Some algebraic properties of F(X) and K(X)

Abstract

Throughout we consider operators on a reflexive Banach space X. We consider certain algebraic properties of F(X), K(X) and B(X) with the general aim of examining their dependence on the possession by X of the approximation property. B(X) (resp. K(X)) denotes the algebra of all bounded (resp. compact) operators on X and F(X) denotes the closure in B(X) of its finite rank operators. The two questions we consider are:(1) Is K(X) equal to the set of all operators in B(X) whose right and left multiplication operators on F(X) (or on B(X)) are weakly compact?(2) Is F(X) a dual algebra?