
Composition of blowing ups is a blowing up

Lemma 30.32.14. Let $X$ be a quasi-compact and quasi-separated scheme. Let $Z \subset X$ be a closed subscheme of finite presentation. Let $b : X' \to X$ be the blowing up with center $Z$. Let $Z' \subset X'$ be a closed subscheme of finite presentation. Let $X'' \to X'$ be the blowing up with center $Z'$. There exists a closed subscheme $Y \subset X$ of finite presentation, such that

1. $Y = Z \cup b(Z')$ set theoretically, and

2. the composition $X'' \to X$ is isomorphic to the blowing up of $X$ in $Y$.

Proof. The condition that $Z \to X$ is of finite presentation means that $Z$ is cut out by a finite type quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals $\mathcal{I} \subset \mathcal{O}_ X$, see Morphisms, Lemma 28.20.7. Write $\mathcal{A} = \bigoplus _{n \geq 0} \mathcal{I}^ n$ so that $X' = \underline{\text{Proj}}(\mathcal{A})$. Note that $X \setminus Z$ is a quasi-compact open of $X$ by Properties, Lemma 27.24.1. Since $b^{-1}(X \setminus Z) \to X \setminus Z$ is an isomorphism (Lemma 30.32.4) the same result shows that $b^{-1}(X \setminus Z) \setminus Z'$ is quasi-compact open in $X'$. Hence $U = X \setminus (Z \cup b(Z'))$ is quasi-compact open in $X$. By Lemma 30.31.5 there exist a $d > 0$ and a finite type $\mathcal{O}_ X$-submodule $\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{I}^ d$ such that $Z' = \underline{\text{Proj}}(\mathcal{A}/\mathcal{F}\mathcal{A})$ and such that the support of $\mathcal{I}^ d/\mathcal{F}$ is contained in $X \setminus U$.

Since $\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{I}^ d$ is an $\mathcal{O}_ X$-submodule we may think of $\mathcal{F} \subset \mathcal{I}^ d \subset \mathcal{O}_ X$ as a finite type quasi-coherent sheaf of ideals on $X$. Let's denote this $\mathcal{J} \subset \mathcal{O}_ X$ to prevent confusion. Since $\mathcal{I}^ d / \mathcal{J}$ and $\mathcal{O}/\mathcal{I}^ d$ are supported on $X \setminus U$ we see that $V(\mathcal{J})$ is contained in $X \setminus U$. Conversely, as $\mathcal{J} \subset \mathcal{I}^ d$ we see that $Z \subset V(\mathcal{J})$. Over $X \setminus Z \cong X' \setminus b^{-1}(Z)$ the sheaf of ideals $\mathcal{J}$ cuts out $Z'$ (see displayed formula below). Hence $V(\mathcal{J})$ equals $Z \cup b(Z')$. It follows that also $V(\mathcal{I}\mathcal{J}) = Z \cup b(Z')$ set theoretically. Moreover, $\mathcal{I}\mathcal{J}$ is an ideal of finite type as a product of two such. We claim that $X'' \to X$ is isomorphic to the blowing up of $X$ in $\mathcal{I}\mathcal{J}$ which finishes the proof of the lemma by setting $Y = V(\mathcal{I}\mathcal{J})$.

First, recall that the blowup of $X$ in $\mathcal{I}\mathcal{J}$ is the same as the blowup of $X'$ in $b^{-1}\mathcal{J} \mathcal{O}_{X'}$, see Lemma 30.32.12. Hence it suffices to show that the blowup of $X'$ in $b^{-1}\mathcal{J} \mathcal{O}_{X'}$ agrees with the blowup of $X'$ in $Z'$. We will show that

$b^{-1}\mathcal{J} \mathcal{O}_{X'} = \mathcal{I}_ E^ d \mathcal{I}_{Z'}$

as ideal sheaves on $X''$. This will prove what we want as $\mathcal{I}_ E^ d$ cuts out the effective Cartier divisor $dE$ and we can use Lemmas 30.32.7 and 30.32.12.

To see the displayed equality of the ideals we may work locally. With notation $A$, $I$, $a \in I$ as in Lemma 30.32.2 we see that $\mathcal{F}$ corresponds to an $R$-submodule $M \subset I^ d$ mapping isomorphically to an ideal $J \subset R$. The condition $Z' = \underline{\text{Proj}}(\mathcal{A}/\mathcal{F}\mathcal{A})$ means that $Z' \cap \mathop{\mathrm{Spec}}(A[\frac{I}{a}])$ is cut out by the ideal generated by the elements $m/a^ d$, $m \in M$. Say the element $m \in M$ corresponds to the function $f \in J$. Then in the affine blowup algebra $A' = A[\frac{I}{a}]$ we see that $f = (a^ dm)/a^ d = a^ d (m/a^ d)$. Thus the equality holds. $\square$

Comment #3614 by slogan_bot on

Suggested slogan: Composition of blowing ups is a blowing up

There are also:

• 7 comment(s) on Section 30.32: Blowing up

In your comment you can use Markdown and LaTeX style mathematics (enclose it like $\pi$). A preview option is available if you wish to see how it works out (just click on the eye in the toolbar).