Simple flat extensions (Q2539889)

For a commutative ring \(R\), a flat extension is an \(R\)-algebra \(S\) which is flat as an \(R\)-module. This note gives a structure theorem for flat extensions of a noetherian ring which are obtained, essentially, by adjoining a single element to \(R\). Such extension is best described by an exact sequence \(0\rightarrow I\rightarrow R[x] \rightarrow S\rightarrow 0\) and the characterization is given in terms of the ideal \(I\). The following is proved: (a) \(S\) is \(R\)-flat if and only if the content of \(I\) \((= \) ideal of \(R\) generated by the coefficient of \(I = c(I))\) is generated by an idempotent and \(I\) is a projective ideal of Blade. (b) If \(c(I) = R\) then \(S\) is \(R\)-projective if and only if \(S\) is integral over \(R\). In (a) the noetherian condition is used only to ensure that \(I\) be finitely generated. As for (b), it is valid provided \(R\) is such that finitely generated flat \(R\)-modules: are projective (an \(F\)-ring for short). It is conjectured that ``\(F\)-rings'' is precisely the class for which the theorem is valid.