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Theorem. Prime ideals of AA are also maximal [math-LRSC]

Let AA be a Boolean ring. Every prime ideal of AA is a maximal ideal.

Proof. [local-0]

The facts we need here are

  1. For each ideal II of AA, the quotient ring A/IA / I is also a Boolean ring. Because for every iA/Ii \in A / I we have a ring morphism φ:AA/I\varphi : A \to A / I and an element aAa \in A such that φ(a)=i\varphi(a) = i To show A/IA / I is a Boolean ring, means for each iA/Ii \in A / I we have ii=ii * i = i. Now ii=φ(a)φ(a)=φ(aa)=φ(a)=ii * i = \varphi(a) * \varphi(a) = \varphi(a * a) = \varphi(a) = i as desired.
  2. If a Boolean ring RR is also an integral domain, it has only two elements. Because from aRa \in R we have aa=aa * a = a rewrite it to a(a1)=0a * (a - 1) = 0 Now because RR is an integral domain, hence a=0(a1)=0a = 0 \lor (a - 1) = 0 for all aRa \in R. Therefore, the only two elements are 00 and 11.

For each prime ideal xx, the quotient ring A/xA / x is an integral domain, and hence has finite elements, which implies it's also a field, hence xx is a maximal ideal.