Generalized pure modules (Q5945609)

Let \(R\) be a ring, let \(M\) be an \(R\)-submodule of \(N\), and let \(I\), \(J\) be sets. Consider the system of equations \(\sum\{x_ir_{ij}\mid i\in I\}=d_j\in M\), where \(j\in J\) and \(r_{ij}\in R\). Then \(M\) is pure in \(N\) if any such system that is solvable in \(N\) is already solvable in \(M\). This usual concept of purity is extended from the classical case (\(|I|\), \(|J|\) finite) to the case in which \(|I|\), \(|J|\) are infinite. The author then studies absolute purity in this general setting and obtains some results about ascending chains of submodules whose lengths must be less than a fixed (infinite) cardinal. These results give a very nice extension of the classical case. The proofs require an intricate blending of algebra and set theoretic techniques.