Hurwitz theorem (composition algebras)

E931272

Hurwitz theorem (composition algebras) is a fundamental result in algebra that classifies all finite-dimensional normed division algebras over the real numbers, showing that they exist only in dimensions 1, 2, 4, and 8.

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Statements (47)

Predicate Object
instanceOf mathematical theorem
result in normed division algebras
theorem in algebra
allowsDimensions 1
2
4
8
characterizes C as the unique 2-dimensional real normed division algebra up to isomorphism
H as the unique 4-dimensional real normed division algebra up to isomorphism
O as the unique 8-dimensional real normed division algebra up to isomorphism
R as the unique 1-dimensional real normed division algebra
classifies finite-dimensional real normed division algebras
real composition algebras with multiplicative norm
concerns composition algebra
multiplicative norm
normed division algebra
quadratic form
real numbers
describes possible dimensions of composition algebras over the reals
structure of real normed division algebras
equivalentTo classification of real composition algebras with nondegenerate multiplicative quadratic form
field algebra
number theory
topology
forbidsDimensions any other positive integer dimension than 1, 2, 4, or 8 for real normed division algebras
hasConsequence existence of normed bilinear maps R^n × R^n → R^n only for n = 1, 2, 4, 8
restriction on possible dimensions of parallelizable spheres
hasVariant Hurwitz theorem on composition of quadratic forms NERFINISHED
historicalPeriod late 19th century
implies every finite-dimensional real normed division algebra is isomorphic to R, C, H, or O as a normed algebra
there are no real normed division algebras of dimension 3
there are no real normed division algebras of dimension 5
there are no real normed division algebras of dimension 6
there are no real normed division algebras of dimension 7
there are no real normed division algebras of dimension greater than 8
impliesExistenceOf only four isomorphism classes of real normed division algebras
namedAfter Adolf Hurwitz NERFINISHED
provedBy Adolf Hurwitz NERFINISHED
relatedTo complex numbers C
octonions O
quaternions H
real numbers R
statement every finite-dimensional real normed division algebra has dimension 1, 2, 4, or 8
the only finite-dimensional real composition algebras with a positive-definite multiplicative norm have dimensions 1, 2, 4, or 8
usesConcept bilinear form
composition of quadratic forms
quadratic form identity

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Adolf Hurwitz knownFor Hurwitz theorem (composition algebras)
Hurwitz notableWork Hurwitz theorem (composition algebras)
subject surface form: Adolf Hurwitz