# S0(3)/SO(2) is isomorphic to the projective plane

1. Mar 21, 2007

### eddo

For an assignment, my prof asked that we show that S0(3)/SO(2) is isomorphic to the projective plane (ie the 2-sphere with antipodal points identified). Here's my problem. I checked in a textbook for some help, and it claimed that SO(3)/SO(2) is isomorphic to the 2-sphere. So which one is right? It would be nice to know what I should be trying to prove before I put too much work in. Thank you.

2. Mar 22, 2007

### George Jones

Staff Emeritus
$$S^n \cong SO \left( n+1 \right)/SO \left( n \right)$$

and

$$\mathbb{R}P^n \cong SO \left( n+1 \right)/O \left( n \right),$$

so $SO \left( 3 \right)/SO \left( 2 \right)$ is isomorphic to the 2-sphere, and $SO \left( 3 \right)/O \left( 2 \right)$ is isomorphic to the projective plane.

Last edited: Mar 22, 2007
3. Mar 22, 2007

### eddo

Thank you. Intuitively that's what I expected to be the case, because of the relationship between O(n) and SO(n). It makes sense that antipodal points get identified if you mod out by O(n) because the reflections that O(n) has over SO(n) would identify these points. But you can't always count on intuition so thank you for verifying this.