A resolution of Paz's conjecture in the presence of a nonderogatory matrix

Let M n ( F ) be the algebra of n × n matrices over the field F and let S be a generating set of M n ( F ) as an F -algebra. The length of a finite generating set S of M n ( F ) is the smallest number k such that words of length not greater than k generate M n ( F ) as a vector space. It is a long standing conjecture of Paz that the length of any generating set of M n ( F ) cannot exceed 2 n − 2 . We prove this conjecture under the assumption that the generating set S contains a nonderogatory matrix. In addition, we find linear bounds for the length of generating sets that include a matrix with some conditions on its Jordan canonical form. Finally, we investigate cases when the length 2 n − 2 is achieved.