Let $R$ be a ring with unity and let $I$ be an ideal of $R$. Prove that $l_{R/I}(a+I)=(l_R(a)+I)/I.$

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Let $R$ be a ring with unity, $a\in R$ and let $I$ be an ideal of $R$. Define the following annihilators as $$l_{R/I}(a+I)=\{x+I\in R/I:(x+I)(a+I)=I\}$$ and $$l_R(a)=\{r\in R:xa=0_R\}.$$ Prove that $$l_{R/I}(a+I)=(l_R(a)+I)/I.$$

Proof: From the definition of $l_{R/I}(a+I)$, it follows that $(x+I)(a+I)=xa+I=I=0_R+I$ and $x\in l_R(a)+I$ so that $x+I\in (l_R(a)+I)/I.$

I am failing to prove the reverse. I don't know the flaws is in the first proof too.

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The reason you are having problems with the converse is because the converse is false.

Let $R=\mathbb Z/8\mathbb Z$. Then for $a=2+8\mathbb Z$, $\ell_R(a)=\frac{4\mathbb Z}{8\mathbb Z}$.

Set $\ell_R(a)=I$. Then $(\ell_R(a)+I)/I=I/I$, the zero ideal of $R/I$.

But $\ell_{R/I}(a+I)$ clearly contains $a+I$, which is not zero in $R/I$.


There are definitely flaws of unclarity in what you've written.

  1. You write $(x+I)(a+I)=xa+I=I$... but why? Is it because you have assumed $x\in \ell_R(a)$? Or is it because you have assumed $x+I\in \ell_{R/I}(a+I)$?

  2. Then you wrote $x\in \ell_R(a)+I$, which doesn't fit with what you wrote above. What you have written says $x-y\in I$ where $y$ annihilates $a$. I don't even see why you concluded $x\in \ell_R(a)+I$ at all from the preceding line.

Anyhow, the fact that $(\ell_R(a)+I)/I\subseteq \ell_{R/I}(a+I)$ is completely trivial, if that's what you intended in point $1$ above. Your first line before "and" has the computations that would show that if $x\in \ell_R(a)$ then $x+I$ annihilates $a+I$, so that $x+I\in \ell_{R/I}(a+I)$.