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If $A,B$ are $n \times n$ complex matrices, then is it possible that $ABA-BAB =I$?

I was able to solve a related problem "Can $AB-BA =I$?" using a trace argument, but that argument does not seem to extend to this problem

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    Putting $C=AB$ in first problem does not help?2012-09-02

2 Answers 2

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Putting $B=I$, you can solve the equation $A^2-A-I=0$ for $A$. Thus it is possible.

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Consider the following matrices:

$A = \left(\begin{array}{ccc} \frac{1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{1 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \end{array}\right) \text{ and } B = \left(\begin{array}{ccc} \frac{-1 + \sqrt{5}}{2} & 0 \\ 0 & \frac{-1 - \sqrt{5}}{2} \end{array}\right)$