On algebras satisfying $x^2x^2=N(x)x$

The commutative algebras satisfying the “adjoint identity”: , where N is a cubic form, are shown to be related to a class of generically algebraic Jordan algebras of degree at most 4 and to the pseudo-composition algebras. They are classified under a nondegeneracy condition. As byproducts, the associativity of the norm of any pseudo-composition algebra is proven and the unital commutative and power-associative algebras of degree are shown to be Jordan algebras. Received January 26, 1999; in final form August 26, 1999 / Published online July 3, 2000