All-derivable points in matrix algebras (Q1014472)

Let \(M_n(C)\) be the algebra of \(n\times n\) complex matrices. It is shown, after some involved computations, that whenever \(G\in M_n(C)\) is a nonzero matrix then every linear map \(\phi\) on \(M_n(C)\) with the property \[ \phi(ST)=\phi(S)T+S\phi(T);\quad ST=G \] is actually a derivation on \(M_n(C)\), that is, the above identity holds for every pair \(S,T\) and not just for pairs whose product equals \(G\). When \(G=0\) this is no longer true as demonstrated by the identity map. The main idea is the induction on the rank of a nilpotent part of \(G\).