Factor Algebras of Free Algebras: On a Problem of G. Bergman

Let A_n = K x₁,...,x_n be a free associative algebra over a fieldK. In this paper, examples are given of elements u A_n, n 3,such that the factor algebra of A_n over the ideal generatedby u is isomorphic to A_n–1, and yet u is not a primitiveelement of A_n (that is, it cannot be taken to x₁ by an automorphismof A_n). If the characteristic of the ground field K is 0, thisyields a negative answer to a question of G. Bergman. On theother hand, by a result of Drensky and Yu, there is no suchexample for n = 2. It should be noted that a similar questionfor polynomial algebras, known as the embedding conjecture ofAbhyankar and Sathaye, is a major open problem in affine algebraicgeometry. 2000 Mathematics Subject Classification 16S10, 16W20(primary); 14A05, 13B25 (secondary).