Module Theory

The purpose of this expository monograph is three-fold. First, the solution of a problem posed by Wolfgang Krull in 1932 is presented. He asked whether what is now called the "Krull-Schmidt Theorem" holds for artinian modules. A negative answer was published only in 1995 by Facchini, Herbera, Levy and Vámos. Second, the answer to a question posed by Warfield in 1975, namely, whether the Krull-Schmidt-Theorem holds for serial modules, is described. Facchini published a negative answer in 1996. The solution to the Warfield problem shows an interesting behavior; in fact, it is a phenomena so rare in the history of Krull-Schmidt type theorems that its presentation to a wider mathematical audience provides the third incentive for this monograph. Briefly, the Krull-Schmidt-Theorem holds for some, not all, classes of modules. When it does hold, any two indecomposable decompositions are uniquely determined up to one permutation. For serial modules the theorem does not hold, but any two indecomposable decompositions are uniquely determined up to two permutations.

Apart from these issues, the book addresses various topics in module theory and ring theory, some now considered classical (such as Goldie dimension, semiperfect rings, Krull dimension, rings of quotients, and their applications) and others more specialized (such as dual Goldie dimension, semilocal endomorphism rings, serial rings and modules, exchange property, (sigma)-pure-injective modules). Open problems conclude the work.

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Besides its research value, this book is a considerable addition to the list of fundamental books in rings and modules. It is written carefully with necessary backgrounds developed in a logical way. There are many fundamental points worked out in the book. All these make the book an excellent contribution to the development of module and ring theory, and a source of reference. Algebraists will certainly enjoy themselves in reading