$I$ is the maximal left ideal

Let $R$ be a ring and $I\subseteq R$ the unique maximal right ideal of $R$.

I have shown that $I$ is an ideal and that each element $a\in R-I$ is invertible.

I want to show that $I$ is the unique maximal left ideal of $R$.

I found the following solution:

If $R\neq T$ is a left ideal then $x\in T$, $x$ is not invertible. So It must be $x\in I$. Therefore, each right ideal $T\subseteq I$.

Could you explain to me that solution?.I haven't understood that...

Let $I$ be the unique maximal right ideal of $R$. This means that

1. the only right ideal properly containing $I$ is $R$ (maximality);
2. every proper right ideal of $R$ is contained in $I$.

Condition 2 follows from the fact that every proper right ideal is contained in a maximal right ideal.

If you have correctly proved that each element of $R\setminus I$ is invertible, then you have also proved that $I$ consists of all non-invertible elements, because a proper ideal cannot contain an invertible element. To be more explicit, let $U(R)$ be the set of invertible elements. Then you have proved that $R\setminus I\subseteq U(R)$, which implies $I\supseteq R\setminus U(R)$; but you also know that $I\cap U(R)=\emptyset$, so $I\subseteq R\setminus U(R)$. Therefore $I=R\setminus U(R)$.

Now, it's easy to prove that $I$ is also a two-sided ideal: if $x\in I$ and $r\in R$, then $rx$ cannot be invertible, so it belongs to $I$.

Let $M$ be a maximal left ideal of $R$. Then no element of $M$ is invertible, which means $M\subseteq I$, because $I$ consists precisely of all non-invertible elements. By maximality of $M$, we conclude $M=I$.

• I edited my question... $I$ is not the unique maximal two-sided ideal, but the unique maximal right ideal. We use the same argument in this case, or not? – Mary Star Jun 20 '16 at 17:24
• @MaryStar Of course not. It's not the first time you ask a question and then change it. Please be more careful. – egreg Jun 20 '16 at 17:29
• @MaryStar However, the argument was easily fixed. – egreg Jun 20 '16 at 17:35