Which matrices commute with $operatorname{SO}_n$?












4












$begingroup$


$newcommand{GLp}{operatorname{GL}_n^+}$
$newcommand{SO}{operatorname{SO}_n}$



Let $n>2$, and Let $A in GLp$ be an invertible real $n times n$ matrix, which commutes with $SO$.



Is it true that $A= lambda Id$ for some $lambda in mathbb{R}$ ?



An equivalent requirement is that $A$ commutes with every skew-symmetric matrix.



One direction is obtained by differentiating a path of orthogonal matrices starting at the identity. The converse implication comes from the fact that every element of $SO$ equals to $exp(M)$ for some skew-symmetric $M$.




Note that if we assume that $A in SO$, then the answer is positive: we must have $A=pm Id$ .






group-theory lie-groups symmetry orthogonal-matrices







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
    $endgroup$
    – TrostAft
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:39








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:42






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:46








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:55






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
    $endgroup$
    – Dap
    Dec 21 '18 at 14:30
















4












$begingroup$


$newcommand{GLp}{operatorname{GL}_n^+}$
$newcommand{SO}{operatorname{SO}_n}$



Let $n>2$, and Let $A in GLp$ be an invertible real $n times n$ matrix, which commutes with $SO$.



Is it true that $A= lambda Id$ for some $lambda in mathbb{R}$ ?



An equivalent requirement is that $A$ commutes with every skew-symmetric matrix.



One direction is obtained by differentiating a path of orthogonal matrices starting at the identity. The converse implication comes from the fact that every element of $SO$ equals to $exp(M)$ for some skew-symmetric $M$.




Note that if we assume that $A in SO$, then the answer is positive: we must have $A=pm Id$ .






group-theory lie-groups symmetry orthogonal-matrices







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
    $endgroup$
    – TrostAft
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:39








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:42






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:46








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:55






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
    $endgroup$
    – Dap
    Dec 21 '18 at 14:30














4












4








4


1



$begingroup$


$newcommand{GLp}{operatorname{GL}_n^+}$
$newcommand{SO}{operatorname{SO}_n}$



Let $n>2$, and Let $A in GLp$ be an invertible real $n times n$ matrix, which commutes with $SO$.



Is it true that $A= lambda Id$ for some $lambda in mathbb{R}$ ?



An equivalent requirement is that $A$ commutes with every skew-symmetric matrix.



One direction is obtained by differentiating a path of orthogonal matrices starting at the identity. The converse implication comes from the fact that every element of $SO$ equals to $exp(M)$ for some skew-symmetric $M$.




Note that if we assume that $A in SO$, then the answer is positive: we must have $A=pm Id$ .






group-theory lie-groups symmetry orthogonal-matrices







share|cite|improve this question











$endgroup$




$newcommand{GLp}{operatorname{GL}_n^+}$
$newcommand{SO}{operatorname{SO}_n}$



Let $n>2$, and Let $A in GLp$ be an invertible real $n times n$ matrix, which commutes with $SO$.



Is it true that $A= lambda Id$ for some $lambda in mathbb{R}$ ?



An equivalent requirement is that $A$ commutes with every skew-symmetric matrix.



One direction is obtained by differentiating a path of orthogonal matrices starting at the identity. The converse implication comes from the fact that every element of $SO$ equals to $exp(M)$ for some skew-symmetric $M$.




Note that if we assume that $A in SO$, then the answer is positive: we must have $A=pm Id$ .






group-theory lie-groups symmetry orthogonal-matrices




group-theory lie-groups symmetry orthogonal-matrices






share|cite|improve this question















share|cite|improve this question













share|cite|improve this question




share|cite|improve this question








edited Dec 20 '18 at 21:02







Asaf Shachar

















asked Dec 20 '18 at 20:18









Asaf ShacharAsaf Shachar

5,79931145




5,79931145












  • $begingroup$
    If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
    $endgroup$
    – TrostAft
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:39








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:42






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:46








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:55






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
    $endgroup$
    – Dap
    Dec 21 '18 at 14:30


















  • $begingroup$
    If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
    $endgroup$
    – TrostAft
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:39








  • 2




    $begingroup$
    You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:42






  • 3




    $begingroup$
    When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:46








  • 1




    $begingroup$
    As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
    $endgroup$
    – Lord Shark the Unknown
    Dec 20 '18 at 20:55






  • 1




    $begingroup$
    The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
    $endgroup$
    – Dap
    Dec 21 '18 at 14:30
















$begingroup$
If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
$endgroup$
– TrostAft
Dec 20 '18 at 20:39






$begingroup$
If you write it instead as $Q = A^{-1}B Q B^{-1} A = A^{-1} B Q ( A^{-1} B)^{-1}$. Then denote $C = A^{-1} B$ and then we have the system $C Q C^{-1} = Q$. So it seems to be true that if the matrix $A^{-1}B$ is commutative things work out. So perhaps instead of saying $B = pm Id$, we must have $A^{-1}B = pm id implies B = pm A$. Oh I think this is the answer
$endgroup$
– TrostAft
Dec 20 '18 at 20:39






2




2




$begingroup$
You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:42




$begingroup$
You could have $B=kA$ for any nonzero $k$.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:42




3




3




$begingroup$
When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:46






$begingroup$
When $n=2$, $SO_n$ consists of the $cos t I+sin t J$ for $J=pmatrix{0&1\-1&0}$. Then the centraliser of all these matrices consists of $Bbb RI +Bbb RJ$.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:46






1




1




$begingroup$
As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:55




$begingroup$
As every element of $SO_n$ is $exp(M)$ for a skew-symmetric $M$, then $C$ commutes with all of $SO_n$ iff $C$ commutes with all skew-symmetric matrices.
$endgroup$
– Lord Shark the Unknown
Dec 20 '18 at 20:55




1




1




$begingroup$
The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
$endgroup$
– Dap
Dec 21 '18 at 14:30




$begingroup$
The proof sketch in the linked question applies to this case as well
$endgroup$
– Dap
Dec 21 '18 at 14:30










1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes


















3












$begingroup$

This is a representation theory question: slightly generalized (there's no need to restrict our attention to $GL_n^{+}$), you're asking what the endomorphisms of $mathbb{R}^n$ as a representation of the Lie group $SO(n)$ (or, equivalently, the Lie algebra $mathfrak{so}(n)$) are.



This representation is always irreducible, so by Schur's lemma the endomorphisms form a division algebra over $mathbb{R}$, which by the Frobenius theorem must be $mathbb{R}, mathbb{C}$, or $mathbb{H}$. The latter two cases can't happen if $n$ is odd (because $mathbb{C}$ and $mathbb{H}$ only act on $mathbb{R}^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $2$ or $4$ respectively).



If $n = 2k ge 4$ is even we can argue as follows: if the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb{C}$, then $SO(2k)$ must embed into $GL_k(mathbb{C})$ and hence into the unitary group $U(k)$, by compactness, and similarly on the level of Lie algebras. But this is impossible by a dimension count: $SO(2k)$ has dimension $k(2k-1)$, but $U(k)$ has dimension $k^2$, and for $k ge 2$ we have $2k-1 > k$. (For $k = 1$ they are equal, reflecting the coincidence $SO(2) = U(1)$.) So the endomorphism ring must be $mathbb{R}$. Probably a simpler argument is possible here.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:42












  • $begingroup$
    if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:43












  • $begingroup$
    @AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
    $endgroup$
    – lisyarus
    Feb 12 at 12:34












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1 Answer
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active

oldest

votes








1 Answer
1






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









3












$begingroup$

This is a representation theory question: slightly generalized (there's no need to restrict our attention to $GL_n^{+}$), you're asking what the endomorphisms of $mathbb{R}^n$ as a representation of the Lie group $SO(n)$ (or, equivalently, the Lie algebra $mathfrak{so}(n)$) are.



This representation is always irreducible, so by Schur's lemma the endomorphisms form a division algebra over $mathbb{R}$, which by the Frobenius theorem must be $mathbb{R}, mathbb{C}$, or $mathbb{H}$. The latter two cases can't happen if $n$ is odd (because $mathbb{C}$ and $mathbb{H}$ only act on $mathbb{R}^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $2$ or $4$ respectively).



If $n = 2k ge 4$ is even we can argue as follows: if the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb{C}$, then $SO(2k)$ must embed into $GL_k(mathbb{C})$ and hence into the unitary group $U(k)$, by compactness, and similarly on the level of Lie algebras. But this is impossible by a dimension count: $SO(2k)$ has dimension $k(2k-1)$, but $U(k)$ has dimension $k^2$, and for $k ge 2$ we have $2k-1 > k$. (For $k = 1$ they are equal, reflecting the coincidence $SO(2) = U(1)$.) So the endomorphism ring must be $mathbb{R}$. Probably a simpler argument is possible here.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:42












  • $begingroup$
    if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:43












  • $begingroup$
    @AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
    $endgroup$
    – lisyarus
    Feb 12 at 12:34
















3












$begingroup$

This is a representation theory question: slightly generalized (there's no need to restrict our attention to $GL_n^{+}$), you're asking what the endomorphisms of $mathbb{R}^n$ as a representation of the Lie group $SO(n)$ (or, equivalently, the Lie algebra $mathfrak{so}(n)$) are.



This representation is always irreducible, so by Schur's lemma the endomorphisms form a division algebra over $mathbb{R}$, which by the Frobenius theorem must be $mathbb{R}, mathbb{C}$, or $mathbb{H}$. The latter two cases can't happen if $n$ is odd (because $mathbb{C}$ and $mathbb{H}$ only act on $mathbb{R}^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $2$ or $4$ respectively).



If $n = 2k ge 4$ is even we can argue as follows: if the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb{C}$, then $SO(2k)$ must embed into $GL_k(mathbb{C})$ and hence into the unitary group $U(k)$, by compactness, and similarly on the level of Lie algebras. But this is impossible by a dimension count: $SO(2k)$ has dimension $k(2k-1)$, but $U(k)$ has dimension $k^2$, and for $k ge 2$ we have $2k-1 > k$. (For $k = 1$ they are equal, reflecting the coincidence $SO(2) = U(1)$.) So the endomorphism ring must be $mathbb{R}$. Probably a simpler argument is possible here.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$













  • $begingroup$
    Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:42












  • $begingroup$
    if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:43












  • $begingroup$
    @AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
    $endgroup$
    – lisyarus
    Feb 12 at 12:34














3












3








3





$begingroup$

This is a representation theory question: slightly generalized (there's no need to restrict our attention to $GL_n^{+}$), you're asking what the endomorphisms of $mathbb{R}^n$ as a representation of the Lie group $SO(n)$ (or, equivalently, the Lie algebra $mathfrak{so}(n)$) are.



This representation is always irreducible, so by Schur's lemma the endomorphisms form a division algebra over $mathbb{R}$, which by the Frobenius theorem must be $mathbb{R}, mathbb{C}$, or $mathbb{H}$. The latter two cases can't happen if $n$ is odd (because $mathbb{C}$ and $mathbb{H}$ only act on $mathbb{R}^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $2$ or $4$ respectively).



If $n = 2k ge 4$ is even we can argue as follows: if the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb{C}$, then $SO(2k)$ must embed into $GL_k(mathbb{C})$ and hence into the unitary group $U(k)$, by compactness, and similarly on the level of Lie algebras. But this is impossible by a dimension count: $SO(2k)$ has dimension $k(2k-1)$, but $U(k)$ has dimension $k^2$, and for $k ge 2$ we have $2k-1 > k$. (For $k = 1$ they are equal, reflecting the coincidence $SO(2) = U(1)$.) So the endomorphism ring must be $mathbb{R}$. Probably a simpler argument is possible here.






share|cite|improve this answer











$endgroup$



This is a representation theory question: slightly generalized (there's no need to restrict our attention to $GL_n^{+}$), you're asking what the endomorphisms of $mathbb{R}^n$ as a representation of the Lie group $SO(n)$ (or, equivalently, the Lie algebra $mathfrak{so}(n)$) are.



This representation is always irreducible, so by Schur's lemma the endomorphisms form a division algebra over $mathbb{R}$, which by the Frobenius theorem must be $mathbb{R}, mathbb{C}$, or $mathbb{H}$. The latter two cases can't happen if $n$ is odd (because $mathbb{C}$ and $mathbb{H}$ only act on $mathbb{R}^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $2$ or $4$ respectively).



If $n = 2k ge 4$ is even we can argue as follows: if the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb{C}$, then $SO(2k)$ must embed into $GL_k(mathbb{C})$ and hence into the unitary group $U(k)$, by compactness, and similarly on the level of Lie algebras. But this is impossible by a dimension count: $SO(2k)$ has dimension $k(2k-1)$, but $U(k)$ has dimension $k^2$, and for $k ge 2$ we have $2k-1 > k$. (For $k = 1$ they are equal, reflecting the coincidence $SO(2) = U(1)$.) So the endomorphism ring must be $mathbb{R}$. Probably a simpler argument is possible here.







share|cite|improve this answer














share|cite|improve this answer



share|cite|improve this answer








edited Dec 21 '18 at 23:25

























answered Dec 21 '18 at 23:19









Qiaochu YuanQiaochu Yuan

282k32597943




282k32597943












  • $begingroup$
    Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:42












  • $begingroup$
    if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:43












  • $begingroup$
    @AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
    $endgroup$
    – lisyarus
    Feb 12 at 12:34


















  • $begingroup$
    Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:42












  • $begingroup$
    if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
    $endgroup$
    – Asaf Shachar
    Jan 30 at 8:43












  • $begingroup$
    @AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
    $endgroup$
    – lisyarus
    Feb 12 at 12:34
















$begingroup$
Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Shachar
Jan 30 at 8:42






$begingroup$
Hi, I know it has been some time ago, but coming to this question again, I see that I don't understand two things here: (1) Why the fact the endomorphism ring contains $mathbb C$ implies that $text{SO}(2k)$ embeds in $text{GL}_k(mathbb C)$? Can you describe the embedding more explicitly (I guess in terms of an endomorphism $J:mathbb R^n to mathbb R^n$ whose square is $-1$)? (2) Why can $mathbb H$ only act on $mathbb R^n$ when $n$ is divisible by $4$? (If I understand correctly, the reason why $mathbb C$ can only act on $mathbb R^n$ for even $n$ is that...
$endgroup$
– Asaf Shachar
Jan 30 at 8:42














$begingroup$
if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
$endgroup$
– Asaf Shachar
Jan 30 at 8:43






$begingroup$
if you have a $J in text{GL}(mathbb R^n)$ , $J^2=-1$ you can take determinants and see what happens. What is the argument for the quaternionic case? I appreciate your help.
$endgroup$
– Asaf Shachar
Jan 30 at 8:43














$begingroup$
@AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Feb 12 at 12:34




$begingroup$
@AsafShachar Concerning your second question: both $mathbb C$ and $mathbb H$ are division algebras; if a division algebra $A$ over $mathbb R$ acts on an $mathbb R$-vector space $V$, $V$ in turn is an $A$-vector space. If $V$ has dimension $n$ over $A$, it has dimension $n cdot dim A$ over $mathbb R$.
$endgroup$
– lisyarus
Feb 12 at 12:34


















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