The strictly upper triangular real matrix n1(R)\mathfrak n_{1}(\mathbb R) consists of matrices X=(xij)∈M1(R)X=(x_{ij})\in M_{1}(\mathbb R) with xij=0 whenever i≥jx_{ij}=0\text{ whenever }i\geq j, using the commutator bracket.

Basis and nilpotency

The basis Eij (i<j)E_{ij}\ (i<j) has brackets [Eij,Ekl]=δjkEil−δliEkj[E_{ij},E_{kl}]=\delta_{jk}E_{il}-\delta_{li}E_{kj}. Each additional commutator moves entries farther above the diagonal. In size one the algebra is zero.