An elementary result on infinite and finite direct sums of modules (Q6169067)

The author shows that for a left \(R\)-module \(M\) having two (generally infinite) direct sum decompositions \(A\oplus (\bigoplus_{i\in I}C_i)=M=B \oplus (\bigoplus_{j\in J}D_j)\) into finitely generated submodules, there exist finite subsets \(I_0\subseteq I\), \(J_0\subseteq J\), and a direct summand \(Y\) of \(\bigoplus_{i\in I_0}C_i\) such that \(A\oplus Y=B\oplus (\bigoplus_{j\in J_0}D_j)\). Several enlightening remarks, some possible generalizations and limitations as well as some questions are also given.