A NOTE ON ADDITIVE RANK FUNCTIONS (Q2764477)

Let \(R\) be an associative ring with unit element, and let \(\mathcal C\) be a class of left \(R\)-modules that is closed under submodules, homomorphic images, extensions, and contains \(_RR\). A function \(\lambda\) which assigns to each module in \(\mathcal C\) a nonnegative integer is called an additive rank function if \(\lambda(M)=\lambda(K)+\lambda(N)\) for any exact sequence \(0\to K\to M\to N\to 0\) of modules in \(\mathcal C\). If \(\lambda(A)\neq 0\) for each left ideal \(A\neq 0\) of the ring \(R/N\) (\(N=\) prime radical of \(R\)), then \(\lambda\) is called nonsingular. The generalized reduced rank introduced by the author [Commun. Algebra 10, 1517-1536 (1982; Zbl 0499.16004)] is an example of such a nonsingular additive rank function, and so are the additive rank functions for Noetherian rings studied by the reviewer [J. Algebra 130, No. 2, 451-461 (1990; Zbl 0696.16008)]. It is shown that a semiprime ring \(R\) admits a nonsingular additive rank function if and only if \(R\) is left Goldie.