On dependent elements in rings. (Q1777813)

Let \(R\) be an associative ring. An element \(a\in R\) is called dependent on a mapping \(F\colon R\to R\) if \(F(x)a=ax\) for all \(x\in R \). The authors study dependent elements in prime and semiprime rings. Theorem 1: Let \(F\colon R\to R\) be a generalized derivation in a semiprime ring \(R\) and let \(a\in R\) be dependent on \(F\). Then \(a\in Z(R)\). Theorem 2: Let \(R\) be a noncommutative 2-torsion-free prime ring and let \(a,b\) be fixed elements in \(R\). Suppose that \(c\in R\) is dependent on the mapping \(x\to axb+bxa\). Then (1) \(ac,bc\in Z(R)\); (2) \((ab+ba)c=c\); (3) \(c^2\in Z(R)\). Theorem 3: Suppose \(R\) is a semiprime ring and \(\alpha,\beta\) are automorphisms of \(R\). Then there are no nonzero elements that are dependent on the mapping \(\alpha+\beta\).