JOURNAL OF ALGEBRA 101, 43349 (1986)

A Stabilization Theorem for Banach Algebras

GUSTAVO CORACH

Institute Argentina de Matemkica,

Viamonte 1636, 1055 - Capital Federal, Argentina

AND

ANGEL R. LAROTONDA

Departamento de Matemcitica, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas,

Ciudad Universitaria, 1428 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Communicated by Richard G. Swan
Received January 7, 1984

INTRODUCTION

Let A be a real or complex Banach algebra. The main result of this paper
says that the canonical morphism from xi(GL,(A )) into n,(GL(A )) is an
isomorphism of m > sr(A) + i + 1, where sr(A) indicates the stable rank of
A. This result is a Banach algebra version of a theorem of Karoubi and
Villamayor [6, Appendix 21 for the case of discrete noetherian rings and it
is inspired in Bass’ theorems about the stable structure of GL,(A) [ 1,2,
Chap. V].
The homotopy seqyence of the libration G&(A) + GL,+,(A) +
U1(Am+’ ) reduces the problem to the estimation of the order of
connectednessof U,(A”‘+‘)= {acAm+‘; b’.a= 1 for some beA”+‘}. The
connectednessof U,(Am+i ) for m 3 sr(A) is an elementary consequence of
a result of Bass [l, Theorem 4.21, but to prove the triviality of the
homotopy groups rri( Ur(Am+ ‘)) is more difficult. In fact, an estimation of
the stable rank of A(S’) is needed, where A(X) denotes, for a compact space
X, the algebra of all continuous A-valued functions on X, it is shown that
sr(A(X)) < sr(A) + dim X.
Actually, for A = [w or C this result is a trivial consequence of some
theorems of Vasershtein [lo]; nevertheless, the general case is not simple
and it is an essential part of this note.
The authors would like to thank M. Karoubi for introducing them to the
subject.
433
0021-8693/86 $3.00
Copyright 0 1986 by Academic Press. Inc
All rights of reproduction in any form reserved.
434 CORACHAND LAROTONDA

Some Notation
Rings and algebras are supposed to have unit elements. Morphisms
preserve units. If A is a ring, A-module means left A-module. If M, N are A-
modules we use the usual notations P’(M, N), Epi(M, N), GL(M). We
identity 2’(A”, A”) with A”““; M,(A) is A” xm and GL,,(A) is the group of
units of M,(A). 1M is the identity element of 9(M, M).
If X, Y are topological spaces C(X, Y) is the set of all continuous map-
pings from X into Y. If G is a topological group G, denotes the connected
component of the neutral element.

1. PRELIMINARIES

Given a ring A with identity 1 #O, a matrix XE Anxk (k <n) is said

unimodular if there exists another matrix y E Akxn such that
y. x = 1 E M,(A). We denote by Uk(A”) the set of all unimodular matrices
of A” x k. Observe that Uk(A”) can be identified, by choosing basis of Ak
and A”, with the set of direct monomorphisms from Ak into A” (recall that
a monomorphism of A-modules T: M -+ N is direct if there exists a
homomorphism S: N + M such that S 0 T = 1,,,,).

1.1. LEMMA. Let A be a Banach algebra. Then Uk(A”) is open in A” xk.

ProoJ: Given &I E U,(A”), let choose YEAS”” such that
y. x0 = 1 E M,(A). Since M,(A) is a Banach algebra, its unit group GL,(A)
is open in M,(A) [9], so U={xeAnXk: y.xeGL,(A)} is an open
neighborhood of x in A” x k. But it is easy to show that U is contained in
U/c@“).
1.2. Remarks. (i) If A is a complex commutative Banach algebra, a
simple application of the Gelfand theory shows that a matrix a E A”” k
belongs to U,( A”) if and only if 6(h) belongs to Uk(cn) for every h E X(A).
(ii) It is evident that U has a functorial character with respect to
ring, algebra or Banach algebra morphismsf: A + B.
Conventions
We denote by (x,,..., xk) the element of A” xk whose ith column is
Xi E A” x ‘. We collect, without proof, some results for further reference.

1.3. THEOREM [3]. Let A be a Banach algebra. For x E Uk(A”) let define
t,: GL,(A) -+ Uk(A”) by t,(u) = CI9x. Then
(i ) t, is an open mapping;
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 435

(ii) the image GL,(A) *x oft, is open and closed in U,(A”); in par-
ticular, GL,(A). x is a union of some connected components of U,(A”);
(iii) t, defines a principal locally trivial fibre bundle on GL,(A) .x,
with structural group GL,(A; x) = {a E GL,(A): c(. x = x};
(iv) t, is a Serre fibration.

1.4. DEFINITION. The stable rank of a ring A is at most n (sr(A) Q n)

if the following property holds: (SR), for every a E UI(A”) there exist
x1 l..., x, ~ 1 in A such that ‘a’E U,(A”-‘) where aj=a,+x,a,- [,
i = I,..., n - 1. We shall use some known facts about this concept. The
reader is refered to the classical sources: [ 1, 2, lo].

1.5. THEOREM [3]. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that

sr(A) <n- 1. Then, for every man, U,(Am) is arcwise connected (in
A mx ’ E A”). In particular, for every a in UI(Am), the map
t,: GL,(A) + U,(A”‘) is surjective.
For a proof see [3] or (1.9).

1.6. COROLLARY. Under the above hypotheses for every m b n there

exists an exact group sequencewhose last terms are

-+ ~UI(A’?) + x~(GL,- ,(A)) + ~n,(GL,(A))

-71,(U1(Am))j710(GLrn-1(A))-tn,(GL,(A))
+ n,,( UI(Am)) = 0.
(We have omitted the base points e, = (1, O,...,0)’ of U,(A”‘) and 1 of
GL,-l(A) or GL,(A).)
Proof. Let us abbreviate t = t,, : GL,(A) + U,(Am), t(g) = cx.e,. By
(1.5) t is surjective so, by (1.4) we can consider the exact homotopy
sequenceof the fibre bundle t (cf. [S], V.6)
-AU,(A”Y) + n,F’m) + n,(GL(A)) -+ n,(u~(A”))
(*I
j710(Fm)j710(GLrn(A))-t~0(U,(A~))=O,
where F,,, = { c1E GL,(A): CI*e, = e, } = GL,(A; e,). But, the matrices
belonging to GL,(A; el ) are exactly
436 CORACH AND LAROTONDA

where a,,..., a,,- i EA and CJEGL,+ ,(A). Therefore F,,, = GL,(A; e,) is
homeomorphic to GL,,- ,(A) x A”-‘. It is obvious that this last space has
the homotopy type of GL,,- i(A). Thus, replacing, in (*), xi(Fm) by
n,(GL,_ ,(A)), we get desired sequence.

1.7. Remark. If we have, instead of sr(A) 6 n - 1, the hypothesis

“U,(Am) is connected,” (1.6) holds with the same proof. In general, an
exact sequencecan be obtained replacing U,(A”) by GL,(A) . e,.

The main result in this paper (5.3) says that, for 12large enough, there
exist i,, E IV such that:
?I,(GL,_,(A))~~c~(GL,JA)) for i=O, l,..., iO- 1. Now, by (1.6), it suffices
to prove that rci(U,(A”)) is trivial for i=O, l,..., i,- 1. Our strategy is to
find a bijection between rci(Ui(A”)) and rrO(U1(A(Si)“)) (where A(9) is the
algebra of continuous functions from S’ to A) and, then, to prove
sr(A(S’)) d i + sr(A). This last fact and (1.5) will finish the proof.

1.8. THEOREM. Let A be a ring. Suppose that sr(A) < n - 1. Then for
every k>O, E,+,(A) acts transitively on U,+,(Ak’“).
Recall that E,(A) is the subgroup of GL,(A) generated by matrices e&a)
whose coefficients differ from those of the identity only in one a at the ij-
place (i#j, UEA).

Proof: We proceed inductively. The case k = 0 is a result of Bass [ 11.

See also [4]. Let {e ,,..., e,,, } be the canonical basis of A’+‘. Given
~=(x~,...,x~+i)~U~+i(A”+~) we shall find TEE,+,(A) such that
z. xi = ei (i = l,..., k + 1). For x, y in A”’ we define (x, y ) = Cy= i xi yi.
First Case. Suppose that x, = e,. Let write xi = (a,, xi) E A x An+k- ‘.
Observe that txi= (e,, xi). Now, (xi,..., X~)E Uk(Antkp’): in fact, there
exist yje An+k (j= l,..., k+l)with (y,,xi)=6,,so (yj,ej)=0,forj>2
and, in consequence, ( yj , xi ) = c?,,~for i, j 2 1. This means exactly that
(-4 ,..., X;)E ,k(A”+k-l ). By the inductive hypothesis, there exists
uEEn+k-,(A) such that U. xi = ei (i > 2). If

then it is clear that crE E,, k(A) and r = e ~ ’ satisfies the requirement.
The general case follows easily. In fact, given (xi ,..., xk + ,) E Uk + ,(Anfk)
there exists GEE,+, with zxi = e,. Therefore, the matrix
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 437

(e,,rx,,..., rXk+,)EUk+l(A”+k) is in the first case, so that exists

~EE,+~(A) such that &xi=ei (i= l,..., k+ 1). 1

1.9. COROLLARY [3]. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that

sr(A) <n - 1. Then the map z + (se, ,...,zek+ I) defines a principal locally
trivial ji’bre bundle GL,+k(A)O -+ Uk+ , (An+ “) with structural group
G= {z&L,+,(A) ,,: zei=eifor i= l,..., k+ 1).

1.10. COROLLARY. Let A be a ring. Suppose that sr(A) 6 n - 1. If P is

an A-module such that P@ Ak+ ’ g A”+ k, then P is free.
1.11. Remarks. (i) Observe that (1.8) and its corollaries give another
proof of the connectedness of UI(Am), for m 3 sr(A) + 1.
(ii) The projections (x, ,..., xi+ 1) + (x1 ,..., x,) (j= 1, 2,..., k - 1) define
a sequence
Uk+l(An+k)+ Uk(AHtk)-+ ... -+ cU,(A~+~)
of locally trivial tibre bundles. Consider, in particular, p: Uk + ,(A” + “) +
UAif”+k) p(~~,...,x~+~)=x~. Then the fiber p-‘(e,)r {(xz,...,xk+I)E
A : (el, x 2>-.>Xk+l)E uk+,(A”+k)} is evidently homeomorphic to
Ak x Uk(A”+kp’).

2. TRANSVECTIONS

2.1. DEFINITION. Let 4: A” + A be an epimorphism. A &transvection is

an (invertible) element t of Y(A”, A”) such that the diagram

0 --+kerd- A”AA---+0

commutes. We denote by E+ the set of &transvections. Observe that E4 is a

subgroup of GL(A”).

2.2. PROPOSITION. Let 4: A” + A be an epimorphism, and TE GL(A”).

Then z is a +transvection if and only if there exists h, E ker 4 such that

2.2(a). t(x) = x + 4(x) ho (XCZA”).

Proof: Take p E A” such that 4(p) = 1. Every x E A” may be written as
438 CORACHANDLAROTONDA

x=h +~$(x)p for some he ker d. Then r(x) =h + d(x) 7(p); but, as
d(z( p) - p) = 0, z(p) = ho + p for some h, E ker 4; therefore we have

t(x) = h + d(x) ho + d(x) p = d(x) ho + x.

The converse is clear.

We denote by E(A”) the subgroup of GL(A”) generated by transvections,
that is, ,?(A”) consists of products 5,. tZ”.r, (ri~E~,,~,-Epi(A”,A),
i=l ,..., r).

2.3. PROPOSITION. E(A”) is an invariant subgroup of GL(A”).

Proof: Given gEGL(A”) and TEE++, gtg-‘EE,., where d’=dgslE
Epi(A”, A), for gzg~‘(x)=~+~g~‘(x)g(h,).
As usual we identify a linear transformation with its matrix in the
canonical basis. It is clear that, under this identification, E,(A) c E(A”) for
the generators e&a) of E,(A) correspond to $i-transvections, where 4; is
the coordinate form x + xi. We show that, under certain hypothesis,
E,(A) = E(A”).

2.4. PROPOSITION. Let A be ring. Suppose that sr(A) <n - 1. Then

E,(A) = E( A”).
Proof: It suffices to prove that the matrix of a transvection is elemen-
tary. By (1.10) ker 4 is free, so we get a basis of A” by means of a basis of
ker 4 and a p E A” such that 4(p) = 1. In this basis, t has an elementary
matrix, so, for some g E GL(A”), gzg-’ E E,(A). But E,(A) is an invariant
subgroup of GL(A”), by the hypothesis sr(A) 6 n - 1 [l, (4.2)], so
T E E,(A).
2.5. Remarks. (i) Observe that E, and ker 4 are isomorphic, as
groups, the isomorphism given by the formula (2.2a). In particular, if A is a
Banach algebra, E, is contractible, for the correspondence h, -+ r with
z(x) =x+x4(x) h,, is continuous. As a consequence we get that E(A”) is
connected. Of course, this fact is obvious when E,(A) = E(A”), for E,(A) is
always connected.
(ii) If A is a commutative ring, E(A”) c SL(A”).
(iii) If H is a projective A-module we define E(H) c GL(H) as the
subgroup generated by the transvections r: H -+ H; observe that in the
definition of a transvection the freenessof A” is not used. It can be proved,
in a similar way, that E(H) is invariant in GL(H) and that E(H) is connec-
ted if A is a Banach algebra.
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 439

3. TECHNICAL LEMMAS

Throughout this section A denotes a Banach algebra such that

sr(A) <n - 1; it is easy to see that sr(A) < n - 1 if and only if for every
x E Ui(A”) there exists 5 E A”- ’ such that s(l) x E U,(A”- ‘) x A, where

Observe that E(<)EE,(A) and that E:A”-’ + E,(A) is a group

homomorphism.

3.1. LEMMA. For c1E A let define

H=H,= (x~A”+‘:x,+x,+~a= 1).

Then Hn (U1(A”) x A) is connected (in A”+‘).

Proof: We shall prove that, for every x = (x’, x,, i) E H n ( U1(A”) x A),
there exists a continuous curve 4: [0, l] + Hn (U,(A”) x A) such that
d(O) = e, = (O,...,0, 1,0) and q5(1) = x. Since x’ E UI(A”) there exists
tJ~A”-‘suchthat~(~)~‘=(~~)forsomey~U~(A”~’).Choosingb,~A”~
suchthat (b,,y)> =l andputtingb=(l-x,)&weget (b,y)=l-x,
and

Define

QW=(:,
-J( -ltb;)(; ‘:).
Observe that SZ(t)E G&(A), for every t E [0, l] and we have just shown
that Q( 1) e, = x’. We will show that the curve

d(t) = T(t) en, where T(t) = Q(t)

0
[5(t)11
and t(t) = (0,..., 0, t*x, + 1) E A”, has all properties we need. In fact, it is
clear that q5is continuous, 4(O) = e, and d(l) = T(1) e, = (x;, x,+ ,) = 1.
Thus, it suffices to prove that qS(t) belongs to Hn (U1(A”) x A) for every
tE[O, 11. Now, b(t)EHfor qS(t),+d(t),+,cr = 1-t*(b, ~)+~*x~+~cI =
1 -t2KA Y)-Xn+‘ c1) = 1-t2(1-xX,-x”+1.tL)=1.
440 CORACHAND LAROTONDA

Finally, T(t)(U,(A”)xA)= U,(A”)xA for every te [IO, 11, so

qqt)EHn(U,(A”)xA).
Given CE Ur(A”+‘) we put
n+l
M,.= XEA’I+I: (x,c)=1 xici=l
i r=, I
3.2. LEMMA. M,n (U1(A”) x A) is connected (in A”+‘), for every
CE U,(A”+‘).
Proof. We have just proved this result for c = c0= (O,...,0, 1, ~1).Take
c = (c’, 01)E Ur(A”+ I). There exist 5 E A” and 0 E E,(A) c GL,(A), such
that

Puttingw=(; ~)anddefiningw*:A”+‘-+A”+‘byw*(z)=z~w,itisclear
that w* induces a homeomorphism M,.,n(U,(A”)xA) +M,,n
(U,(A”) x A). Thus, it suffices to use 3.1. 1

3.3. LEMMA. Let f: [a, b] -+ U,(A”+‘) be a continuous mapping. Sup-

pose that there exist v, v’ E U1(A”+ ‘) such that
(1) (f(t), v), (f(t), 0’)~ U*(A”+‘) (tE [a, blh
(2) (v,e,+,)=(v’,e,+,)=l.
Then there exists a continuous mapping 4: [a, b] -+ U1(A”+‘) such that
0) (f(t), d(t)) E WA”+‘) (t E Caybl),
(ii) (d(t), en+1>=l (t~Ca,bl),
(iii) 4(t) z v on a neighborhood of a and d(t) = v’ on a neighborhood
of b.
ProoJ Pick t,E (a, b). By (3.2) there exists a continuous map
A: [0, l] + U1(A”+ ‘) such that A(0) = v, A(1) = v’, (f(t,,), n(s)) E Uz(A”+‘)
and (A(s),e,+,)=l (sE[O, 11). By Lemmal.l, there exists E>O such
that (f(t),n(s))EUZ(An+‘) for SE [0, l] and (t-t,,1 GE. We can assume
that E< b - to, t, -a. Defining
t<t,--&
4(t)= t;;(t-to+E),2E). It--toI GE
It0, t > to + E,
we obtain the desired function.
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 441

4. SEMIDIRECT PRODUCTS

4.1. DEFINITION. Let A be a ring. Each a E U,(A’) induces an A-module

decomposition A’=H@A. Let G be a subgroup of GL(H) and consider
the subgroup G(H, a) of GL(A’) consisting of all transformations of the
following type (*) h + xa + o(h) + (x + 4(h)). a (x E A, h E H), where e E G
and 4 E H*. It is easy to seethat G(H, a) is the semidirect product H* x ~ G
(see [2, IV, Sect. 5). Observe that (*) may be written as (5 y), and that
matrix product corresponds to composition. With this convention, it is
clear that the exact sequence

O+H*+G(H,a)-,G+l

split by means of the section (r -+ ( ; y). We write E(H, a) when G = E(H)

(see 2.5(iii)).
Given UE U,(A’) we define U,(u)= {xEA’: (a, X)E U,(A’)). It is clear
that U,(u) identifies with the libre p-‘(u) where p: U,(A’) +
U,(A’)p(y, x) = y (see l.‘ll(ii)). Observe that the action of GL(A’) on
U,(A’) induces an action of GL(A’; a) = (0 E GL(A’): ou = u} on U,(u).
We are going to study the orbits of this action.

4.2. LEMMA. Every z E E( H, a) can be written us z = z1 . z2.. . t,,, where 7;

(i = l,..., n) and 13are trunsvections of the following type:
(1) 7i(~)=~+4i(~)bi for some b,EH and diEEpi(A’,A) such that
a, biE ker di;
(2) 0(x) = x + 4(x) a for some 4 E Epi(A’, A) such that u E ker 4.
Proof With the matrix notation every element 7 of E(H, a) can be writ-
ten as

with o E H*.
Define 8 by (A y), that is, if #(h + zu) = w(h), then 0(x) =x + &~)a. Now
CTE E(H) is, by definition of E(H), a product z; t; ... 5: of transvections
t:(h) = h + z:(h)bj, for some c$,!E H* and bi E ker 4;. Extending 4; by
bi(h + zu) = 4:(h), we get z1 ,..., 7, as claimed. 1

4.3. COROLLARY. Given a, a’E U,(A’) with their corresponding decom-

position H@ Au = H’@ Aa’ = A’ and a E GL(A’) such that a(u) = a’ and
a(H) = H’ the interior automorphism of GL(A’) defined by
442 CORACHANDLAROTONDA

0 + A&) = fJx(T ‘, maps E( H, a) onto E( H’, a’). Furthermore, if’ x0 E U,(a)

and crf%) = XL the diagram

is commutative, where n,(z) = I and n,(?) = z’(xb).

4.4. COROLLARY. Suppose that sr(A) < n - 1. Given a E U,(A” + ’ ) and a

decomposition A”+ ’ = H@ Aa, the mapping 71, as above is surjective. In par-
ticular, E(H, a) acts transitively on U,(a).
ProoJ: First, observe that sr(A) < n, so by (l.lO), H and H’ are free. In
particular, there exists (r E GL(A’) as in (4.3). Therefore, it suffices to prove
the result for a = e,, r, H=A”x (0) and xO=e,. But E,(A)=E(A”) by
(2.4) and E,,(A) acts transitively on U,(A”) by (1.8). Moreover,
U,(e,+ r) = U,(A”) x A, so that

o E E,(A), 5 E A”

= UI(A”) x A = U2(en+ 11,

as claimed.

4.5. COROLLARY. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that

sr(A) < n - 1. Then, for every UE U1(A”+‘) and X~E U,(a) the mapping
H* x, GL(H), + U,(a) defined by T -+ z(xO) is a principal locally trivial
fibre bundle.

4.6. LEMMA. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that sr(A) < n - 1.

Then, given a, CEU,(A”+‘) there exist DEE,+,(A) and 1eA such that
o*: U,(a) n M, + U2(en+ I) n M,, = ( U1(A”) x A) n M,, is a homeomor-
phism, where o*(z) = z. o and c,(O ,..., 0, 1,1).
Proof: As in (4.3) there exists GEE,, ,(A) such that it defines
homeomorphisms U,(a) -, UAen+l) and U&)nM,.-, U2(en+l)nMd,
where d= c. o. We find ol~E,+,(A) such that ore,,, and
a:: U2(en+1)nMd+ U2(en+,)nM,, is a homeomorphism, by the
argument of (3.2). 1

4.7. COROLLARY. Let A be a Banach algebra with sr(A) d n - 1. Then,

the for every a, CE U,(A”+* ), U,(a) n M,, is connected (in A”+‘).
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 443

4.8. Remark. The connectedness of U*(a)nM,. can be proved in a

direct way as follows: if c0 = (O,...,0, 1, c1),(U,(A”) x A) n M, is connected
by (3.1), so it suffices to prove that U,(a) n M,, is homeomorphic to some
(UI(A”)xA)nM,. Now, if ZEE,+,(A) is such that Te,+,=a, we take
d=c,. r and the result follows.

5. ~-LIFTABLE MORPHISMS

For each aEArn+’ we use the notation

Vm+,(a)={xEAm: i I aE U,(A”)xA .
( 1 I

5.1. LEMMA, The map (x1 ,..., x,) -+ (-x ,,..., -x,, 1) is a homeo-
morphism from V,,,+ ,(a) onto

ProoJ If s(x) = (A ;), &(x)-l = E(-x); therefore, (a, x) E U,(Am+ ‘) o

(E(-x)a, &(-x)x) E U2(Am+‘) 0 (E(-x)a, e,,,) E U2(Am+‘) 0
(H--x)4 ern+,)E U2(Am+l) o E(-x)a~ UI(Am) x A. Observe that every
ring homomorphism 4: A -+ B induces an application 4: + l: V, + l(a) -+
Vm+l(4(a)) w h’ic h is continuous if A is a Banach algebra. 1

5.2. DEFINITION. A ring homomorphism 4: A + B is n-liftable if #z+’ is

a surjection for every r 2 0 and a E U, (A” + r ~ ’ ).
5.3. Remarks. (i) sr(A) <n if and only if Vu+,.(a) is nonvoid for every
r>,O and aE U,(A”+‘-‘).
(ii) If 4: A + B is n-liftable and sr(B) 6 II then sr(A) dn.
(iii) If 4: A + B is n-liftable then 4 is an epimorphism: in fact, taking
a = e, and b E B it is clear that (6, O,...,0, 1) E V, + l(&a)) so there exists
CE V,+,(a) such that 4;” (c) = (b,O ,..., 0, 1); in particular, &cl) = b.
(iv) If sr(B) d n, the projection A x B + A is n-liftable.
(v) If 4: A + B and $: B--r C are n-liftable, $4: A + C is n-lif-
table. m

5.4. LEMMA. Zf 4: A + B is n-lifrable then sr(A) < n if and only if

sr(B) < n.
Proof: It suffices to use (5.3(ii)), (5.3(iii)) and the easy fact that
444 CORACHAND LAROTONDA

sr(B) 6 sr(A) when B is an epimorphic image of A. In the next three results

we consider a Cartesian square of ring homomorphisms:

Thus R=((a,b)~AxB:~,(a)=&(b)}, rt,(a,b)=a and x2(a,b)=b

((a, b)~ R). (cf. [7], and [2, Chap. IX, Sect. 5). 1

5.5. LEMMA. Suppose that cj2 is an epimorphism. Then II,(

U,(Am) x,. U,(Bm), where

U,(A*) x,. U1(Bm) = {a, b) E U,(Am) x U,(Bm): &(a) = q&(b)}.

Proof: It is clear that U,(Rm) c U,(Am) x,. U1(Bm). If suffices to prove

that for every (a, b) E U,(Am) x,. U,(Bm) there exists (x, y) E R” such that
((~,,~),(a,b))=((x,a),(y,b))=(l,1). Choose x~EA”, ~,,EB~ with
(x0, a) = 1 and ( y,,, b ) = 1. Since & is surjective there exists y E B” such
that &(y)=4i(x0), so &((Y,b))=l and (y,b)=1+6 for some
6Eker&. Observe that 6=6(y,,b)=(6y,,b), so (~~,a)=
(y-6y,, b) = 1 and it follows that (x,, y-6y0)~ R” and
(h Y- YO),(a, b)) = (1, 1). I

5.6. PROPOSITION. Suppose that q& is n-liftable. Then 7t, is n-liftable.

ProoJ First, observe that & is an epimorphism (5.3(iii)) so we can use
(5.5). Now, by (5.1) we must show that, given (a, b)E UI(Rm) (man) and
XEA~ such that (x,e,+, ) = 1 and (a, x) E U2(Am) there exists y E B” with
<(x3 ~1, (em,em)> = (1, 11, ((a, b), (x, Y)E U2(Rm) and x,(x, Y) =x. Now,
x=(x’, 1) and (A ;” )a~ U,(A”-‘)x A so

G-b:x’)J fj,(U)E u,(c”-‘)x c.

Since #,(a) = q&(b) it follows that (d,(x), e,) = 1 and (d*(b), x,(x)) E
U,(q&(b)). But, & being n-liftable, there exists YE B” with (y, e,) = 1,
&(v) = #i(x) and (a, b) E U2(Bm). Therefore, (x, y) E R” and
1 (-x’, -y’)
(a,b)EU1(Rm-‘)xR
0 1 >
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 445

by (5.51, so (C-GY), (em,em)>= (1, ~)ER, ((a, b), (A Y))E U2(R”) and,
obviously, x1(x, y) =x.

5.7. COROLLARY. Suppose that dz is n-liftable, sr(A ) < n and sr(B) < n.
Then sr(C) 6 n and sr(R) 6 n.
Proof The result follows easily from (5.6) and (5.4). 1
Given a Banach algebra A and a space X we denote by A(X) the algebra
of continuous functions f: A’+ A. Observe that A(X) is a Banach algebra,
with

llfll = SUP Ilf(x~ll,

i tx

when X is a compact space.

5.8. COROLLARY. Let A be a Banach algebra and X a compact space.

Suppose that X, and X2 are open or closed subspaces of X and consider the
restriction homomorphisms

4: NJ’,)+A(X,nXJ and 7~: A(X, u X2) -+ A(X,).

Then 7cis n-liftable if 4 is n-liftable.

Proof It is obvious that

A(X, u X,) A 4x2)

4x1)
I 7 A(X1 nx,)
I
is a Cartesian square. It suflices to use (5.6). 1

5.9. THEOREM. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that sr(A) 6 n - 1.

Then, for every closed interval I of the real line the restriction homomorphism
A(Z) + A(3Z) is n-liftable.
Proof Clearly we can take Z= [0, 11. Since U,(A(Z)“) is
homeomorphic to C(I, UI(A”)), given f e C(Z, U,(A”+‘)), a = f(O),
b= f(1) and x, yc A” such that ((a, (x, l)), (b, (y, 1))~ U2(A”+‘) we must
find geA(Z)” with g(O)=x, g(l)= y and (f(t), (g(t), 1))~ U2(A”+‘) for
every t E Z. Now, for every s E I there exists v, E A” such that

(f(s)> (~3, 1))~ U,(A”+‘).

481/101/2-II
446 CORACHAND LAROTONDA

By hypothesis we can choose I+,= x and v, = J. Define

w,= {td: (f(t), (u,, l))E &(A’?+‘)}.

Then { W,: s E I} is an open covering of I. By Lebesgue’s covering lemma

there exists a one-dimensional covering.
{Ji= (ti, t;): iwl}

such that Jj is contained in some W, (recall that one dimensional means

that JinJk is nonvoid only if k=i- 1, i or i+ 1). If Jjc W,,, with sO=O,
taking ti+ , < ai < b; = t:
I I I I \ \
ti t I+1 ai ti t; t:+1

by (3.3) we can find the desired function g E A(Z)” by gluing successively vi

with vi+, .

5.10. COROLLARY. Let A be a Banach algebra.

(1) Zf Dk is the closed unit ball of Rk,

sr(A(Dk)) d k+ sr(A)

(2) Zf P is a 0- or l-dimensional polyhedron, then

sr(A(P)) < 1 + sr(A).

ProoJ: (1) It is evident, by (5.9), (5.4) and the isomorphisms

A(Dk-‘)(D),.Z(Dk-‘xD)%A(Dk).

(2) It suffices to observe that, for every l-cell (T of P

A(o) + A(&) is (1 + sr(A))-liftable.

5.11. PROPOSITION. Let A be a Banach algebra such that sr(A ) < n - 1.

Then, for every k > 1 the following conditions hold:
(tlk) A(Dk) + A(8Dk) is (n + k- 1)-lifttable;
(flk) for every compact polyhedron x

sr(A(Xk-‘))<n+k-2,

where Xp denotes the p-skeleton of X.

 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 447

Proof: BY (5.101, (al), (PI), and (p2) hold. We shall prove

6) (ak)+(Pk)=-(Pk+l) and
(ii) (Pk) * (ak).

Proof of (i). We shall prove that sr(A(Xk)) dn+ k- 1. We proceed

by induction in the number of k-cells of Xk. Suppose that a:,..., ci are
the k-cells of X, so Xk = Xk-’ u crt u ... u 0:. Putting Y, =
xk-lyaky . . . uak we have that Y =Xk-‘, Y,=Xk-l~~/; and, in
general, $r + I = Y, LJbF+ i, Y, = Xk. Coisider, for r = 0, l,..., m - 1, the car-
tesian square

By (ak), p is (n + k - 1)-liftable, so that p is (n + k - 1)-liftable by (5.8).

Proof of (ii). Put B = A(3Dk), so sr(B) < n + k - 2. Consider the car-
tesian square

A(Con(8Dk)) = A(Dk) --+ B(Z) N A(dDk x [0, 11)

4
1 I
A(8Dk)xA=BxA )L B(dZ)-BxB

where we have identified Dk and Con(Sk- ‘) = cone of Sk- ‘.

4(u)= (u(O),41 )I and h(f, a) = (f, a).

Since sr(B) <n + k - 2, by (5.9) 4 is (n + k - l)-liftable, so, by (5.6) the

homomorphism A(Dk) + A(dDk) x A, defined by f- (f/aD”, f(O)), is
(n + k- 1)-liftable. Finally, we get (ak) from (5.3(v)). 1
In the next statement, we collect the most relevant results of this section.

5.12. THEOREM. Let A be a Banach algebra.

(i) the restriction homomorphism A(Dk) + A(8Dk) is (k + sr(A))-/if-
table;
(ii) sr(A(X)) Q dim(X) + sr(A) for every compact polyhedron X.
448 CORACHAND LAROTONDA

6. THE MAIN THEOREM

Let X be a compact space, X~EX and A a Banach algebra. The

evaluation homomorphism 4: A(X) + A defined by f +,f(x,) induces a
continuous mapping 4,: U,(A(X)“) + U,(A”). Observe that 4 has an
algebra section (each a E A is seen as a constant function on X) so 4, has a
global section. As in [3], it is not difficult to prove that 4, is a locally
trivial tibre bundle. From these remarks it follows that the exact homotopy
sequenceof d,, splits at each dimension. Thus, we get for each ib0

OGni(Fn, el)+n:i(U1(A(X)“), e,)+71i(U,(An), e,)-+O, (a=+)

where F,,= F,(xO, e,)= {f~c(X, U,(A”)):f(x,)=e,}.

6.1. Remarks. (1) Equation (**) is an exact sequence of groups for
i > 1 and an exact sequence of pointed sets of i > 0.
(2) We use, implicitely, the homeomorphism

6.2. THEOREM. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that sr( A) d n - 1.

Then 7t,( U,(Am), e,) is trivial for m >n + i.
Proof: Since sr(A)<n- 1, q,(U,(A”‘)) is trivial for m>n, by (1.5).
Therefore, by (**) with i= 0, there is a bijection between q,(Fm, e,) and
Q(U,(A(X)~), el). But, by the definition of the ith homotopy group,
xl(U,(Am), e,) = q,(Fm, e,), when X= S’. Thus, we get a bijection between
xi(UI(Am), e,) and Q(U~(A(S~)~), e,); but this last set is trivial for
m > n + i, by (1.5) and (5.12(ii)). 1

Given a Banach algebra A, the infinite linear group GL(A) of A is

defined by GL(A) = u GL,(A), by means of the natural embeddings
GL,(A) c GL,+,(A). With the inductive limit topology, GL(A) is a
topological group, VP(A) is defined as

n;-l(GL(A)j l)=ti~i-,(GL,(A), 1).

Our final result shows that, under the hypothesis of finite stable rank, the
sequence (z,(GL,(A), l))n stabilizes. More precisely, we have

6.3. THEOREM. Let A be a Banach algebra. Suppose that sr(A) < n - 1.

Then the canonical morphism from xj(GL,,- ,(A)) into z;(GL,(A)) is
 STABILIZATION IN BANACH ALGEBRA 449

(a) surjective if m 2 n + i,
(b) injective ifm>n+i+ 1.
Compare with [6, Appendix 21.
Proof: It is an easy consequence of (6.2) and (1.6). 1
Final Remarks
(i) It may be useful to note that the second part of Theorem 5.12 is
valid, not only for a compact polyhedron but also for any compact space
X. In fact, the result is obvious if X has infinite dimension. Now, if
dim(X) < d, X may be approximated by compact polyhedra Xi with
dim(X,) 6 d (see [8]) and a simple limit argument finishes the proof.
(ii) Theorem 6.2 admits also generalization. In fact, using 1.8 and an
exact sequence like (**), it follows from 512(ii) that n,(U,(A”),
(eI ,..., ek))=O for m>,n+i+k- 1.
(iii) All the results in this paper may be extend easily to a topological
algebra A whose unit group A’ is open and the inversion x + x- ’ is con-
tinuous.

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