C HAPTER 2

N ONLINEAR GENERALIZED L IE TRIPLE DERIVATION

ON TRIANGULAR ALGEBRAS

2.1 Introduction

Let R be a commutative ring with unity and A be an algebra over R and

Z (A) be the center of A. For any a, b ∈ A, [ a, b] = ab − ba will denote the Lie
product and a ◦ b = ab + ba will denote the Jordan product. An R-linear map
L : A → A is said to be a Lie derivation (resp. Lie triple derivation) if L([ a, b]) =
[ L( a), b] + [ a, L(b)] (resp. L([[ a, b], c]) = [[ L( a), b], c] + [[ a, L(b)], c] + [[ a, b], L(c)])
holds for all a, b, c ∈ A. An R-linear map GL : A → A is called a generalized Lie
derivation (resp. generalized Lie triple derivation) if there exists a Lie deriva-
tion (resp. Lie triple derivation) L : A → A such that GL ([ a, b]) = [ GL ( a), b] +
[ a, L(b)] (resp. GL ([[ a, b], c]) = [[ GL ( a), b], c] + [[ a, L(b)], c] + [[ a, b], L(c)]) holds
for all a, b, c ∈ A. If the condition of linearity is dropped from the above defini-
tions, then the corresponding Lie derivation (resp. Lie triple derivation) and
generalized Lie derivation (resp. generalized Lie triple derivation) is called
nonlinear Lie derivation (resp. nonlinear Lie triple derivation) and nonlinear
generalized Lie derivation (resp. nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation)
respectively. Obviously, every derivation is a Lie derivation as well as a Jor-
dan derivation and every Lie derivation is a Lie triple derivation. Also, every
Lie triple derivation is a generalized Lie triple derivation. However, the con-
verse statements are not true in general. An important formula [[ a, b], c] =
a ◦ (b ◦ c) − b ◦ ( a ◦ c) for all a, b, c ∈ A, shows that every Jordan derivation
is also a Lie triple derivation. Therefore, studying Lie triple derivations en-
ables us to treat both important classes of Jordan and Lie derivations simulta-
neously. Several authors studied the Lie triple derivation on different algebras
(see [20, 41, 67, 71]) and found the structure of Lie triple derivation. In fact, in
most of the cases the authors obtained that a Lie triple derivation on a unital al-
gebra is proper, i.e., it can be expressed as a sum of additive derivation on it and

39
Chapter 2
a linear functional vanishing on all Lie triple products. Zhang et al. [71] studied
Lie triple derivation on nest algebras and showed that if N is an arbitrary nest
and L is a Lie triple derivation from nest algebra T (N ) into itself, then there
exist T ∈ T (N ) and a linear mapping τ from T (N ) into its center CI with
τ ([[ X, Y ], Z ]) = 0 for all X, Y, Z ∈ T (N ) such that L( X ) = XT − TX + τ ( X ) I
for all X ∈ T (N ).
During last few decades many authors investigated the additivity of multi-
plicative maps on several classes of rings and algebras. In the year 1969, Martin-
dale [50] initiated the study of additivity of multiplicative bijective maps from a
prime ring containing a nontrivial idempotent onto an arbitrary ring. Daif [26]
studied the additivity of multiplicative derivation1 on a 2-torsion free prime
ring containing a nontrivial idempotent. Yu and Zhang [70] proved that every
nonlinear Lie derivation of triangular algebras is the sum of an additive deriva-
tion and a map from triangular algebra into its center sending commutators to
zero under certain assumptions. Ji et al. [43] proved the similar result for non-
linear Lie triple derivation of triangular algebras.
Qi and Hou [52, 56] studied the additive generalized Lie derivation on nest
algebras as well as prime algebras2 and obtained that an additive map is an ad-
ditive generalized Lie derivation if and only if it is the sum of an additive gen-
eralized derivation and an additive map from the algebra into its center vanish-
ing all commutators. Benkovič [13] proved that under certain conditions each
generalized Lie derivation of a triangular algebra is the sum of a generalized
derivation and a central map which vanishes on all commutators of triangular
algebra. In Section 2.2 we prove this result for generalized Lie triple derivation
on triangular algebras and find that every generalized Lie triple derivation is
sum of an additive generalized derivation and a mapping from triangular al-
gebra into its centre which annihilates on all Lie triple products with certain
conditions on triangular algebra.
In the year 2000, Cheung [21, 23] studied the structure of derivations and Lie
derivations on triangular algebras. Also, Li and Shen [47] as well as Xiao and
Wei [67] discussed the structure of Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras.
In Section 2.3 we find the structure of generalized derivation and generalized
Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras. Motivated by Ji et al. [43], in Section
2.4 we study nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
and prove that under certain mild assumptions every nonlinear generalized Lie
triple derivation is sum of an additive generalized derivation and a mapping
1A map (not necessarily additive) d : R → R is said to be multiplicative derivation if
d( xy) = d( x )y + xd(y) for all x, y ∈ R.
2 An algebra A is said to be a prime algebra over a field F if for any A, B ∈ A, A A B = 0

implies A = 0 or B = 0.

40
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
from triangular algebra into its centre which annihilates on all Lie triple prod-
ucts. Section 2.4 gives the some easy consequences of the our results come in
previous sections.

2.2 Characterization of generalized Lie triple derivation

Many authors studied Lie triple derivations on different rings and algebras.
Recently, Xaio and Wei [67] studied Lie triple derivations of triangular algebras
and proved under certain restrictions on a triangular algebra A every Lie triple
derivation on A into itself is of standard form. We extend this result in the
setting of generalized Lie triple derivation. Actually, we prove the following
result:

Theorem 2.2.1. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of alge-

bras A, B over a commutative R and a faithful (A, B)-bimodule M. Suppose that A
satisfies the following conditions:

( I ) πA ( Z (A)) = Z (A) and πB ( Z (A)) = Z (B),

( I I ) For a, b ∈ A, if [ a, b] ∈ Z (A) then [ a, b] = 0.

Then every generalized Lie triple derivation GL : A → A is of the form GL = χ + γ,
where χ : A → A is an additive generalized derivation and γ is a mapping from A into
its centre which annihilates on all Lie triple products [[ a, b], c].

Remark 2.2.2. Suppose that L is associated Lie triple derivation of GL on A. In

view of [67], L is proper i.e., L = d + γ, where d is an additive derivation on
A and γ is a mapping from A into its centre which annihilates on all Lie triple
products [[ a, b], c]. Now, it can be easily seen that

L(0) = 0; L(M) ⊆ M;
L( p) ∈ M + Z (A); L(A) ⊆ A + M + Z (A);
L(q) ∈ M + Z (A); L(B) ⊆ B + M + Z (A).
In order to obtain our main result, we begin with the following lemmas:

Lemma 2.2.1. GL (0) = 0.

Proof. It can be easily seen that

GL (0) = GL ([[0, 0], 0])

= [[ GL (0), 0], 0] + [[0, L(0)], 0] + [[0, 0], L(0)]
= 0.

41
Chapter 2
Lemma 2.2.2. GL (M) ⊆ M.

Proof. For any m ∈ M, using Remark 2.2.2

GL (m) = GL ([[m, q], q])

= [[ GL (m), q], q] + [[m, L(q)], q] + [[m, q], L(q)]
= GL (m)q − 2qGL (m)q + qGL (m).

Multiplying the above expression by p and q on both sides, we find that

pGL (m) p = 0 and qGL (m)q = 0 respectively. This implies that GL (M) ⊆
M. 

Lemma 2.2.3. GL (A) ⊆ A + M + Z (A) and GL (B) ⊆ B + M + Z (A).

Proof. For any a ∈ A, b ∈ B and x ∈ A, we have

0 = GL ([[ a, b], x ])
= [[ GL ( a), b], x ] + [[ a, L(b)], x ] + [[ a, b], L( x )]
= [[ GL ( a), b], x ] + [[ a, L(b)], x ].

This implies that

[ GL ( a), b] + [ a, L(b)] ∈ Z (A).
Now, multiplying the above expression by q on both sides, we get
qGL ( a)q ∈ Z (B). In the similar manner on using [[b, a], x ] = 0, we obtain that
pGL (b) p ∈ Z (A). From ( I ), ξ ( pGL (b) p) = qGL ( a)q. Therefore,

GL ( a) = ( pGL ( a) p − ξ −1 (qGL ( a)q)) + pGL ( a)q + (ξ −1 (qGL ( a)q) + qGL ( a)q)

and

GL (b) = ( pGL (b) p + ξ ( pGL (b) p)) + pGL (b)q + (qGL (b)q − ξ ( pGL (b) p)),

i.e., GL (A) ⊆ A + M + Z (A) and GL (B) ⊆ B + M + Z (A). 

Remark 2.2.3. For any a ∈ A and b ∈ B , let us define γ1 ( a) = qGL ( a)q and
γ2 (b) = pGL (b) p. From Lemma 2.2.3 it follows that γ1 : A → qZ (A)q is a map
such that γ1 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0 for all a1 , a2 , a3 ∈ A and γ2 : B → pZ (A) p is a
map such that γ2 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0 for all b1 , b2 , b3 ∈ B . Now let us define the
map γ : A → Z (A) by

γ( x ) = γ1 ( pxp) + ξ −1 (γ1 ( pxp)) + γ2 (qxq) + ξ (γ2 (qxq)).

Obviously, γ( x ) ∈ Z (A) and γ([[ x, y], z]) = 0 for all x, y, z ∈ A.

Define another map χ : A → A as χ( x ) = GL ( x ) − γ( x ) for all x ∈ A. Now
from Lemmas 2.2.1, 2.2.2 and 2.2.3 it is easy to see that

42
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
Lemma 2.2.4. χ(0) = 0, χ(M) ⊆ M, χ(A) ⊆ A + M and χ(B) ⊆ B + M.

Lemma 2.2.5. For any a ∈ A, m ∈ M and b ∈ B , we have

(i ) χ( am) = χ( a)m + ad(m),

(ii ) χ(mb) = χ(m)b + md(b).

Proof. (i ) For any a ∈ A and m ∈ M, we get

χ( am) = GL ([[ a, m], q])

= [[ GL ( a), m], q] + [[ a, L(m)], q] + [[ a, m], L(q)]
= [[χ( a), m], q] + [[ a, d(m)], q] + [[ a, m], d(q)]
= χ( a)m + ad(m).

(ii ) Similar to (i ). 

Lemma 2.2.6. For any a1 , a2 ∈ A and b1 , b2 ∈ B , we have

( i ) χ ( a1 a2 ) = χ ( a1 ) a2 + a1 d ( a2 ),

(ii ) χ(b1 b2 ) = χ(b1 )b2 + b1 d(b2 ).

Proof. (i ) Applying Lemma 2.2.5, for any a1 , a2 ∈ A and m ∈ M, we arrive at

χ ( a1 a2 m ) = χ ( a1 a2 ) m + a1 a2 d ( m ). (2.2.1)

On the other hand,

χ ( a1 a2 m ) = χ ( a1 ) a2 m + a1 d ( a2 m )
= χ( a1 ) a2 m + a1 a2 d(m) + a1 d( a2 )m. (2.2.2)

Combining (2.2.1) and (2.2.2), we get

{χ( a1 a2 ) − χ( a1 ) a2 − a1 d( a2 )}m = 0.

Since M is faithful as left A-module, Lemma 2.2.3 implies that

{χ( a1 a2 ) − χ( a1 ) a2 − a1 d( a2 )} p = 0. (2.2.3)

Note that for any a2 ∈ A, we have

0 = χ([[ a2 , q], q])

= [[ GL ( a2 ), q], q] + [[ a2 , L(q)], q] + [[ a2 , q], L(q)]
= [[χ( a2 ), q], q] + [[ a2 , d(q)], q]
= χ ( a2 ) q + a2 d ( q ). (2.2.4)

43
Chapter 2
Now replace a2 by a1 a2 and multiply by a1 from right to (2.2.4) respectively, we
find that
0 = χ ( a1 a2 ) q + a1 a2 d ( q ) (2.2.5)
and
0 = a1 χ ( a2 ) q + a1 a2 d ( q ). (2.2.6)
On combining (2.2.5) and (2.2.6), we obtain that

{χ( a1 a2 ) − χ( a1 ) a2 − a1 d( a2 )}q = 0. (2.2.7)

Adding (2.2.3) and (2.2.7) we get the required result.

(ii ) Similar to (i ). 

Now we are ready to prove Theorem 2.2.1.

Proof of Theorem 2.2.1. For any x, y ∈ A. Suppose that x = a1 + m1 + b1 and

y = a2 + m2 + b2 where a1 , a2 ∈ A, b1 , b2 ∈ B and m1 , m2 ∈ M. From Lemmas
2.2.5 and 2.2.6, we find that

χ( xy) = χ( a1 a2 + a1 m2 + m1 b2 + b1 b2 )
= χ( a1 a2 ) + χ( a1 m2 + m1 b2 ) + χ(b1 b2 )
= χ ( a1 ) a2 + a1 d ( a2 ) + χ ( a1 ) m2 + a1 d ( m2 )
+χ(m1 )b2 + m1 d(b2 ) + χ(b1 )b2 + b1 d(b2 )
= (χ( a1 ) + χ(m1 ) + χ(b1 ))( a2 + m2 + b2 )
+( a1 + m1 + b1 )(d( a2 ) + d(m2 ) + d(b2 ))
= χ( x )y + xd(y).

This shows that χ is an additive generalized derivation with associated deriva-

tion d. Hence, this proves the required result. 

The following result is an easy consequence of our theorem:

Corollary 2.2.4. [13, Theorem 3.6] Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra
consisting of algebras A, B and a faithful (A, B)-bimodule M. Suppose that A satisfies
the following conditions:

(i ) πA ( Z (A)) = Z (A) and πB ( Z (A)) = Z (B),

(ii ) For a, b ∈ A, if [ a, b] ∈ Z (A), then [ a, b] = 0.

Then every generalized Lie derivation GL : A → A is of the form GL = χ + γ, where

χ : A → A is an additive generalized derivation and γ is a mapping from A into its
centre which annihilates all commutators of A.

Applying Theorem 2.2.1 to nest algebra, we have the following corollaries:

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 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
Corollary 2.2.5. [71, Theorem 2.1] Let N be an arbitrary nest and L be a Lie triple
derivation from nest algebra T (N ) into itself. Then there exist T ∈ T (N ) and a linear
mapping γ from T (N ) into CI with γ([[ X, Y ], Z ]) = 0 for all X, Y, Z ∈ T (N ) such
that L( X ) = XT − TX + γ( X ) I for all X ∈ T (N ).

Corollary 2.2.6. Let N be a nest of a Banach space X, T (N ) be a nest algebra and GL :

T (N ) → T (N ) be a generalized Lie triple derivation. If there exists N ∈ N \ {0, X }
which is complemented in X, then GL = χ + γ, where χ : T (N ) → T (N ) is an
additive generalized derivation and γ : T (N ) → FI is a linear map that vanishes on
all commutators of T (N ).

2.3 Structure of generalized Lie triple derivation

In the year 2000, Cheung [21, 23] studied the structure of derivations and Lie
derivations on triangular algebras. Motivated by this study Li and Shen [47] as
well as Xiao and Wei [67] discussed the form of Lie triple derivation on triangu-
lar algebras. In this section we find the structure of generalized derivation and
generalized Lie triple derivation on a triangular algebras. In order to obtain our
result we begin with some important results:

Lemma 2.3.1. [21, Theorem 2.2.1] Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra
consisting of algebras A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every derivation d on A
has the form " # " #
a m u1 ( a) an0 − n0 b + w2 (m)
d = ,
0 b 0 v3 ( b )
where a ∈ A; m, n0 ∈ M; b ∈ B and u1 : A → A, w2 : M → M, v3 : B → B are
linear mappings such that

(i ) u1 is a derivation on A and w2 ( am) = u1 ( a)m + aw2 (m) for all a ∈ A and

m ∈ M,

(ii ) v3 is a derivation on B and w2 (mb) = mv3 (b) + w2 (m)b for all b ∈ B and
m ∈ M.

Lemma 2.3.2. [47, Proposition 4.1] Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra
consisting of algebras A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every Lie triple deriva-
tion L on A has the form
" # " #
a m f 1 ( a) + g1 (b) am0 − m0 b + h2 (m)
L = ,
0 b 0 f 3 ( a ) + g3 ( b )

where a ∈ A; m, m0 ∈ M; b ∈ B and f 1 : A → A, g1 : B → Z (A),

h2 : M → M, f 3 : A → Z (B), g3 : B → B are linear mappings such that

45
Chapter 2
(i ) f 1 is a Lie triple derivation on A, [[ f 3 ( a), b1 ], b2 ] = 0, f 3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0 and
h2 ( am) = f 1 ( a)m − m f 3 ( a) + ah2 (m) for all a, a1 , a2 ∈ A; b1 , b2 ∈ B and
m ∈ M,

(ii ) g3 is a Lie triple derivation on B , [[ g1 (b), a1 ], a2 ] = 0, g1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0 and

h2 (mb) = mg3 (b) − g1 (b)m + h2 (m)b for all a1 , a2 ∈ A; b, b1 , b2 ∈ B and
m ∈ M.
Now we prove the following:
Proposition 2.3.1. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of alge-
bras A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every generalized derivation δ on A has
the form " # " #
a m U1 ( a) an0 − n00 b + W2 (m)
δ = ,
0 b 0 V3 ( b )
where a ∈ A; m, n0 , n00 ∈ M; b ∈ B and U1 : A → A, W2 : M → M, V3 : B → B
are linear mappings such that
(i ) U1 is a generalized derivation on A and W2 ( am) = U1 ( a)m + aW2 (m) for all
a ∈ A and m ∈ M,

(ii ) V3 is a generalized derivation on B and W2 (mb) = mV3 (b) + W2 (m)b for all
b ∈ B and m ∈ M.
Proof. Let us assume that
" # " #
a m U1 ( a ) + V1 ( b ) + W1 ( m ) U2 ( a ) − V2 ( b ) + W2 ( m )
δ = ,
0 b 0 U3 ( a ) + V3 ( b ) + W3 ( m )
where a ∈ A, m ∈ M, b ∈ B and U1 : A → A, V1 : B → A, W1 : M → A,
U2 : A → M, V2 : B → M, W2 : M → M, U3 : A → B , V3 : B → B , W3 : M →
B are linear mappings. Assume that δ is a generalized derivation with associ-
# d on A,
ated "derivation ( xy) = δ( x )y + xd(y) for all x, y ∈ A. Consider
" i.e., δ#
a 0 1 0
x= and y = and use Lemma 2.3.1, to get
0 0 0 0
" # " #" # " #" #
U1 ( a ) U2 ( a ) U1 ( a ) U2 ( a ) 1 0 a 0 0 n0
= + .
0 U3 ( a ) 0 U3 ( a ) 0 0 0 0 0 0
This implies that U3 ( a) = 0 and U2 ( a) = an0 . Put a = 1, then we find that
U3 (1) = 0 and U2 (1) = n0 . " #
0 0
If we suppose that x = and y = q, we have V1 (b) = 0. Again,
0 b
" #
0 0
if we take x = q and y = , then V2 (b) = −n00 b, where V2 (1) = n00
0 b

46
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
" #
0 m
and V3 (b) = V3 (1)b + v3 (b). Now assume that x = p and y = , then
0 0
we obtain
" # W2 (m) = U1 (1)m + w2 (m) and W3 (m) = 0. Also, if we take
that
0 m
x= and y = q, then W1 (m) = 0.
0 0
" # " #
a1 0 a2 0
Suppose that x = and y = . Then we find that
0 0 0 0
U1 ( a1 a2 ) = U1 ( a1 ) a2 + a1 u1 ( a2 ), i.e. U1 is generalized derivation on A. This im-
plies that U1 (1) = 0 and hence W2 (m) = w2 (m) and U1 ( a) = u1 ( a). Similarly,
we have V3 (b1 b2 ) = V3 (b1 )b2 + b1 v3 (b2 ), i.e.; V3 is generalized derivation " on B#.
a 0
This implies that U1 (1) = 0 and hence V3 (b) = v3 (b). Consider x =
0 0
" #
0 m
and y = , to get W2 ( am) = U1 ( a)m + aW2 (m). Similarly, on taking
0 0
" # " #
0 m 0 0
x= and y = , we arrive at W2 (mb) = W2 (m)b + mV3 (b).
0 0 0 b
Conversely, suppose that δ has the form
" # " #
a m U1 ( a) an0 − n00 b + W2 (m)
δ = ,
0 b 0 V3 ( b )

where W2 (m) = w2 (m), V3 (b) = v3 (b) and satisfying assumption (i ) and (ii ).
Therefore,
" #" # " # " #
a1 m1 a2 m2 a1 m1 a2 m2
δ + d
0 b1 0 b2 0 b1 0 b2
" #" #
0
U1 ( a1 ) a1 n0 − n0 b1 + W2 (m1 ) a2 m2
=
0 V3 (b1 ) 0 b2
" #" #
a1 m1 U1 ( a2 ) a2 n0 − n0 b2 + w2 (m2 )
+
0 b1 0 v3 (b2 )
U1 ( a1 ) a2 + a1 u1 ( a2 ) U1 ( a1 )m2 − n00 b1 b2 + W2 (m1 )b2 + a1 a2 n0
 
 + a1 w2 (m2 ) + m1 v3 (b2 ) 
= 
 

 
" 0 V3 (b1 )b2 + b1 v3#(b2 )
0
U1 ( a1 a2 ) a1 a2 n0 − n0 b1 b2 + W2 ( a1 m2 + m1 b2 )
=
0 V3 (b1 b2 )
" #
a1 a2 a1 m2 + m1 b2
= δ .
0 b1 b2

47
Chapter 2
Since M is faithful, the condition U1 and V3 is a generalized derivation on A
and B respectively can be dropped and hence we get the following:

Corollary 2.3.2. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of algebras

A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every generalized derivation δ on A has the
form " # " #
a m 0
U1 ( a) an0 − n0 b + W2 (m)
δ = ,
0 b 0 V3 ( b )
where a ∈ A; m, n0 , n00 ∈ M; b ∈ B and U1 : A → A, W2 : M → M, V3 : B → B
are linear mappings such that

(i ) W2 ( am) = U1 ( a)m + aW2 (m) for all a ∈ A and m ∈ M,

(ii ) W2 (mb) = mV3 (b) + W2 (m)b for all b ∈ B and m ∈ M.

Proof. Assume that (i ) is satisfied. Then we find that

W 2 ( a 1 a 2 m ) = U 1 ( a 1 ) m + a 1 w2 ( a 2 m )
= U 1 ( a 1 ) m + a 1 u 1 ( a 2 ) m + a 1 a 2 w2 ( m ) .
On the other hand,

W 2 ( a 1 a 2 m ) = U 1 ( a 1 a 2 ) m + a 1 a 2 w2 ( m ) .

From above two expressions, we get that U1 is generalized derivation on A.

Similarly, we can show that V3 is generalized derivation on B . 

Now we are in position to prove our result:

Theorem 2.3.3. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of algebras

A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every generalized Lie triple derivation GL on
A has the form
" # " #
a m F1 ( a) + G1 (b) am0 − m0 b + H2 (m)
GL = ,
0 b 0 F3 ( a ) + G3 ( b )

where a ∈ A; m, m0 ∈ M; b ∈ B and F1 : A → A, G1 : B → Z (A),

H2 : M → M, F3 : A → Z (B), G3 : B → B are linear mappings satisfying

(i ) F1 is a generalized Lie triple derivation on A, [[F3 ( a), b1 ], b2 ] = 0,

F3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0 and H2 ( am) = F1 ( a)m − mF3 ( a) + aH2 (m) for all
a, a1 , a2 ∈ A; b1 , b2 ∈ B and m ∈ M,

(ii ) G3 is a generalized Lie triple derivation on B , [[G1 (b), a1 ], a2 ] = 0,

G1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0 and H2 (mb) = mG3 (b) − G1 (b)m + H2 (m)b for all
a1 , a2 ∈ A; b, b1 , b2 ∈ B and m ∈ M.

48
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
Proof. Let us assume that
" # " #
a m F1 ( a ) + G1 ( b ) + H1 ( m ) F2 ( a ) + G2 ( b ) + H2 ( m )
GL = ,
0 b 0 F3 ( a ) + G3 ( b ) + H3 ( m )

where a ∈ A, m ∈ M, b ∈ B and F1 : A → A, G1 : B → A, H1 : M →
A, F2 : A → M, G2 : B → M, H2 : M → M, F3 : A → B , G3 : B → B , H3 :
M → B are linear mappings. Since GL is a generalized Lie triple derivation
with associated Lie triple derivation L on A. That is

GL ([[ x, y], z]) = [[ GL ( x ), y], z] + [[ x, L(y)], z] + [[ x, y], L(z)]

" #
0 m
for all x, y, z ∈ A. Consider x = , y = p and z = p and using Lemma
0 0
2.3.2, we have
" #
H1 ( m ) H2 ( m )
= [[ GL ( x ), y], z] + [[ x, L(y)], z] + [[ x, y], L(z)]
0 H3 ( m )
" #
0 H2 (m) + 2 f 1 (1)m − 2m f 3 (1)
= .
0 0
" #
0 m
This implies that H1 (m) = 0 = H3 (m). Similarly, put x = p, y = and
0 0
z = q, to get H2 (m) = h2" ( m ). # " # " #
a1 0 a2 0 a3 0
Now consider x = ,y = and z = . Then
0 0 0 0 0 0
we find that F1 is generalized Lie triple derivation on A, F3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0
and taking
" a1# = a, a"2 = 1, a#3 = 1, we"find that # F2 ( a) = am0 . Similarly, put
0 0 0 0 0 0
x= ,y = and z = . Then we find that G3 is gen-
0 b1 0 b2 0 b3
eralized Lie triple derivation on A, G1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0 and taking b1 = b, b2 =
1, b3 = 1, we find that " G2 ( a)#= −m" 0 b. # " #
a 0 0 0 0 0
Let us take x = ,y = and z = . It follows that
0 0 0 b1 0 b2
[[F3 ("a), b1 ], b#
2 ] = "0 implies # that F"3 (A) # ⊆ Z (B). Similarly, if we put
a1 0 a2 0 0 0
x= ,y = and z = , then we get that
0 0 0 0 0 b
[[G1 (b), a1 ], a2 ] = 0 implies that" F1 (B) # ⊆ Z (A)" . # " #
a 0 0 m 0 0
Now suppose that x = ,y = and z = , then
0 0 0 0 0 q
we obtain that H2 ( am) = F1 ( a)m − mF3 ( a) + aH2 (m). Similarly, if we put

49
Chapter 2
" # " # " #
0 0 0 m 0 0
x= ,y = and z = , then we find that
0 b 0 0 0 q
H2 (mb) = mG3 (b) − G1 (b)m + H2 (m)b.
Conversely, suppose that GL has the form
" # " #
a m F1 ( a) + G1 (b) am0 − m0 b + H2 (m)
GL =
0 b 0 F3 ( a ) + G3 ( b )

holding (i ) and (ii ). Then it can be easily seen that it satisfies

GL ([[ x, y], z]) = [[ GL ( x ), y], z] + [[ x, L(y)], z] + [[ x, y], L(z)]

for all x, y, z ∈ A. 

Since M is faithful, the conditions F3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0 and G1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) =

0 in the above theorem can be omitted.

Corollary 2.3.4. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of algebras

A, B and an (A, B)-bimodule M. Then every generalized Lie triple derivation GL on
A has the form
" # " #
a m F1 ( a) + G1 (b) am0 − m0 b + H2 (m)
GL = ,
0 b 0 F3 ( a ) + G3 ( b )

where a ∈ A, m, m0 ∈ M, b ∈ B and F1 : A → A, G1 : B → Z (A),

H2 : M → M, F3 : A → Z (B), G3 : B → B are linear mappings satisfying

(i ) F1 is a generalized Lie triple derivation on A, [[F3 ( a), b1 ], b2 ] = 0 and

H2 ( am) = F1 ( a)m − mF3 ( a) + aH2 (m) for all a, a1 , a2 ∈ A; b1 , b2 ∈ B and
m ∈ M,

(ii ) G3 is a generalized Lie triple derivation on B , [[G1 (b), a1 ], a2 ] = 0 and

H2 (mb) = mG3 (b) − G1 (b)m + H2 (m)b for all a1 , a2 ∈ A; b, b1 , b2 ∈ B and
m ∈ M.

Proof. It is sufficient to show that if M is faithful, then F3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0 and

G1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0. Consider any a1 , a2 , a3 ∈ A and m ∈ M, we have

H2 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]m) = F1 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ])m − mF3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ])

+[[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]H2 (m)
= F1 ( a1 ) a2 a3 m − a2 F1 ( a1 ) a3 m − a3 F1 ( a1 ) a2 m
+ a3 a2 F1 ( a1 ) m + a1 f 1 ( a2 ) a3 m − f 1 ( a2 ) a1 a3 m
− a3 a1 f 1 ( a2 ) m + a3 f 1 ( a2 ) a1 m + a1 a2 f 1 ( a3 ) m
− a2 a1 f 1 ( a3 ) m − f 1 ( a3 ) a1 a2 m + f 1 ( a3 ) a2 a1 m
−mF3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) + [[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]H2 (m).

50
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
On the other hand

H2 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]m) = H2 {( a1 a2 a3 − a2 a1 a3 − a3 a1 a2 + a3 a2 a1 )m}

= F1 ( a1 ) a2 a3 m + a1 f 1 ( a2 ) a3 m + a1 a2 f 1 ( a3 ) m
+ a1 a2 a3 H2 ( m ) − f 1 ( a2 ) a1 a3 m − a2 F1 ( a1 ) a3 m
− a2 a1 f 1 ( a3 ) m − a2 a1 a3 H2 ( m ) − f 1 ( a3 ) a1 a2 m
− a3 F1 ( a1 ) a2 m − a3 a1 f 1 ( a2 ) m − a3 a1 a2 H2 ( m )
+ f 1 ( a3 ) a2 a1 m + a3 f 1 ( a2 ) a1 m
+ a3 a2 F1 ( a1 ) m + a3 a2 a1 H2 ( m ).

On comparing the above two expressions, we get mF3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0. As M

is faithful as left B module it follows that F3 ([[ a1 , a2 ], a3 ]) = 0. Similarly, we find
that G1 ([[b1 , b2 ], b3 ]) = 0. 

Theorem 2.3.5. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of algebras

A, B and a faithful (A, B)-bimodule M. Then a generalized Lie triple derivation GL
has the standard form if and only if πA ( GL (B)) ⊆ πA ( Z (A)) and πB ( GL (A)) ⊆
πB ( Z (A)) where A and B are treated as subalgebras of A. That means GL is proper if
and only if G1 (B) ⊆ πA ( Z (A)) and F3 (A) ⊆ πB ( Z (A)), where G1 : B → Z (A)
and F3 : A → Z (B)

Proof. Let us assume GL has the standard form, i.e.; GL = δ + τ, where δ is an

additive generalized derivation and τ (A) ⊆ Z (A). Suppose that
" # " #
a m k1 ( a) + k2 (m) + k3 (b) 0
τ = .
0 b 0 l1 ( a ) + l2 ( m ) + l3 ( b )

Also by Proposition 2.3.1,

" # " #
a m U1 ( a) an0 − n0 b + W2 (m)
δ = .
0 b 0 V3 ( b )

Using the structure of generalized Lie triple derivation, we obtain that

F1 = U1 + k1 , k2 = 0, G1 = k3 ; n0 = m0 , H2 = W2 ; F3 = l1 , l2 = 0 and
G3 = V3 + l3 . For any b ∈ B , we get
" #!
0 0
G1 ( b ) = k 3 ( b ) = π A τ ∈ πA ( Z (A))
0 b

and for any a ∈ A, we have

" #!
a 0
F 3 ( a ) = l1 ( a ) = π B τ ∈ πB ( Z (A)).
0 0

51
Chapter 2
Conversely, let us take G1 (B) ⊆ πA ( Z (A)) and F3 (A) ⊆ πB ( Z (A)). Now we
define
" # " #
a m F1 ( a) − ξ −1 (F3 ( a)) am0 − m0 b + H2 (m)
δ =
0 b 0 G3 (b) − ξ (G1 (b))

and " # " #

a m ξ −1 (F3 ( a)) + G1 (b) 0
τ = .
0 b 0 F3 ( a) + ξ (G1 (b))
It can be easily seen that δ is an additive generalized derivation and
τ (A) ⊆ Z (A). 

Now we present an example of a triangular algebra which has nonstandard

form of generalized Lie triple derivation.

Example 2.3.6. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra where

  

 0 x y 

A = B = M =  0 0 z  x, y, z ∈ Z2 .
 
 
0 0 0
 

Define a map GL : A → A such that

   
0 a b 0 x y 0 0 0 0 x y
 0 0 c 0 0 z 0 0 0 0 0 z
   
  
   
 0 0 0 0 0 0   0 0 0 0 0 0 
L   =  .
 0 0 0 0 u v   0 0 0 0 0 0 
   
 0 0 0 0 0 w 0 0 0 0 0 0
   
  
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Now define a map GL : A → A such that

   
0 a b 0 x y 0 u v 0 0 0
 0 0 c 0 0 z   0 0 w 0 0 0
   

   
 0 0 0 0 0 0   =  0 0 0 0 0 0
  
GL   .
 0
 0 0 0 u v    0 0 0
  0 a b 

 0 0 0 0 0 w   0 0 0 0 0 c
   

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Then GL is a generalized Lie triple derivation associated with Lie triple deriva-
tion L : A → A. But GL has no standard form.

Proof. For any x, y, z ∈ A, it can be easily seen that

GL ([[ x, y], z]) = 0 = [[ GL ( x ), y], z] + [[ x, L(y)], z] + [[ x, y], L(z)].

52
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
This implies that GL is a generalized Lie triple derivation with associated Lie
triple derivation L on A. Note that
  

 0 0 a 

πA ( Z (A)) = πB ( Z (A)) =  0 0 0  a ∈ Z2 .
 
 
0 0 0
 

 
0 u v
Since πA ( GL (B)) =  0 0 w  ∈
/ πA ( Z (A)) and hence in view Theorem 2.3.5
 

0 0 0
GL has no standard form. 

2.4 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation

In the year 2012, Ji et al. [43] studied nonlinear Lie triple derivation on trian-
gular algebra and proved that under some mild conditions on A , if L : A → A
is a nonlinear mapping satisfying L([[ x, y], z]) = [[ L( x ), y], z] + [[ x, L(y)], z] +
[[ x, y], L(z)] for any x, y, z ∈ A, then L = d + τ where d is an additive derivation
of A and τ : A → Z (A) (where Z (A) is the centre of A ) is a map vanishing at
Lie triple products [[ x, y], z]. By using the inference of Theorem 2.2.1, we extend
this study for nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on A and obtained the
following result:

Theorem 2.4.1. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of alge-

bras A, B and a faithful (A, B)-bimodule M. Suppose that A satisfies the following
conditions:

(1) πA ( Z (A)) = Z (A) and πB ( Z (A)) = Z (B),

(2) For a, b ∈ A, if [ a, b] ∈ Z (A) then [ a, b] = 0.

Then every nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation GL : A → A is of the form

GL = δ + τ, where δ : A → A is an additive generalized derivation and τ is a mapping
from A into its centre which annihilates all Lie triple products [[ a, b], c].

In order to obtain our result, we use Lemmas 2.2.1-2.2.6 which are still valid in
the present situation and in continuity prove some more lemmas which are as
follows:

Lemma 2.4.1. For any a ∈ A, m ∈ M and b ∈ B , we have

( i ) χ ( a + m ) − χ ( a ) − χ ( m ) ∈ Z (A),

(ii ) χ(m + b) − χ(m) − χ(b) ∈ Z (A).

53
Chapter 2
Proof. (i ) For any a ∈ A and m, n ∈ M, we have

χ( an) = GL ([[ a + m, n], q])

= [[ GL ( a + m), n], q] + [[ a + m, L(n)], q] + [[ a + m, n], L(q)]
= [[χ( a + m), n], q] + [[ a + m, d(n)], q]
= [[χ( a + m), n], q] + ad(n). (2.4.1)

On the other hand

χ( an) = χ( a)n + ad(n). (2.4.2)

Combining (2.4.1) and (2.4.2), we obtain

[[χ( a + m) − χ( a), n], q] = 0.

" #
a1 m1
Let us assume that χ( a + m) − χ( a) = , where a1 ∈ A, m1 ∈ M and
0 b1
b1 ∈ B . Therefore,

χ( a + m) − χ( a) − p{χ( a + m) − χ( a)}q ∈ Z (A). (2.4.3)

For any a ∈ A and m ∈ M, it is easy to observe that

p{χ( a + m) − χ( a)}q = [[χ( a + m) − χ( a), p], p]

= [[ GL ( a + m), p], p] − [[ GL ( a), p], p]
= GL ([[ a + m, p], p]) − [[ a + m, L( p)], p]
− GL ([[ a, p], p]) + [[ a, L( p)], p]
= GL ([[m, p], p])
= χ ( m ).

Thus from (2.4.3), it follows that χ( a + m) − χ( a) − χ(m) ∈ Z (A) for all a ∈ A

and m ∈ M.
(ii ) Similar to (i ). 

Lemma 2.4.2. χ is additive on A, M and B .

Proof. For any m ∈ M, we find that

χ(m) = GL ([[ p, m], q])

= [[ GL ( p), m], q] + [[ p, L(m)], q] + [[ p, m], L(q)]
= [[χ( p), m], q] + [[ p, d(m)], q] + [[ p, m], d(q)].

This implies that

pχ(m)q = pχ( p) pm − mqχ( p)q + pd(m)q. (2.4.4)

54
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
Now, using Lemmas 2.2.4 and 2.4.1 and the relation (2.4.4) for any m, n ∈ M,
we have

χ(m + n) = GL ([[ p + m, q + n], q])

= [[ GL ( p + m), q + n], q] + [[ p + m, L(q + n)], q]
+[[ p + m, q + n], L( p)]
= [[χ( p + m), q + n], q] + [[ p + m, d(q + n)], q]
= pχ( p) pn + pχ(m)q − nqχ( p)q + pd(n)q
= pχ(m)q + pχ(n)q
= χ ( m ) + χ ( n ). (2.4.5)

Also, from Lemma 2.2.5 and (2.4.5), for any a1 , a2 ∈ A and m ∈ M, we obtain
that
χ(( a1 + a2 )m) = χ( a1 + a2 )m + ( a1 + a2 )d(m). (2.4.6)
On the other hand,

χ(( a1 + a2 )m) = χ( a1 m) + χ( a2 m)
= χ ( a1 ) m + a1 d ( m ) + χ ( a2 ) m + a2 d ( m ). (2.4.7)

Now from (2.4.6) and (2.4.7), we find that

{χ( a1 + a2 ) − χ( a1 ) − χ( a2 )}m = 0.

Since M is faithful as a left A-module and using Lemma 2.2.4, the above ex-
pression implies that

{χ( a1 + a2 ) − χ( a1 ) − χ( a2 )} p = 0. (2.4.8)

Replace a2 by a1 and a1 + a2 in (2.2.4) respectively, we get

0 = χ ( a1 ) q + a1 d ( q ) (2.4.9)

and
0 = χ ( a1 + a2 ) q + ( a1 + a2 ) d ( q ). (2.4.10)
On combining (2.2.4), (2.4.9) and (2.4.10), we have

{χ( a1 + a2 ) − χ( a1 ) − χ( a2 )}q = 0. (2.4.11)

From (2.4.8) and (2.4.11), we get that

χ ( a1 + a2 ) = χ ( a1 ) + χ ( a2 ).

That is χ is additive on A. In the similar manner, we can show that χ is additive

on B . 

55
Chapter 2
Lemma 2.4.3. For any a ∈ A, m ∈ M and b ∈ B , we have χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) −
χ ( m ) − χ ( b ) ∈ Z (A).

Proof. First, we have to show that χ(−m) = −χ(m) for all m ∈ M. Note that
−m = [[m, p], q], so that

χ(−m) = GL ([[m, p], q])

= [[ GL (m), p], q] + [[m, L( p)], q] + [[m, p], L(q)]
= [[χ(m), p], q]
= − χ ( m ). (2.4.12)

Consider

χ( am0 − m0 b) = GL ([[ a + m + b, m0 ], q])

= [[ GL ( a + m + b), m0 ], q] + [[ a + m + b, L(m0 )], q]
+[[ a + m + b, m0 ], L(q)]
= [[χ( a + m + b), m0 ], q] + [[ a + b, d(m0 )], q]. (2.4.13)

On the other way, using (2.4.12) and Lemma 2.4.2

χ( am0 − m0 b) = χ( am0 ) − χ(m0 b)

= χ( a)m0 + ad(m0 ) − χ(m0 )b − m0 d(b). (2.4.14)

From (2.4.13) and (2.4.14), we have

[[χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b), m0 ], q] = 0.
" #
a1 m1
Let us assume that χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b) = . Now it is easy to
0 b1
see that

χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b) − p{χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b)}q ∈ Z (A). (2.4.15)

Now we observe that

p{χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b)}q
= [[χ( a + m + b) − χ( a) − χ(b), p], p]
= [[ GL ( a + m + b), p], p] − [[ GL ( a), p], p] − [[ GL (b), p], p]
= GL ([[ a + m + b, p], p]) − [[ a + m + b, L( p)], p] − GL ([[ a, p], p])
+[[ a, L( p)], p] − GL ([[b, p], p]) + [[b, L( p)], p]
= χ ( m ).
Therefore,
χ ( a + m + b ) − χ ( a ) − χ ( m ) − χ ( b ) ∈ Z (A)
for all a ∈ A, m ∈ M and b ∈ B . 

56
 Nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation on triangular algebras
Remark 2.4.2. In view of Lemma 2.4.3, we define a map φ : A → Z (A) by

φ( x ) = χ( x ) − χ( pxp) − χ( pxq) − χ(qxq) for all x ∈ A

and φ([[ x, y], z]) = 0 for all x, y, z ∈ A. Clearly, φ( x ) ∈ Z (A) and φ(A) =
φ(M) = φ(B) = 0. Now, define another map δ : A → A by δ( x ) = χ( x ) − φ( x )
for all x ∈ A. It is easy to observe that

δ( a + m + b) = δ( a) + δ(m) + δ(b)

for all a ∈ A, m ∈ M and b ∈ B . Then

GL ( x ) = χ( x ) + γ( x ) = δ( x ) + φ( x ) + γ( x ) = δ( x ) + τ ( x )

for all x ∈ A, where γ + φ = τ.

Now we are in a position to prove our main result:

Proof of Theorem 2.4.1. For any x, y ∈ A. Suppose that x = a1 + m1 + b1 and

y = a2 + m2 + b2 where a1 , a2 ∈ A, b1 , b2 ∈ B and m1 , m2 ∈ M.

δ( x + y) = δ( a1 + m1 + b1 + a2 + m2 + b2 )
= δ( a1 + a2 ) + δ(m1 + m2 ) + δ(b1 + b2 )
= χ( a1 ) + χ(m1 ) + χ(b1 ) + χ( a2 ) + χ(m2 ) + χ(b2 )
= δ( a1 + m1 + b1 ) + δ( a2 + m2 + b2 )
= δ ( x ) + δ ( y ).

Thus, δ is additive on A. From the proof of Theorem 2.2.1, it is easy to see that
δ( xy) = δ( x )y + xd(y) and τ ([[ x, y], z]) = 0 for all x, y, z ∈ A which complete
the proof of our result. 

As a consequence of Theorem 2.4.1, we have the following result:

Corollary 2.4.3. Let A = Tri (A, M, B) be a triangular algebra consisting of alge-

bras A, B and a faithful (A, B)-bimodule M. Suppose that A satisfies the following
conditions:

(i ) πA ( Z (A)) = Z (A) and πB ( Z (A)) = Z (B),

(ii ) For a, b ∈ A, if [ a, b] ∈ Z (A), then [ a, b] = 0.

Then every nonlinear generalized Lie derivation GL : A → A is of the form GL = δ + τ,

where δ : A → A is an additive generalized derivation and τ is a mapping from A into
its centre which annihilates on all commutators of A.

57
Chapter 2
2.5 Applications

In this section we give some applications of Theorem 2.4.1 to certain special

classes of triangular algebras such as nest algebras and block upper triangular
matrix algebras and obtain the following results:

Theorem 2.5.1. Let X be an infinite dimensional Banach space over the real or complex
field F, N be a nest on X which contains a nontrivial element complemented in X and
T (N ) be a nest algebra. Let GL : T (N ) → T (N ) be a nonlinear Lie triple derivation.
Then there exists an operator T ∈ T (N ) and τ : T (N ) → FI a functional that van-
ishes on all second commutators of T (N ) such that
GL ( A) = AT − TA + τ ( A) I for all A ∈ T (N ).

Proof. Let N ∈ N be the complemented element. Then T (N ) = Tri (A, M, B)

is a triangular algebra. Since all algebras T (N ), A, B are central and it is easily
seen that both conditions πA ( Z (T (N ))) = Z (A) and πB ( Z (T (N ))) = Z (B)
are satisfied. Now the result follows from Theorem 2.4.1. Thus there exist an
additive derivation of δ : T (N ) → T (N ) and a functional τ : T (N ) → FI that
vanishes on all second commutators of T (N ) such that GL ( A) = δ( A) + τ ( A) I
for all A ∈ T (N ). Since every additive derivation on T (N ) is inner [24], there
exists an operator T ∈ T (N ) such that GL ( A) = AT − TA + τ ( A) I for all A ∈
T (N ). The proof is completed. 

Theorem 2.5.2. Let N be a nest of a Hilbert space H of dimension greater than 2

and T (N ) be a nontrivial nest algebra. Then each nonlinear generalized Lie triple
derivation GL : T (N ) → T (N ) is the sum of a generalized inner derivation δ :
T (N ) → T (N ) and a functional τ : T (N ) → FI that vanishes on all second
commutators of T (N ).

Proof. Since T (N ) contains only nontrivial elements so that associated nest al-
gebra is a triangular algebra which satisfies the conditions of Theorem 2.4.1.
This follows the result. 

If Hilbert space H is finite dimensional, then nest algebras are upper block
triangular matrices algebras [21]. Now using [12, Proposition 3.6], we have

Theorem 2.5.3. Let Bn (R) be a proper block upper triangular matrix algebra over a
commutative ring R. Then every nonlinear generalized Lie triple derivation
GL : Bn (R) → Bn (R) is the sum of a generalized inner derivation δ : Bn (R) →
Bn (R) and a functional τ : Bn (R) → R I that vanishes on all second commutators of
Bn (R).

58