MHB Generalised Quaternion Algebra over K - Dauns Section 1-5 no 18

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The discussion focuses on proving the properties of an automorphism of order two in the context of Dauns' exercise on generalized quaternion algebra. The automorphism defined by mapping a = a1 + a2I to its conjugate ā = a1 - a2I is established as having order two, as applying it twice returns the original element. Participants express difficulty in demonstrating that this automorphism extends to the inner automorphism of K[I, J], particularly in verifying that the transformation maintains the structure of the ring. Key steps include showing that the mapping is bijective and a ring homomorphism, as well as confirming that it correctly applies to elements involving J. The conversation emphasizes the importance of direct computation and understanding the definitions involved in extending the automorphism.
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In Dauns book "Modules and Rings", Exercise 18 in Section 1-5 reads as follows: (see attachment)

Let K be any ring with [FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]∈[FONT=MathJax_Math]K whose center is a field and $$ 0 \ne x, 0 \ne y \in $$ center K are any elements.

Let I, J, and IJ be symbols not in K.

Form the set K[I, J] = K + KI + KJ + KIJ of all K linear combinations of {1, I, J, IJ}.

Prove that the subring K = K + KI has an automorphism of order 2 defined by $$ a = a_1 + a_2I \rightarrow \overline{a} = a_1 - a_2I $$ for $$ a_1, a_2 \in K $$ which extends to an inner automorphism of order two of all of K[I,J], where $$ q \rightarrow \overline{q} = J_{-1}qJ = (1/y)JqJ $$ for $$q = a + bJ, a, b \in K $$. Show that $$ \overline{q} = \overline{a} + \overline{b}J $$.

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I can show that K = K + KI is an automorphism, but I am unsure of the meaning of an automorphism having order two - let alone proving it! So I would appreciate some help on showing that the automorphism has order two.

I cannot however show that it 'extends' to the inner automorphism of order two that is then defined.

I would appreciate help with these parts of the exercise.

Peter

[This has also been posted on MHF]
 
Last edited:
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Peter said:
In Dauns book "Modules and Rings", Exercise 18 in Section 1-5 reads as follows: (see attachment)

Let K be any ring with [FONT=MathJax_Main]1[FONT=MathJax_Main]∈[FONT=MathJax_Math]K whose center is a field and $$ 0 \ne x, 0 \ne y \in $$ center K are any elements.

Let I, J, and IJ be symbols not in K.

Form the set K[I, J] = K + KI + KJ + KIJ of all K linear combinations of {1, I, J, IJ}.

Prove that the subring K = K + KI has an automorphism of order 2 defined by $$ a = a_1 + a_2I \rightarrow \overline{a} = a_1 - a_2I $$ for $$ a_1, a_2 \in K $$ which extends to an inner automorphism of order two of all of K[I,J], where $$ q \rightarrow \overline{q} = J_{-1}qJ = (1/y)JqJ $$ for $$q = a + bJ, a, b \in K $$. Show that $$ \overline{q} = \overline{a} + \overline{b}J $$.

---------------------------------------------------------------------

I can show that K = K + KI is an automorphism, but I am unsure of the meaning of an automorphism having order two - let alone proving it! So I would appreciate some help on showing that the automorphism has order two.

I cannot however show that it 'extends' to the inner automorphism of order two that is then defined.

I would appreciate help with these parts of the exercise.

Peter


OK I have just been checking the order of an automorphism and it is actually quite straightforward - definition is as follows:

If the automorphism is $$ f: a \rightarrow \overline{a} $$ as in the exercise that we are focused on, then the order is the smallest $$ n \ge 1 $$ such that $$ f^n = E $$ where E is the identity function.

OK so in the exercise we have that $$ f: a \rightarrow \overline{a} $$ is obviously of order 2.

However I am still unable to show that K = K + KI 'extends' (?) to the inner automorphism specified.

Peter
 
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if we send every element of K to it's "I-conjugate":

a+bI --> a-bI

then wouldn't it make sense to also send:

(a+bI) + (c+dI)J --> (a-bI) + (c-dI)J?

all you're being asked to show is three things:

1) q-->q* is an automorphism (check that it's bijective, and is a ring-homomorphism).

2)(q*)* = q (and there exists some q for which q* is not q).

3) if q = a + bI + 0J + 0IJ, then q* = a - bI + 0J + 0IJ (so that q-->q* extends the automorphism of K).

Having shown this, verify by direct computation that for r,s in K:

(r + sJ)* = r* + s*J (use the automorphism property you proved above!).

(hint: what is J*, directly from the definition...isn't it (1/y)J3 = (1/y)(J2​)(J)?).
 

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