The sum of nil one-sided ideals of bounded index of a ring (Q1343843)

If \(R\) is a ring, \(N_1(R)\) is the sum of all nilpotent ideals of \(R\), while \(N_2(R)\) is the sum of the ideals of \(R\) which are nilpotent \(\text{mod }N_1(R)\). The author shows that in an arbitrary ring, \(R\), the set \(N(R)\) of all elements that generate nil one-sided ideals (pick a side) of bounded index is contained in the set \(N_2(R)\), and that \(N(R)\) is equal to the set of all strongly nilpotent elements of bounded index. This improves the known result that \(N(R)\) is contained in the prime radical. Examples are given to establish that the containments \(N_1(R)<N(R)<N_2(R)\) are indeed strict. It is also established that in any ring, the sum of a finite number of nil right (left) ideals of bounded index is also of bounded index.