Quaternions and Cayley Numbers

Quaternions and Cayley Numbers
Author: J.P. Ward
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 252
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9401157685

In essence, this text is written as a challenge to others, to discover significant uses for Cayley number algebra in physics. I freely admit that though the reading of some sections would benefit from previous experience of certain topics in physics - particularly relativity and electromagnetism - generally the mathematics is not sophisticated. In fact, the mathematically sophisticated reader, may well find that in many places, the rather deliberate progress too slow for their liking. This text had its origin in a 90-minute lecture on complex numbers given by the author to prospective university students in 1994. In my attempt to develop a novel approach to the subject matter I looked at complex numbers from an entirely geometric perspective and, no doubt in line with innumerable other mathematicians, re-traced steps first taken by Hamilton and others in the early years of the nineteenth century. I even enquired into the possibility of using an alternative multiplication rule for complex numbers (in which argzlz2 = argzl- argz2) other than the one which is normally accepted (argzlz2 = argzl + argz2). Of course, my alternative was rejected because it didn't lead to a 'product' which had properties that we now accept as fundamental (i. e.

On Quaternions and Octonions

On Quaternions and Octonions
Author: John H. Conway
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 172
Release: 2003-01-23
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 1439864187

This book investigates the geometry of quaternion and octonion algebras. Following a comprehensive historical introduction, the book illuminates the special properties of 3- and 4-dimensional Euclidean spaces using quaternions, leading to enumerations of the corresponding finite groups of symmetries. The second half of the book discusses the less f

Introduction to Octonion and Other Non-Associative Algebras in Physics

Introduction to Octonion and Other Non-Associative Algebras in Physics
Author: Susumu Okubo
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 152
Release: 1995-08-03
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0521472156

In this book, the author aims to familiarize researchers and graduate students in both physics and mathematics with the application of non-associative algebras in physics.Topics covered by the author range from algebras of observables in quantum mechanics, angular momentum and octonions, division algebra, triple-linear products and YangSHBaxter equations. The author also covers non-associative gauge theoretic reformulation of Einstein's general relativity theory and so on. Much of the material found in this book is not available in other standard works.

Octonions, Jordan Algebras and Exceptional Groups

Octonions, Jordan Algebras and Exceptional Groups
Author: Tonny A. Springer
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 212
Release: 2013-12-21
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 3662126222

The 1963 Göttingen notes of T. A. Springer are well known in the field but have been unavailable for some time. This book is a translation of those notes, completely updated and revised. The part of the book dealing with the algebraic structures is on a fairly elementary level, presupposing basic results from algebra.

The Geometry Of The Octonions

The Geometry Of The Octonions
Author: Tevian Dray
Publisher: World Scientific
Total Pages: 229
Release: 2015-04-08
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 9814401838

There are precisely two further generalizations of the real and complex numbers, namely, the quaternions and the octonions. The quaternions naturally describe rotations in three dimensions. In fact, all (continuous) symmetry groups are based on one of these four number systems. This book provides an elementary introduction to the properties of the octonions, with emphasis on their geometric structure. Elementary applications covered include the rotation groups and their spacetime generalization, the Lorentz group, as well as the eigenvalue problem for Hermitian matrices. In addition, more sophisticated applications include the exceptional Lie groups, octonionic projective spaces, and applications to particle physics including the remarkable fact that classical supersymmetry only exists in particular spacetime dimensions.

Quaternion Algebras

Quaternion Algebras
Author: John Voight
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 877
Release: 2021-06-28
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 3030566943

This open access textbook presents a comprehensive treatment of the arithmetic theory of quaternion algebras and orders, a subject with applications in diverse areas of mathematics. Written to be accessible and approachable to the graduate student reader, this text collects and synthesizes results from across the literature. Numerous pathways offer explorations in many different directions, while the unified treatment makes this book an essential reference for students and researchers alike. Divided into five parts, the book begins with a basic introduction to the noncommutative algebra underlying the theory of quaternion algebras over fields, including the relationship to quadratic forms. An in-depth exploration of the arithmetic of quaternion algebras and orders follows. The third part considers analytic aspects, starting with zeta functions and then passing to an idelic approach, offering a pathway from local to global that includes strong approximation. Applications of unit groups of quaternion orders to hyperbolic geometry and low-dimensional topology follow, relating geometric and topological properties to arithmetic invariants. Arithmetic geometry completes the volume, including quaternionic aspects of modular forms, supersingular elliptic curves, and the moduli of QM abelian surfaces. Quaternion Algebras encompasses a vast wealth of knowledge at the intersection of many fields. Graduate students interested in algebra, geometry, and number theory will appreciate the many avenues and connections to be explored. Instructors will find numerous options for constructing introductory and advanced courses, while researchers will value the all-embracing treatment. Readers are assumed to have some familiarity with algebraic number theory and commutative algebra, as well as the fundamentals of linear algebra, topology, and complex analysis. More advanced topics call upon additional background, as noted, though essential concepts and motivation are recapped throughout.

Visualizing Quaternions

Visualizing Quaternions
Author: Andrew J. Hanson
Publisher: Elsevier
Total Pages: 530
Release: 2006-02-06
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0080474772

Introduced 160 years ago as an attempt to generalize complex numbers to higher dimensions, quaternions are now recognized as one of the most important concepts in modern computer graphics. They offer a powerful way to represent rotations and compared to rotation matrices they use less memory, compose faster, and are naturally suited for efficient interpolation of rotations. Despite this, many practitioners have avoided quaternions because of the mathematics used to understand them, hoping that some day a more intuitive description will be available.The wait is over. Andrew Hanson's new book is a fresh perspective on quaternions. The first part of the book focuses on visualizing quaternions to provide the intuition necessary to use them, and includes many illustrative examples to motivate why they are important—a beautiful introduction to those wanting to explore quaternions unencumbered by their mathematical aspects. The second part covers the all-important advanced applications, including quaternion curves, surfaces, and volumes. Finally, for those wanting the full story of the mathematics behind quaternions, there is a gentle introduction to their four-dimensional nature and to Clifford Algebras, the all-encompassing framework for vectors and quaternions. - Richly illustrated introduction for the developer, scientist, engineer, or student in computer graphics, visualization, or entertainment computing. - Covers both non-mathematical and mathematical approaches to quaternions.

A Taste of Jordan Algebras

A Taste of Jordan Algebras
Author: Kevin McCrimmon
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 584
Release: 2006-05-29
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0387217967

This book describes the history of Jordan algebras and describes in full mathematical detail the recent structure theory for Jordan algebras of arbitrary dimension due to Efim Zel'manov. Jordan algebras crop up in many surprising settings, and find application to a variety of mathematical areas. No knowledge is required beyond standard first-year graduate algebra courses.

That's Maths

That's Maths
Author: Peter Lynch
Publisher: Gill & Macmillan Ltd
Total Pages: 328
Release: 2016-10-14
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0717169561

From atom bombs to rebounding slinkies, open your eyes to the mathematical magic in the everyday. Mathematics isn't just for academics and scientists, a fact meteorologist and blogger Peter Lynch has spent the past several years proving through his Irish Times newspaper column and blog, That's Maths.Here, he shows how maths is all around us, with chapters on the beautiful equations behind designing a good concert venue, predicting the stock market and modelling the atom bomb, as well as playful meditations on everything from coin-stacking to cartography. If you left school thinking maths was boring, think again!

Clifford Algebras and Spinors

Clifford Algebras and Spinors
Author: Pertti Lounesto
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 352
Release: 2001-05-03
Genre: Mathematics
ISBN: 0521005515

This is the second edition of a popular work offering a unique introduction to Clifford algebras and spinors. The beginning chapters could be read by undergraduates; vectors, complex numbers and quaternions are introduced with an eye on Clifford algebras. The next chapters will also interest physicists, and include treatments of the quantum mechanics of the electron, electromagnetism and special relativity with a flavour of Clifford algebras. This edition has three new chapters, including material on conformal invariance and a history of Clifford algebras.