[Math] Noetherian Local Ring

commutative-algebra

I came across this old exam problem. If $R$ is a local Noetherian ring and $I$ is an ideal in $R$ such that $I^2=I$ then $I =0$.

Any hint would be appreciated. I'm only familiar with what the definition of local and Noetherian mean. I'm not sure why these properties are useful.

Best Answer

If you don't get how Zev's hint goes here are three more hints to apply Nakayama's Lemma:

  1. Since $R$ is Noetherian it follows that $I$ is finitely generated as an $R$ - module.

  2. Since $R$ is a local ring, $\operatorname{Jac}( R) = \mathfrak{m}$, the maximal ideal of $R$.

  3. Every ideal is contained in some maximal ideal. The containment could be proper or we can have equality.