MAT 401

Advanced Algebra I

by

Michael EniOluwafe, Ph.D

Department of Mathematics,
University of Ibadan,
Ibadan.

i
Lecture Nine

Composition Series with Noetherian and Ar-

tinian Modules
9.1 Introduction
Here, we discuss on the connection between Composition Series with Noethe-
rian and Artinian Modules.

9.2 Objectives
At the end of this lecture you should be able to:
(i) define normal series of an R-module
(ii) define length of the series
(iii) define (proper) refinement of the normal series
(iv) state equivalent condition on two normal series.
(v) define a composition series, and give necessary and sufficient condition
for module of finite length to have a composition series.
(vi) state the necessary and sufficient condition for an R-module which has
a composition series to be Noetherian and Artinian.

9.3 Pre-Test
See Post-Test at the end of this lecture.

9.4 Definitions
A normal series of an R-module M is a Chain of submodules:

M = M0 ⊇ M1 ⊇ M2 ⊇ · · · ⊇ Mn .

1
The length of the series is the number of proper inclusions (the number of
nontrivial factors).
A refinement of the normal series

M = M0 ⊇ M1 ⊇ M2 ⊇ · · · ⊇ Mn .

is a normal series obtained by inserting a finite number of additional submod-

ules of the given ones.
A proper refinement is one which has length large than the original series.
Two normal series are equivalent if there is a one to one correspondence be-
tween the nontrivial factors such that corresponding factors are isomorphic
modules.

9.5 Remark
The equivalent normal series necessarily have the same length.

9.6 Definitions and Results

A composition series for M is a normal series M = M0 ⊇ M1 ⊇ M2 ⊇ · · · ⊇
Mn = 0 such that Mi /Mi+1 is a nonzero simple R-module for every i. Con-
sequently, R-module M is of finite length if and only if M has a composition
series. If M is a finite length R-module, then lR (M ) is the length of every
composition series of M .

9.7 Remark
lR (M ) is well-defined because of the following.

9.8 Theorem
Any two normal series of an R-module M has refinement that are equivalent.
In particular, any two composition series of M are equivalent.

2
9.9 Theorem
An R-module M has a composition series if and only if M is both Noetherian
and Artinian.

Proof
(=⇒)
All Chains in M are of finite length, hence both ACC and DCC hold.

(⇐=)
Construct a composition series as follows. Since M = M0 is Noetherian, M
has a maximal submodule, M1 M . Similarly, M1 has a maximal submodule
M2 M1 , and so on. Thus we have a strictly descending Chain of submodules
of M which by DCC must be finite, hence is a composition series of M . 
An easy consequence of Theorem 9.9 is the following.

9.10 Corollary
f g
Let 0 −→ L −→ M −→ N −→ 0 be a short exact sequence; then M is a finite
length module if and only if N and L are both finite length modules. If M is
a finite length module, then
lR (M ) = lR (L) + lR (N ).
Proof. Let k = lR (N ) and (0) = Nk Nk−1 · · · N0 = N be a composition
series of N . Let Mi = g −1 (Ni ); then f (L) = Mk Mk−1 · · · M0 = M
and Mi /Mi+1 is simple for every i. Moreover, let t = lR (L) and
(0) = f (Lt ) f (Lt−1 ) ··· f (L0 ) = f (L) = Mk Mk−1 ··· M0 = M
is a composition series of M .
Therefore,
lR (M ) = lR (L) + lR (N ) 

9.11 Corollary
Let R be a ring in which the zero ideal is a product m1 · · · mn of maximal ideals
(not necessarily distinct). Then R is Noetherian if and only if R is Artinian.

3
Proof
Consider the Chain of ideals
R ! m1 ) m1 m2 ) · · · ) m1 · · · mn = 0
Each factor m1 · · · mi−1 /m1 · · · mi is vector space over the field R/mi . Hence
ACC ⇐⇒ DCC for each factor.
But ACC (resp. DCC) for each factor ⇐⇒ ACC (resp. DCC) for R, we ob-
tain that R is Noetherian if and only if R is Artinian. 

9.12 Summary of Lecture

We discussed the necessary and sufficient condition for an R-module having
a composition series to be both Noetherian and Artinian, and the consequence.

9.13 Post-Test
(1) Show that any finite module admits a composition series

(2) Show that if a module M admits a composition series, it is finitely gen-

erated.

(3) Show that a ZZ-module M admits a composition series if and only if it

is finite.

(4) Let k be a field. Show that a k-module admits a composition series if and
only if it is finitely generated (i.e., if and only if it is finite-dimensional).

9.14 Supplementary Reading

(1) A.O. Kuku, Abstract Algebra, Ibadan University Press, 1980.

(2) J. Cozzens and C. Faith, Simple Noetherian Rings, Cambridge Univer-

sity Press, Cambridge, 1975.

(3) N. Jacobson, Basic Algebra I, Second Edition, W.H. Freeman, 1985.

(4) W.K. Nicholson, Introduction to Abstract Algebra, 4th edition, John Wi-
ley and Sons ISBN 978-1-118-13535-8.