On identities of free finitely generated alternative algebras over a field of characteristic 3

Abstract

In 1981 Filippov solved in the affirmative Shestakov's problem on the strictness of the inclusions in the chains of varieties generated by free alternative and Mal'cev algebras of finite rank over a field of characteristic distinct from 2 and 3. In the present paper an analogous result is proved for alternative algebras over a field of characteristic 3. The proof is based on the construction of three families of identities that hold on the algebras of the corresponding rank. A disproof of the identities on algebras of larger rank is carried out with the help of a prime commutative alternative algebra. It is also proved that in varieties of alternative algebras of finite basis rank over a field of characteristic 3 every soluble algebra is nilpotent.