Functional identities of one variable

Let $A$ be a centrally closed prime algebra over a characteristic 0 field $k$, and let $q:A\to A$ be the trace of a $d$-linear map (i.e., $q(x)=M(x,...,x)$ where $M:A^d\to A$ is a $d$-linear map). If $[q(x),x]=0$ for every $x\in A$, then $q$ is of the form $q(x) =\sum_{i=0}^{d} \mu_i(x)x^i$ where each $\mu_i$ is the trace of a $(d-i)$-linear map from $A$ into $k$. For infinite dimensional algebras and algebras of dimension $>d^2$ this was proved by Lee, Lin, Wang, and Wong in 1997. In this paper we cover the remaining case where the dimension is $\le d^2$. Using this result we are able to handle general functional identities of one variable on $A$; more specifically, we describe the traces of $d$-linear maps $q_i:A\to A$ that satisfy $\sum_{i=0}^m x^i q_i(x)x^{m-i}\in k$ for every $x\in A$.Comment: 10 page

On Lie and associative algebras containing inner derivations

We describe subalgebras of the Lie algebra \mf{gl}(n^2) that contain all inner derivations of $A=M_n(F)$ (where $n\ge 5$ and $F$ is an algebraically closed field of characteristic 0). In a more general context where $A$ is a prime algebra satisfying certain technical restrictions, we establish a density theorem for the associative algebra generated by all inner derivations of $A$.Comment: 11 pages, accepted for publication in Linear Algebra App

Functional identities on matrix algebras

Complete solutions of functional identities $\sum_{k\in K}F_k(\bar{x}_m^k)x_k = \sum_{l\in L}x_lG_l(\bar{x}_m^l)$ on the matrix algebra $M_n(\mathbb{F})$ are given. The nonstandard parts of these solutions turn out to follow from the Cayley-Hamilton identity.Comment: 20 pages, comments welcome, version 2- applications have been adde

Lie Superautomorphisms on Associative Algebras, II

Lie superautomorphisms of prime associative superalgebras are considered. A definitive result is obtained for central simple superalgebras: their Lie superautomorphisms are of standard forms, except when the dimension of the superalgebra in question is 2 or 4.Comment: 19 pages, accepted for publication in Algebr. Represent. Theor

Quasi-identities on matrices and the Cayley-Hamilton polynomial

We consider certain functional identities on the matrix algebra $M_n$ that are defined similarly as the trace identities, except that the "coefficients" are arbitrary polynomials, not necessarily those expressible by the traces. The main issue is the question of whether such an identity is a consequence of the Cayley-Hamilton identity. We show that the answer is affirmative in several special cases, and, moreover, for every such an identity $P$ and every central polynomial $c$ with zero constant term there exists $m\in\mathbb{N}$ such that the affirmative answer holds for $c^mP$. In general, however, the answer is negative. We prove that there exist antisymmetric identities that do not follow from the Cayley-Hamilton identity, and give a complete description of a certain family of such identities.Comment: Version 2: 24 pages. This paper is a replacement of the paper "Quasi-identities and the Cayley-Hamilton quasi-polynomial" by the first and the third author. The changes are substantial. Version 3: 27 pages. The title has been changed slightly, the exposition improved, references added, and some typos remove