Determining elements in Banach algebras through spectral properties (Q432351)

The following problem, still open in general, is considered in this paper: Let \(A\) be a semisimple Banach algebra. Suppose that elements \(a\) and \(b\) of \(A\) are such that the spectra of \(ax\) and \(bx\) coincide for every element \(x\) of \(A\). Does this imply that \(a=b\)? The authors prove that the above problem has an affirmative answer in some particular cases, including the case when \(A\) is a C\(^{\ast }\)-algebra. A more general problem that concerns the spectral radius is also considered.