Projective algebras (Q5896358)

Let R be a commutative ring with unity. The author considers only commutative augmented R-algebras that are finitely generated over R. He terms such an R-algebra A projective if there is an R-algebra B such that \(A\otimes_ RB\cong R^{[n]},\) a polynomial algebra over R in n variables, and he terms such an algebra weakly projective if it satisfies for algebras the definition of a projective module. The author develops a method for constructing weakly projective R-algebras by considering pullback diagrams of rings. Involved in the construction is a generalization of a lifting lemma of \textit{T. Asanuma} [Proc. int. Symp. algebraic geometry, Kyoto 1977, 447-476 (1977; Zbl 0413.13008)]. The construction yields examples of weakly projective algebras which are not stably equivalent to symmetric algebras. A question raised in the paper of whether a weakly projective algebra is necessarily projective has been answered in the negative by \textit{C. Greither} [J. Algebra 70, 316-338 (1981; Zbl 0478.13003)]. Greither uses the terminology invertible algebra and projective algebra rather than projective algebra and weakly projective algebra.