map f exhibits B as a at A-module.

(3) The multiplication map p : BAB ! B is the projection onto a summand: that is, there exists another
map of commutative rings q : BAB ! R such that p and q induce an isomorphism BAB ! B_R.
Remark 7.5.0.2. Condition (3) of De_nition 7.5.0.1 is equivalent to the following assertion:
(_) There exists an idempotent element e 2 BAB such that p induces an isomorphism (BAB)[ 1
e ] ' B.
Indeed, if B A B ' B _ R, we can take e to be the preimage of the element (1; 0) 2 B _ R. Conversely, if
(_) is satis_ed, then we can take R = (B A B)[ 1
1e ].
Remark 7.5.0.3. For any _etale map of commutative rings f : A ! B, the module of Kahler di_erentials
B=A is trivial. Equivalently, for every B-module M, the projection map p : B _M ! B admits a unique
section (as a map of A-modules). Indeed, if p has two sections s and s0, then we get an induced map
f : B A B ! B _ M. If e 2 B A B is the idempotent of Remark 7.5.0.2, then f(e) = 1 + m for some
m 2 M and is therefore invertible. It follows that f factors through the multiplication map