Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2003/iii/paper-16/5/c/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2003 iii Paper 16 5 c Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Consider the orientation-preserving affine group of the real line, realized asThe coordinates identify it smoothly with , so this Lie group is connected. Choose the Lie algebra element and the group element :Direct matrix multiplication gives .
If a bi-invariant Riemannian metric existed, every conjugation map would be an isometry fixing the identity. Its differential there, the Adjoint representation of a Lie group, would preserve the positive-definite inner product at the identity. Thusa contradiction since . Therefore this connected Lie group admits no bi-invariant Riemannian metric. This is the adjoint dilation obstruction to a bi-invariant Riemannian metric, an elementary alternative permitted by the question. The positive definite Riemannian metric interpretation matters; no claim about indefinite metrics is needed.
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