Can You Solve This Week's Compact Lie Group Problem?

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The problem presented involves demonstrating that the Euler characteristic of a non-trivial, connected, compact Lie group \( G \) is zero, denoted as \( \chi(G) = 0 \). Despite the challenge, no participants provided solutions to the problem. The thread indicates that a solution is available below for those interested. The discussion highlights the complexity of the topic within the context of Lie groups and their properties. Engaging with such problems can deepen understanding of algebraic topology and group theory.
Chris L T521
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Here's this week's problem.

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Problem: Let $G$ be a non-trivial, connected, compact Lie group. Show that $\chi(G)=0$. (i.e. it's Euler characteristic is zero)

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Hint:
Use the Lefschetz fixed point theorem.

 
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No one answered this week's question. You can find my solution below.

Proof: Let $G$ be a nontrivial compact, connected Lie Group. Since any Lie group can be given a simplicial complex structure, it follows that $G$ is also a polyhedron. Furthermore, since $G$ is compact, it is a space with finitely generated homology. Let $m_e:G\rightarrow G$ denote the left multiplcation map by $e$ (i.e. the identity of $G$). The map $m_e$ is clearly the identity map; furthermore, by one of the definitions of the Euler characteristic, we have that the Lefschetz number of $m_e$ is $\chi(G)$. Now, let $g\in G$ be any non-identity element. Define the map $m_g:G\rightarrow G$ by $g\mapsto gx$ for $x\in G$ (i.e. left multiplcation by $g$). Then $m_g$ has no fixed points in $G$.

Claim: The Lefschetz number of $m_g=0$.
Proof of Claim: Suppose the Lefschetz number of $m_g\neq 0$. Then, since $G$ is a compact polyhedron, we must have a fixed point by the Lefschetz fixed point theorem, which contradicts the fact that $m_g$ has no fixed points. Hence $m_g$ has a Lefschetz number of zero.$\hspace{.25in}\blacksquare$

We now show that $m_g$ and $m_e$ have the same Lefschetz number. Since $G$ is connected and a manifold, it is path-connected. Now, let $\gamma:[0,1]\rightarrow G$ be a path with $\gamma(0)=e$ and $\gamma(1)=g$. Consider the mapping $M:G\times[0,1] \rightarrow G$ given by $M(x,t)=\gamma(t)x$. Then $M(x,0)=m_e(x)$ and $M(x,1)=m_g(x)$. Furthermore, $M$ is continuous. Hence, $m_e$ and $m_g$ are homotopic maps and since Lefschetz numbers are homotopy invariant, they have the same Lefschetz numbers, i.e. $\chi(G)=0$.$\hspace{.25in}\blacksquare$
 

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