Infinite Goldie dimensions (Q1101532)

Let R be a ring with identity, and let M be a unital R-module. The Goldie dimension of M is the supremum \(\lambda\) of all cardinals \(\sigma\) such that M contains a direct sum of \(\sigma\) nonzero submodules. Given a cardinal number \(\lambda\), we say that \(\lambda\) is attained in M if M contains a direct sum of \(\lambda\) nonzero submodules. If the Goldie dimension of a module is not an inaccessible cardinal, then it is attained. An example of \textit{P. Erdős} and \textit{A. Tarski} [Ann. Math., II. Ser. 44, 315-329 (1943; Zbl 0060.126)] shows that the result is the best possible theorem.