## 42.8 Cycles

Since we are not assuming our schemes are quasi-compact we have to be a little careful when defining cycles. We have to allow infinite sums because a rational function may have infinitely many poles for example. In any case, if $X$ is quasi-compact then a cycle is a finite sum as usual.

Definition 42.8.1. Let $(S, \delta )$ be as in Situation 42.7.1. Let $X$ be locally of finite type over $S$. Let $k \in \mathbf{Z}$.

1. A cycle on $X$ is a formal sum

$\alpha = \sum n_ Z [Z]$

where the sum is over integral closed subschemes $Z \subset X$, each $n_ Z \in \mathbf{Z}$, and the collection $\{ Z; n_ Z \not= 0\}$ is locally finite (Topology, Definition 5.28.4).

2. A $k$-cycle on $X$ is a cycle

$\alpha = \sum n_ Z [Z]$

where $n_ Z \not= 0 \Rightarrow \dim _\delta (Z) = k$.

3. The abelian group of all $k$-cycles on $X$ is denoted $Z_ k(X)$.

In other words, a $k$-cycle on $X$ is a locally finite formal $\mathbf{Z}$-linear combination of integral closed subschemes of $\delta$-dimension $k$. Addition of $k$-cycles $\alpha = \sum n_ Z[Z]$ and $\beta = \sum m_ Z[Z]$ is given by

$\alpha + \beta = \sum (n_ Z + m_ Z)[Z],$

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