Completion of rectangular matrices and power-free modules. (Q2655436)

Let \(R\) be an associative ring with identity. A right \(R\)-module \(P\) is called finitely generated stably free with positive rank if there are a positive integer \(s\) and a nonnegative integer \(m\) such that \(P\oplus R^m\cong R^{m+s}\). By Theorem IV:44 of \textit{J. C. McConnell} and \textit{J. C. Robson}, [Noncommutative Noetherian rings. With the cooperation of L. W. Small. Chichester: John Wiley \& Sons (1987; Zbl 0644.16008)], for a commutative ring \(R\), all finitely generated stably free \(R\)-modules \(P\) with positive rank are power-free (i.e., \(P^n\cong R^{nt}\) for some positive integers \(t\) and \(n\)). The present paper characterizes the property for a ring, namely, for a ring \(R\), all finitely generated stably free \(R\)-modules \(P\) with positive rank are power-free if and only if for each right invertible rectangular matrix \((a_{ij})\) over \(R\), there is a positive integer \(s\) such that the Kronecker tensor product \(A\otimes I_s\) can be completed by adding rows to an invertible square matrix. Using the characterization, the author proves for a generalized stable and right repetitive ring \(R\), the category of finitely generated power-free \(R\)-modules is identical with the category of finitely generated stably free \(R\)-modules with positive rank.