How to get the value of the structure sheaf on an arbitrary open subset of an affine scheme

algebraic-geometryschemes

In Vakil's notes on the foundations of algebraic geometry, he defines the structure sheaf $
\mathscr{O}_{\text{Spec}A}(D(f))$
for distinguished open sets $D(f)$ by $\mathscr{O}_{\text{Spec}A}(D(f)) := A_f$. He then defines the restriction map for $D(g) \subseteq D(f)$ by

$$\rho^{D(f)}_{D(g)} : \mathscr{O}_{\text{Spec}A}(D(f)) \rightarrow \mathscr{O}_{\text{Spec}A}(D(g))$$

"in the obvious way". I assume this means

$$\frac{a}{f^{n}} \mapsto \frac{b^{m}a}{g^{mn}}?$$

He then goes on and proves that this is indeed a sheaf of rings on the distinguished open sets. Now, he claims that this then indeed gives a sheaf of rings on the topological space Spec $A$. I know that every open set $U$ of Spec $A$ may be written as the union of distinguished open sets such that

$$U = \bigcup_{i \in I} D(f_{i}).$$

But how do I get the sheaf $\mathscr{O}_{\text{Spec}A}(U)$? I.e. is this the localization at the sum $\sum_{i \in I} f_i$ or the product of the $A_{f_{i}}$?

Best Answer

It is not important to know what the sections are on a generic open set, as you can always work with basic open sets, but you can find a description of the sections of $\text{Spec} A$ in Hartshorne's Algebraic geometry, page 70