Division algebra

A division algebra over a field $k$ is a division ring equipped with a unital algebra structure over $k$, with $k$ mapping into its center of an associative algebra. Every nonzero element is invertible; it need not be finite-dimensional over $k$.

A finite-dimensional associative division algebra over $\mathbb{R}$ is one of the three displayed algebras. A nonreal element has an irreducible quadratic minimal polynomial and yields $i^2=-1$. Its centralizer is a division algebra over central $\mathbb{C}$, hence is $\mathbb{C}$ by splitting minimal polynomials. Decompose the whole algebra into the plus and minus eigenspaces of conjugation by $i$. If the minus space is zero, the algebra is $\mathbb{C}$; otherwise it is $\mathbb{C}j$, since multiplying by $j^{-1}$ takes that space into the centralizer. One has $jz=\overline{z}j$ and $j^2\in \mathbb{R}$. Division forces $j^2<0$, which can be rescaled to $-1$, yielding $\mathbb{H}$. Of these, only $\mathbb{R},\mathbb{H}$ have center $\mathbb{R}$.

A central division algebra over $K$ is a finite-dimensional division algebra whose center is exactly $K$. It is a central simple algebra. Every Brauer group class has a unique central division algebra representative up to isomorphism.

Let $D$ be a finite-dimensional division algebra over an algebraically closed field $k$. Left multiplication by $a\in D$ has an eigenvalue $\lambda \in k$ and a nonzero eigenvector $v$. Thus $(a-\lambda )v=0$; multiplying by $v^{-1}$ gives $a=\lambda$. Every element is scalar, so $D=k$.

A quaternion is $a+bi+cj+dk$ with real coefficients, where $i^2=j^2=k^2=ijk=-1$. They form a noncommutative real division algebra. The norm squared is $a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2$, and every nonzero quaternion has inverse its conjugate divided by that squared norm. The unit quaternions form the Lie group $S^3$.

The displayed complex matrices, with real coefficients, form a four-dimensional real associative algebra. Their three imaginary basis matrices square to minus the identity and satisfy $JK=L$, $KL=J$, $LJ=K$, with the reversed products negative. For $\alpha =aI+bJ+cK+dL$, quaternionic conjugation gives $\alpha \overline{\alpha }=(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)I$. Every nonzero matrix therefore has inverse $\overline{\alpha }/(a^2+b^2+c^2+d^2)$ inside this algebra. This realizes the real division algebra of quaternions within $M_2(\mathbb{C})$; it is not a complex vector subspace.

A quaternion of norm $1$ is a unit quaternion. They form the topological group $\mathrm{Sp}(1)$ and identify with the sphere $S^3\subset {\mathbb{R}}^4$. Multiplication and inversion preserve the norm. The Hurewicz theorem identifies ${\pi }_3(S^3)$ with $H_3(S^3;\mathbb{Z})$; hence homotopy-group addition in a topological group shows that $q\mapsto q^m$ has mapping degree $m$, rather than $m^2$.