No label defined (Q4266328)

Let \(D\) be a division ring with center \(F\). Put \(A= M_n(D)\) such that either \(n\geq 3\) or \(n= 2\) but \(D\) contains at least four elements. Assume \(N\) is a non-central subnormal subgroup of \(A^*= \text{GL}_n(D)\). The authors show the following theorems: (1) If \(N\) is algebraic over \(F\), then \(A\) is algebraic over \(F\). (2) Assume \(D\) is algebraic over \(F\). Then \(A\) is algebraic over \(F\) if and only if the product of any two algebraic elements of \(A\) is algebraic over \(F\). (3) Assume \(D\) has index \(m\) over \(F\). Then the reduced Whitehead group of \(A\) is trivial if and only if each element of reduced norm \(1\) can be written as a product of some \(m\)th powers of elements of \(A^*\) and the subgroup \(\Omega\) of the \(m\)th roots of unity in \(F^*\) is equal to the center \(Z(D')\) of the derived group \(D'\) of \(D^*\).