A bottom-up approach to Hilbert's Basis Theorem

Abstract

In this expositional paper, we discuss commutative algebra -- a study inspired by the properties of integers, rational numbers, and real numbers. In particular, we investigate rings and ideals, and their various properties. After, we introduce the polynomial ring and the fundamental relationship between polynomials and sets of points. We prove some results in algebraic geometry, notably Hilbert's Basis Theorem.