In abstract algebra, if I and J are ideals of a commutative ring R, their ideal quotient (I : J) is the set Then (I : J) is itself an ideal in R. The ideal quotient is viewed as a quotient because if and only if. The ideal quotient is useful for calculating primary decompositions. It also arises in the description of the set difference in algebraic geometry (see below). (I : J) is sometimes referred to as a colon ideal because of the notation. In the context of fractional ideals, there is a related notion of the inverse of a fractional ideal.

Properties

The ideal quotient satisfies the following properties:

Calculating the quotient

The above properties can be used to calculate the quotient of ideals in a polynomial ring given their generators. For example, if I = (f1, f2, f3) and J = (g1, g2) are ideals in k[x1, ..., xn], then Then elimination theory can be used to calculate the intersection of I with (g1) and (g2): Calculate a Gröbner basis for with respect to lexicographic order. Then the basis functions which have no t in them generate.

Geometric interpretation

The ideal quotient corresponds to set difference in algebraic geometry. More precisely,

Examples