Schemes 17: Finite, quasifinite

Schemes 17: Finite, quasifinite

🎙 Richard E Borcherds 👥 82K 📅 July 13, 2020 ⏱ 20 min 👁 3K 📄 lecture 🧭 2026-08-17
Available in: English (current) Français

Keywords

finite morphismquasifiniteschemealgebraic geometryHartshorne

Summary

This lecture is part of an online algebraic geometry course on schemes, based on chapter II of Hartshorne’s ‘Algebraic Geometry’. The speaker, Richard Borcherds, defines finite morphisms of schemes and discusses the concept of quasifinite morphisms, noting that there are three inequivalent definitions in the literature (due to Grothendieck in SGA1 and EGA2, and Hartshorne). He proves that finite morphisms have finite discrete fibers, and thus are quasifinite under any definition. He provides examples illustrating the differences: the projection of a parabola is finite, while the projection of a hyperbola is quasifinite but not finite. He also discusses the spectrum of the ring of integers in a number field mapping to Spec Z, which is finite. He clarifies the relationships between finite, quasifinite, and finite type morphisms, and warns that the definitions are not equivalent in general. The lecture concludes with examples showing that Hartshorne’s definition and Grothendieck’s first definition differ, and that having finite fibers alone is not very useful without additional conditions like finite type.

167 words

Critical Evaluation

Value of the Information & Strength of the Argument

The lecture provides a clear and rigorous exposition of finite and quasifinite morphisms, a fundamental topic in algebraic geometry. The speaker carefully distinguishes between the three definitions of quasifinite, which is valuable for students and researchers navigating the literature. The argumentation is solid, with proofs for key properties and illustrative examples that clarify the concepts. The examples are well-chosen to highlight the differences between the definitions and the limitations of each. The lecture is self-contained and builds on previous lectures in the series, making it accessible to those with a background in scheme theory.

Scientific Rigor, Source Quality, Title Accuracy

The lecture is based on Hartshorne’s ‘Algebraic Geometry’, a standard and authoritative reference. The speaker is a well-known mathematician, and the content is accurate and rigorous. The title accurately reflects the content. No external sources are cited beyond the textbook, but the lecture is part of a structured course. The presentation is clear and well-organized, with definitions, proofs, and examples. The lecture does not include any advertising or sponsored content.

179 words

Title / Content Match

The title accurately reflects the content, which focuses on finite and quasifinite morphisms in scheme theory.

Quality & Reliability

9/10

Lecture by a renowned mathematician, based on Hartshorne's standard textbook, with rigorous definitions and proofs. The content is accurate and well-structured, though it is a lecture rather than peer-reviewed publication.

Key Moments

Cited Sources

  • Algebraic Geometry — Main reference for the course, specifically Chapter II on schemes.

Concurring Sources

  • Algebraic Geometry — The lecture follows the definitions and results from Hartshorne's textbook, which is a standard reference in the field.

Contribution & Novelties

The lecture provides a clear and detailed exposition of finite and quasifinite morphisms, clarifying the subtle differences between the three definitions found in the literature. It offers a rigorous proof that finite morphisms have finite discrete fibers and provides instructive examples that illustrate the distinctions. The lecture is particularly valuable for students learning algebraic geometry, as it addresses common confusions and emphasizes the importance of being precise about definitions.

Pour aller plus loin :

127 words

Radar Profile

The radar chart shows high scores across all dimensions, indicating a lecture that is both informative and rigorous. The high technical level and quality of information reflect the depth of the content, while the moderate quantity of information is appropriate for a focused lecture. The overall reliability is high, consistent with the speaker's expertise and the use of a standard textbook.

Reliability 9/10