Show ( \mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} ) is not a free ( \mathbb{Z} )-module. Proof: If it were free, any basis element would have infinite order, but every element in ( \mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} ) has finite order. Contradiction. 6. Universal Property of Free Modules Typical Problem: Use the universal property to define homomorphisms from a free module.
A free module ( F ) with basis ( {e_i} ) means every element is a unique finite linear combination ( \sum r_i e_i ). Over commutative rings, the rank of a free module is well-defined if the ring has IBN (invariant basis number) — all fields, ( \mathbb{Z} ), and commutative rings have IBN. Dummit And Foote Solutions Chapter 10.zip
Over a non-domain (e.g., ( \mathbb{Z}/6\mathbb{Z} )), torsion elements don’t form a submodule in general because the annihilator of a sum may be trivial. Part VI: Advanced Exercises (61–75) 10. Tensor Products (if covered in your edition) Typical Problem: Compute ( \mathbb{Z}/m\mathbb{Z} \otimes_{\mathbb{Z}} \mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} ). Show ( \mathbb{Z}/n\mathbb{Z} ) is not a free