Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2007/iii/paper-4/2/i/solution
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2007 iii Paper 4 2 i Solution by
Codex 0 Created 2026-10-03 Updated 2026-10-14
Put and . A Cartan subalgebra isThe defining matrix condition says . Using the matrix units, the nonzero root spaces have the following generators:Commuting each generator with gives its stated weight. Together with , these matrices span the Special orthogonal Lie algebra; there are independent generators. Thus its decomposition as a Cartan subalgebra module isThis is the Bn root system. The upper-triangular generators select the positive rootsIts simple roots and highest root, for , areTo see the simplicity assertion, , while and . The coefficient pattern for dominates those of every positive root.
Normalize the inner product so the are orthonormal. The simple coroots are for and . Solving gives the fundamental weightsIn the half-sum of positive roots, the coordinate occurs with total coefficient . Hence the Weyl vector is
The Dynkin diagram is a chain , with single bonds up to and a double last bond pointing towards the short root . In the Extended Dynkin diagram, add . For , and its inner product with every other simple root is zero, so it attaches to by a single bond. For , both long nodes attach by double bonds to short node . These rules give the Bn Dynkin diagram and affine extension drawn below.
For rank one, , , , and . The finite diagram is one node; its affine extension has two equal-length nodes joined by a double bond, without a short-root arrow.
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