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There are two theorems in Matsumura (p. 78-9)

Theorem 11.1 Let $R$ be a valuation ring. Then the following conditions are equivalent:

(1) $R$ is a DVR

(2) $R$ is a PID

(3) $R$ is Noetherian

and

Theorem 11.2 Let $R$ be a ring; then the following conditions are equivalent:

(1) $R$ is a DVR

(2) $R$ is a local PID, and not a field

(3) $R$ is a Noetherian local ring, dim $R >0$ and the maximal ideal $\mathfrak{m}_R$ is principal

(4) $R$ is a one-dimensional normal Noetherian local ring.

Question

Suppose we have a field $K$. Then $K$ is trivially a valuation ring. It is also (of course) a PID, then according to Thereorem 11.1 it must be a DVR.

Since $K$ is a DVR, $K$ is not a field according to 11.2. Am I misunderstanding something?

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  • $\begingroup$ @user26857 Matsumura himself says that fields are valuation rings. On page 71, he says "The case R=K is the trivial valuation ring". $\endgroup$
    – Artus
    Dec 30, 2014 at 19:04
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    $\begingroup$ I think you're referring to me, not user26857. I made a mistake and misinterpreted his definition as I admitted in the next comment. My apologies. $\endgroup$
    – Weaam
    Dec 30, 2014 at 19:06
  • $\begingroup$ @Weaam I was actually writing to both of you but I can only refer to one. user26857 said he didn't want to argue with Matsumura about whether or not fields were valuation rings...so I just wanted to state Matsumura's opinion. $\endgroup$
    – Artus
    Dec 30, 2014 at 19:08
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    $\begingroup$ I think the author some how assume (without saying clearly) that from now on we will only talk about non-trivial valuation rings. I'm saying this because just before Theorem 11.1 the following definition was given: a valuation ring whose value group is isomorphic to $\mathbb{Z}$ is called a discrete valuation ring (DVR). so the Theorem 11.1 doesn't make sense unless you discard the trivial case (i.e. field). $\endgroup$
    – Krish
    Dec 30, 2014 at 19:10

2 Answers 2

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The definition of DVRs in Matsumura, as valuation rings whose value group is isomorphic to $\mathbb Z$, doesn't allow you to consider the fields as DVRs.

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Following the definitions of the book:

A field is a valuation ring, yet not a DVR, since its valuation group is not ismorphic to the integers, as pointed out in another answer already.

Thus, there is in fact a contradiction there. Indeed, there is a glitch in Theorem 11.1. In the proof, part (2) implies (1), it is assumed (implictly) that the PID is not a field.

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