Multilinear 3-scalar polynomials on 3×3 matrices: structure, reduction to the reducible locus, and non-existence in degree at most seven

Kanel-Belov, Malev and Rowen reduced the L’vov–Kaplansky conjecture for 3×3 matrices over an algebraically closed field to six possible images. They asked whether a multilinear polynomial can take only 3-scalar values, that is, matrices with eigenvalues (β, βε, βε²) where ε is a primitive cube root of unity. A positive answer would disprove the conjecture. We work over algebraically closed fields of characteristic zero and prove the following. (i) Such a polynomial is an identity of M₂(K), has coefficient sum zero, and vanishes on a maximal parabolic subalgebra of M₃(K). (ii) If one exists, then one exists that vanishes on every tuple with a common invariant proper subspace. (iii) All of its values on oriented 3-cycles of matrix units lie on a single eigenvalue line. Under the hypothesis of (ii), these values vanish, and so do its values on pairs of 2-cycles sharing a vertex. The proofs use the fact that generic matrices have no zero divisors, together with exact coefficient relations extracted from the identity tr p² = 0. Combining these results with exact modular rank certificates, lifted to characteristic zero by a lattice argument, we show that no multilinear 3-scalar polynomial of degree at most seven exists. The degree-seven certificate is a rank computation of size 14,196. The remaining step for all degrees is isolated as a single statement about matrix-unit configurations: every Eulerian configuration of a 3-scalar polynomial that vanishes on the reducible locus is zero. The LaTeX source and the scripts that produce the certificates are included.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-11-07
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.24044803
Primary Topic
Rings, Modules, and Algebras
Type
preprint
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preprint

Multilinear 3-scalar polynomials on 3×3 matrices: structure, reduction to the reducible locus, and non-existence in degree at most seven

William Huanshan Chuang
4 links
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Rings, Modules, and Algebras
preprint

Multilinear 3-scalar polynomials on 3×3 matrices: structure, reduction to the reducible locus, and non-existence in degree at most seven

William Huanshan Chuang
preprint en

Abstract

Kanel-Belov, Malev and Rowen reduced the L’vov–Kaplansky conjecture for 3×3 matrices over an algebraically closed field to six possible images. They asked whether a multilinear polynomial can take only 3-scalar values, that is, matrices with eigenvalues (β, βε, βε²) where ε is a primitive cube root of unity. A positive answer would disprove the conjecture. We work over algebraically closed fields of characteristic zero and prove the following. (i) Such a polynomial is an identity of M₂(K), has coefficient sum zero, and vanishes on a maximal parabolic subalgebra of M₃(K). (ii) If one exists, then one exists that vanishes on every tuple with a common invariant proper subspace. (iii) All of its values on oriented 3-cycles of matrix units lie on a single eigenvalue line. Under the hypothesis of (ii), these values vanish, and so do its values on pairs of 2-cycles sharing a vertex. The proofs use the fact that generic matrices have no zero divisors, together with exact coefficient relations extracted from the identity tr p² = 0. Combining these results with exact modular rank certificates, lifted to characteristic zero by a lattice argument, we show that no multilinear 3-scalar polynomial of degree at most seven exists. The degree-seven certificate is a rank computation of size 14,196. The remaining step for all degrees is isolated as a single statement about matrix-unit configurations: every Eulerian configuration of a 3-scalar polynomial that vanishes on the reducible locus is zero. The LaTeX source and the scripts that produce the certificates are included.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Rings, Modules, and Algebras
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