mathfrak q)$. Thus we conclude $\mathfrak p \not \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1})$.

On the other hand, suppose that $r_i \not\in \mathfrak p$ for some prime $\mathfrak p$ of $R$ and some $0 \leq i \leq d - 1$. Then multiplication by $f$ is not nilpotent on the algebra $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$. Hence there exists a prime ideal $\overline{\mathfrak q} \subset A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ not containing the image of $f$. The inverse image of $\overline{\mathfrak q}$ in $R[x]$ is an element of $D(f) \cap V(g)$ mapping to $\mathfrak p$. $\square$

Theorem 10.28.9 (Chevalley's Theorem). Suppose that $R \to S$ is of finite presentation. The image of a constructible subset of $\mathop{\rm Spec}(S)$ in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is constructible.

Proof. Write $S = R[x_1, \ldots, x_n]/(f_1, \ldots, f_m)$. We may factor $R \to S$ as $R \to R[x_1] \to R[x_1, x_2] \to \ldots \to R[x_1, \ldots, x_{n-1}] \to S$. Hence we may assume that $S = R[x]/(f_1, \ldots, f_m)$. In this case we factor the map as $R \to R[x] \to S$, and by Lemma 10.28.5 we reduce to the case $S = R[x]$. By Lemma 10.28.1 suffices to show that if $T = (\bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$ for $f_i , g_j \in R[x]$ then the image in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is constructible. Since finite unions of constructible sets are constructible, it suffices to deal with the case $n = 1$, i.e., when $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$.

Note that if $c \in R$, then we have $$\mathop{\rm Spec}(R) = V(c) \amalg D(c) = \mathop{\rm Spec}(R/(c)) \amalg \mathop{\rm Spec}(R_c)),$$ and correspondingly $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R[x]) = V(c) \amalg D(c) = \mathop{\rm Spec}(R/(c)[x]) \amalg \mathop{\rm Spec}(R_c[x])$. The intersection of $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$ with each part still has the same shape, with $f$, $g_i$ replaced by their images in $R/(c)[x]$, respectively $R_c[x]$. Note that the image of $T$ in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R)$ is the union of the image of $T \cap V(c)$ and $T \cap D(c)$. Using Lemmas 10.28.4 and 10.28.5 it suffices to prove the images of both parts are constructible in $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R/(c))$, respectively $\mathop{\rm Spec}(R_c)$.

Let us assume we have $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$ as above, with $\deg(g_1) \leq \deg(g_2) \leq \ldots \leq \deg(g_m)$. We are going to use descending induction on $m$, and on the degrees of the $g_i$. Let $d = \deg(g_1)$, i.e., $g_1 = c x^{d_1} + l.o.t$ with $c \in R$ not zero. Cutting $R$ up into the pieces $R/(c)$ and $R_c$ we either lower the degree of $g_1$ (and this is covered by induction) or we reduce to the case where $c$ is invertible. If $c$ is invertible, and $m > 1$, then write $g_2 = c' x^{d_2} + l.o.t$. In this case consider $g_2' = g_2 - (c'/c) x^{d_2 - d_1} g_1$. Since the ideals $(g_1, g_2, \ldots, g_m)$ and $(g_1, g_2', g_3, \ldots, g_m)$ are equal we see that $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, g_2', g_3\ldots, g_m)$. But here the degree of $g_2'$ is strictly less than the degree of $g_2$ and hence this case is covered by induction.

The bases case for the induction above are the cases (a) $T = D(f) \cap V(g)$ where the leading coefficient of $g$ is invertible, and (b) $T = D(f)$. These two cases are dealt with in Lemmas 10.28.8 and 10.28.6. $\square$

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\section{Images of ring maps of finite presentation}
\label{section-images-finite-presentation}

\noindent
In this section we prove some results on the
topology of maps $\Spec(S) \to \Spec(R)$
induced by ring maps $R \to S$, mainly Chevalley's Theorem.
In order to do this we will use the notions of constructible sets,
quasi-compact sets, retrocompact sets, and so on
which are defined in Topology, Section \ref{topology-section-quasi-compact}.

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-qc-open}
Let $U \subset \Spec(R)$ be open. The following
are equivalent:
\begin{enumerate}
\item $U$ is retrocompact in $\Spec(R)$,
\item $U$ is quasi-compact,
\item $U$ is a finite union of standard opens, and
\item there exists a finitely generated ideal $I \subset R$ such
that $X \setminus V(I) = U$.
\end{enumerate}
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
We have (1) $\Rightarrow$ (2) because $\Spec(R)$ is quasi-compact, see
Lemma \ref{lemma-quasi-compact}. We have (2) $\Rightarrow$ (3) because
standard opens form a basis for the topology. Proof of (3) $\Rightarrow$ (1).
Let $U = \bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)$. To show that $U$ is retrocompact
in $\Spec(R)$ it suffices to show that $U \cap V$ is quasi-compact for any
quasi-compact open $V$ of $\Spec(R)$. Write
$V = \bigcup_{j = 1\ldots m} D(g_j)$ which is possible by (2) $\Rightarrow$
(3). Each standard open is homeomorphic to the spectrum of a ring and hence
quasi-compact, see Lemmas \ref{lemma-standard-open} and
\ref{lemma-quasi-compact}. Thus
$U \cap V = (\bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)) \cap (\bigcup_{j = 1\ldots m} D(g_j)) = \bigcup_{i, j} D(f_i g_j)$ is a finite union of quasi-compact opens
hence quasi-compact. To finish the proof note
that (4) is equivalent to (3) by
Lemma \ref{lemma-Zariski-topology}.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-affine-map-quasi-compact}
Let $\varphi : R \to S$ be a ring map.
The induced continuous map $f : \Spec(S) \to \Spec(R)$
is quasi-compact. For any constructible set $E \subset \Spec(R)$
the inverse image $f^{-1}(E)$ is constructible in $\Spec(S)$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
We first show that the inverse image of any quasi-compact
open $U \subset \Spec(R)$ is quasi-compact. By
Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} we may write $U$ as a finite
open of standard opens. Thus by Lemma \ref{lemma-spec-functorial}
we see that $f^{-1}(U)$ is a finite union of standard opens.
Hence $f^{-1}(U)$ is quasi-compact by Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} again.
The second assertion now follows from Topology, Lemma
\ref{topology-lemma-inverse-images-constructibles}.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-constructible-is-image}
Let $R$ be a ring and let $T \subset \Spec(R)$
be constructible. Then there exists a ring map $R \to S$ of
finite presentation such that $T$ is the image of
$\Spec(S)$ in $\Spec(R)$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Let $T \subset \Spec(R)$ be constructible.
The spectrum of a finite product of rings
is the disjoint union of the spectra, see
Lemma \ref{lemma-spec-product}. Hence if $T = T_1 \cup T_2$
and the result holds for $T_1$ and $T_2$, then the
result holds for $T$. In particular we may assume
that $T = U \cap V^c$, where $U, V \subset \Spec(R)$
are retrocompact open. By Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} we may write
$T = (\bigcup D(f_i)) \cap (\bigcup D(g_j))^c = \bigcup \big(D(f_i) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)\big)$.
In fact we may assume that $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$
(by the argument on unions above).
In this case $T$ is the image of the map
$R \to (R/(g_1, \ldots, g_m))_f$, see Lemmas
\ref{lemma-standard-open} and \ref{lemma-spec-closed}.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-open-fp}
Let $R$ be a ring.
Let $f$ be an element of $R$.
Let $S = R_f$.
Then the image of a constructible subset of $\Spec(S)$
is constructible in $\Spec(R)$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
We repeatedly use Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} without mention.
Let $U, V$ be quasi-compact open in $\Spec(S)$.
We will show that the image of $U \cap V^c$ is constructible.
Under the identification
$\Spec(S) = D(f)$ of Lemma \ref{lemma-standard-open}
the sets $U, V$ correspond to quasi-compact opens
$U', V'$ of $\Spec(R)$.
Hence it suffices to show that $U' \cap (V')^c$
is constructible in $\Spec(R)$ which is clear.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-closed-fp}
Let $R$ be a ring.
Let $I$ be a finitely generated ideal of $R$.
Let $S = R/I$.
Then the image of a constructible of $\Spec(S)$
is constructible in $\Spec(R)$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
If $I = (f_1, \ldots, f_m)$, then we see that
$V(I)$ is the complement of $\bigcup D(f_i)$,
see Lemma \ref{lemma-Zariski-topology}.
Hence it is constructible, by Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open}.
Denote the map $R \to S$ by $f \mapsto \overline{f}$.
We have to show that if $\overline{U}, \overline{V}$
are retrocompact opens of $\Spec(S)$, then the
image of $\overline{U} \cap \overline{V}^c$
in $\Spec(R)$ is constructible.
By Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} we may write
$\overline{U} = \bigcup D(\overline{g_i})$.
Setting $U = \bigcup D({g_i})$ we see $\overline{U}$
has image $U \cap V(I)$ which is constructible in
$\Spec(R)$. Similarly the image of $\overline{V}$ equals
$V \cap V(I)$ for some retrocompact open $V$ of $\Spec(R)$.
Hence the image of $\overline{U} \cap \overline{V}^c$
equals $U \cap V(I) \cap V^c$ as desired.
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-affineline-open}
Let $R$ be a ring. The map $\Spec(R[x]) \to \Spec(R)$
is open, and the image of any standard open is a quasi-compact
open.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
It suffices to show that the image of a standard open
$D(f)$, $f\in R[x]$ is quasi-compact open.
The image of $D(f)$ is the image of
$\Spec(R[x]_f) \to \Spec(R)$.
Let $\mathfrak p \subset R$ be a prime ideal.
Let $\overline{f}$ be the image of $f$ in
$\kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]$.
Recall, see Lemma \ref{lemma-in-image},
that $\mathfrak p$ is in the image
if and only if $R[x]_f \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) = \kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]_{\overline{f}}$ is not the
zero ring. This is exactly the condition that $f$ does not map
to zero in $\kappa(\mathfrak p)[x]$, in other words, that
some coefficient of $f$ is not in $\mathfrak p$.
Hence we see: if $f = a_d x^d + \ldots a_0$, then
the image of $D(f)$ is $D(a_d) \cup \ldots \cup D(a_0)$.
\end{proof}

\noindent
We prove a property of characteristic polynomials which
will be used below.

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-characteristic-polynomial-prime}
Let $R \to A$ be a ring homomorphism.
Assume $A \cong R^{\oplus n}$ as an $R$-module.
Let $f \in A$. The multiplication map $m_f: A \to A$ is $R$-linear and hence
has a characteristic polynomial
$P(T) = T^n + r_{n-1}T^{n-1} + \ldots + r_0 \in R[T]$.
For any prime
$\mathfrak{p} \in \Spec(R)$, $f$ acts nilpotently on $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak{p})$ if and only if $\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{n-1})$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
This follows quite easily once we prove that the characteristic
polynomial $\bar P(T) \in \kappa(\mathfrak p)[T]$ of the
multiplication map $m_{\bar f}: A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \to A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ which multiplies elements of $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ by $\bar f$, the image of $f$ viewed in
$\kappa(\mathfrak p)$, is just the image of $P(T)$ in
$\kappa(\mathfrak p)[T]$. Let $(a_{ij})$ be the matrix of the map
$m_f$ with entries in $R$, using a basis $e_1, \ldots, e_n$
of $A$ as an $R$-module.
Then, $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \cong (R \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p))^{\oplus n} = \kappa(\mathfrak p)^n$, which is
an $n$-dimensional vector space over $\kappa(\mathfrak p)$ with
basis $e_1 \otimes 1, \ldots, e_n \otimes 1$. The image $\bar f = f \otimes 1$, and so the multiplication map $m_{\bar f}$ has matrix
$(a_{ij} \otimes 1)$. Thus, the characteristic polynomial is
precisely the image of $P(T)$.

\medskip\noindent
From linear algebra, we know that a linear transformation acts
nilpotently on an $n$-dimensional vector space if and only if the
characteristic polynomial is $T^n$ (since the characteristic
polynomial divides some power of the minimal polynomial). Hence,
$f$ acts nilpotently on $A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ if and
only if $\bar P(T) = T^n$. This occurs if and only if $r_i \in \mathfrak p$ for all $0 \leq i \leq n - 1$, that is when $\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{n - 1}).$
\end{proof}

\begin{lemma}
\label{lemma-affineline-special}
Let $R$ be a ring. Let $f, g \in R[x]$ be polynomials.
Assume the leading coefficient of $g$ is a unit of $R$.
There exists elements $r_i\in R$, $i = 1\ldots, n$ such that
the image of $D(f) \cap V(g)$ in $\Spec(R)$ is
$\bigcup_{i = 1, \ldots, n} D(r_i)$.
\end{lemma}

\begin{proof}
Write $g = ux^d + a_{d-1}x^{d-1} + \ldots + a_0$, where
$d$ is the degree of $g$, and hence $u \in R^*$.
Consider the ring $A = R[x]/(g)$.
It is, as an $R$-module, finite free with basis the images
of $1, x, \ldots, x^{d-1}$. Consider multiplication
by (the image of) $f$ on $A$. This is an $R$-module map.
Hence we can let $P(T) \in R[T]$ be the characteristic polynomial
of this map. Write $P(T) = T^d + r_{d-1} T^{d-1} + \ldots + r_0$.
We claim that $r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1}$ have the desired property.
We will use below the property of characteristic polynomials
that
$$\mathfrak p \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1}) \Leftrightarrow \text{multiplication by }f\text{ is nilpotent on } A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p).$$
This was proved in Lemma \ref{lemma-characteristic-polynomial-prime}.

\medskip\noindent
Suppose $\mathfrak q\in D(f) \cap V(g)$, and let
$\mathfrak p = \mathfrak q \cap R$. Then there is a nonzero map
$A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p) \to \kappa(\mathfrak q)$ which
is compatible with multiplication by $f$.
And $f$ acts as a unit on $\kappa(\mathfrak q)$.
Thus we conclude $\mathfrak p \not \in V(r_0, \ldots, r_{d-1})$.

\medskip\noindent
On the other hand, suppose that $r_i \not\in \mathfrak p$ for some
prime $\mathfrak p$ of $R$ and some $0 \leq i \leq d - 1$.
Then multiplication by $f$ is not nilpotent on the algebra
$A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$.
Hence there exists a prime ideal $\overline{\mathfrak q} \subset A \otimes_R \kappa(\mathfrak p)$ not containing the image of $f$.
The inverse image of $\overline{\mathfrak q}$ in $R[x]$
is an element of $D(f) \cap V(g)$ mapping to $\mathfrak p$.
\end{proof}

\begin{theorem}[Chevalley's Theorem]
\label{theorem-chevalley}
Suppose that $R \to S$ is of finite presentation.
The image of a constructible subset of
$\Spec(S)$ in $\Spec(R)$ is constructible.
\end{theorem}

\begin{proof}
Write $S = R[x_1, \ldots, x_n]/(f_1, \ldots, f_m)$.
We may factor $R \to S$ as $R \to R[x_1] \to R[x_1, x_2] \to \ldots \to R[x_1, \ldots, x_{n-1}] \to S$. Hence
we may assume that $S = R[x]/(f_1, \ldots, f_m)$.
In this case we factor the map as $R \to R[x] \to S$,
and by Lemma \ref{lemma-closed-fp} we reduce to
the case $S = R[x]$. By Lemma \ref{lemma-qc-open} suffices
to show that if
$T = (\bigcup_{i = 1\ldots n} D(f_i)) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$
for $f_i , g_j \in R[x]$ then the image in $\Spec(R)$ is
constructible. Since finite unions of constructible sets
are constructible, it suffices to deal with the case $n = 1$,
i.e., when $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$.

\medskip\noindent
Note that if $c \in R$, then we have
$$\Spec(R) = V(c) \amalg D(c) = \Spec(R/(c)) \amalg \Spec(R_c)),$$
and correspondingly $\Spec(R[x]) = V(c) \amalg D(c) = \Spec(R/(c)[x]) \amalg \Spec(R_c[x])$. The intersection of $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$
with each part still has the same shape, with $f$, $g_i$ replaced
by their images in $R/(c)[x]$, respectively $R_c[x]$.
Note that the image of $T$
in $\Spec(R)$ is the union of the image of
$T \cap V(c)$ and $T \cap D(c)$. Using Lemmas \ref{lemma-open-fp}
and \ref{lemma-closed-fp} it suffices to prove the images of both
parts are constructible in $\Spec(R/(c))$, respectively
$\Spec(R_c)$.

\medskip\noindent
Let us assume we have $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, \ldots, g_m)$
as above, with $\deg(g_1) \leq \deg(g_2) \leq \ldots \leq \deg(g_m)$.
We are going to use descending induction on $m$, and on the
degrees of the $g_i$. Let $d = \deg(g_1)$, i.e., $g_1 = c x^{d_1} + l.o.t$
with $c \in R$ not zero. Cutting $R$ up into the pieces
$R/(c)$ and $R_c$ we either lower the degree of $g_1$ (and this
is covered by induction)
or we reduce to the case where $c$ is invertible.
If $c$ is invertible, and $m > 1$, then write
$g_2 = c' x^{d_2} + l.o.t$. In this case consider
$g_2' = g_2 - (c'/c) x^{d_2 - d_1} g_1$. Since the ideals
$(g_1, g_2, \ldots, g_m)$ and $(g_1, g_2', g_3, \ldots, g_m)$
are equal we see that $T = D(f) \cap V(g_1, g_2', g_3\ldots, g_m)$.
But here the degree of $g_2'$ is strictly less than the degree
of $g_2$ and hence this case is covered by induction.

\medskip\noindent
The bases case for the induction above are the cases
(a) $T = D(f) \cap V(g)$ where the leading coefficient
of $g$ is invertible, and (b) $T = D(f)$. These two cases
are dealt with in Lemmas \ref{lemma-affineline-special}
and \ref{lemma-affineline-open}.
\end{proof}

Comment #2602 by fanjun meng on June 10, 2017 a 12:24 pm UTC

Two ) should not appear in the nineth line and tenth line of the proof of theorem 10.28.9.

Comment #2627 by Johan (site) on July 7, 2017 a 12:40 pm UTC

Thanks, fixed here.

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