Abstract fractional linear transformations

Abstract

We begin with (densely-defined) fractional linear transformations (FLT) on (some) Banach algebras and their relatives. This leads to Wedderburn's continued fractions (recursively-defined noncommutative polynomials) for any ring. Along the way, we discover a one-parameter family of (noncommutative) polynomials \st if one of them is invertible, then read in the opposite order, the corresponding polynomial is also invertible (extending the well known $1+ab$ is invertible if $1+ ba$ is, and the not-so-well-known, $a + abc + c$ and $a + cba + c$). This in turn leads to a definition of FLT for general rings $R$, which turns out to be PE$(2,R)$ (the projective elementary group). Using Wedderburn's polynomials, this permits us to define a length function on PE$(2,R)$, which suggests a stable range type condition (for $n =1$, it {\it is\/} stable range one, but higher values do not correspond. Again using the length results, we prove the expected results for PE$(2,R)$: under very modest conditions on $R$, the commutator subgroup of PE$(2,R)$ is perfect and of index one or two. Along the same lines, we also prove results on simplicity of the commutator subgroup: we require the usual generative properties on the simple ring $R$, as well either the very restrictive $1$ in the range, or a mild condition about invertibles, involving intersections of three translates of GL$(1,R)$. This last property is explored in the appendices, which give examples (and non-examples). Numerous questions suggest themselves throughout.