Prime ring
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In abstract algebra, a non-trivial ring R is a prime ring if for any two elements a and b of R, if arb = 0 for all r in R, then either a = 0 or b = 0. Prime ring can also refer to the subring of a field determined by its characteristic. For a characteristic 0 field, the prime ring is the integers, for a characteristic p field (with p a prime number) the prime ring is the finite field of order p (cf. prime field).[1]
Prime rings, under the first definition, can be regarded as a simultaneous generalization of both integral domains and matrix rings over fields.
[edit] Examples
- Any domain is a prime ring.
- Any simple ring is a prime ring, and more generally: every left or right primitive ring is a prime ring.
- Any matrix ring over an integral domain is a prime ring. In particular, the ring of 2-by-2 integer matrices is a prime ring.
[edit] Properties
- A commutative ring is a prime ring if and only if it is an integral domain.
- A ring is prime if and only if its zero ideal is a prime ideal.
- A non-trivial ring is prime if and only if the monoid of its ideals lacks zero divisors.
- The ring of matrices over a prime ring is again a prime ring.
[edit] References
- ^ Lang, Serge [1965] (1997). Algebra, Third Edition, USA: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, p. 90. ISBN 0-201-55540-9.
