Generators of R4

[kaksmet]

Main Question or Discussion Point

Hey

Does anyone know where I can find the generators of the group of rotations in four dimensions?

thanks!

 

[matt grime]

The group of all rotation of R^4? That has an uncountable set of generators - I don't think you want to find those.

 

[kaksmet]

only needed a set of six that did generate the entire group. Found them, rotations "around planes" instead of around axes. thanks anyway.

 

[George Jones]

The group of all rotation of R^4? That has an uncountable set of generators - I don't think you want to find those.

This is an example of miscommunication between pure mathematicians and theoretical physicists, for whom the term "generators of the group" means quite different things.

Here, I think kaksmet was looking for a basis for the 6-dimensional Lie algebra of the Lie group of rotations on R^4.