Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2024 iii Paper 102 3 b v Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
The preceding Dynkin diagram identifies the root system with . The classification of finite-dimensional complex simple Lie algebras by connected Dynkin diagrams therefore givesThis is the Isomorphism between so6 and sl4. Both algebras have dimension , consistently with the classification.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2025 iii Paper 102 1 e Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
The Killing form of a complex simple Lie algebra is nondegenerate. Since is also nondegenerate, there is a unique endomorphism of satisfyingInvariance of both forms givesso intertwines the adjoint representation. That representation is irreducible because its invariant subspaces are ideals. The Schur lemma therefore gives . Since is nondegenerate, , andThis is the uniqueness of an invariant bilinear form on a simple Lie algebra.
Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge 2026 iii Paper 302 3 d Solution Created 2026-09-24 Updated 2026-10-05
Let be invariant under the Adjoint representation of a Lie algebra. Then , so is an ideal. If is a simple Lie algebra, its only ideals are and . Hence the adjoint representation is irreducible. Compact type is compatible with the anti-Hermitian realization used below, although simplicity alone proves this adjoint irreducibility of a simple Lie algebra.
sl2 triple 2026-10-14
An sl2 triple consists of elements of a Lie algebra satisfying the displayed brackets. It defines a homomorphism from by sending its standard generators to . A nonzero homomorphism is injective because is a simple Lie algebra. Root vectors and their coroot give such triples in a semisimple Lie algebra, and their representations supply finite weight strings.