Section 6.

4. First, suppose R is an integral domain. Let ab (0R ). This forces ab = 0R ,

so necessarily a = 0R or b = 0R , since R is integral domain. Thus a (0R ) or
b (0R ). Hence (0R ) is a prime ideal.
Second, suppose (0R ) is a prime ideal. Let xy = 0R for x, y R. Then xy (0R ),
so by primality, x (0R ) or y (0R ), that is, x = 0R or y = 0R . Hence R is an
integral domain.

7. First, suppose R is a field. Let I be an ideal of R such that (0R ) ( I R.

Let x I, x 6= 0R . Because R is a field, x1 R, so that 1R = xx1 I, by the
absorption property of I. But again by absorption, 1r r I for all r R, that
is, R I. But I R. Thus I = R, implying from the definition that (0R ) is a
maximal ideal.
Second, suppose that (0R ) is a maximal ideal. Let u R, u 6= 0. Since (0R ) ( (u),
the ideal (u) must equal R, by maximality. But 1R R, so 1R (u), so there
exists v R with uv = 1R , so that u is a unit. Hence R is a field.