Solution

ID: past-exam-of-the-mathematics-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2017/iii/paper-102/2/i/solution

For the finite-dimensional Lie algebra representation specified in the PDF, a Lie-invariant bilinear form satisfies
The dual Lie algebra representation has action , so the map defined by is an intertwining operator. If is irreducible and , its kernel is zero. Since have equal finite dimension, is an isomorphism, and is a nondegenerate bilinear form.
For , the composition is a representation endomorphism. Over an algebraically closed field, the Schur lemma makes it scalar, proving
Transposing gives another Lie-invariant bilinear form. For , write ; transposing twice gives . In field characteristic different from two, this means or . Thus the form is a symmetric bilinear form or an alternating bilinear form, respectively. The zero form has both properties. In the second case forces , using the same characteristic assumption.

New to topics? Read the docs here!