Flexible algebraIn mathematics, particularly abstract algebra, a binary operation • on a set is flexible if it satisfies the flexible identity: for any two elements a and b of the set. A magma (that is, a set equipped with a binary operation) is flexible if the binary operation with which it is equipped is flexible. Similarly, a nonassociative algebra is flexible if its multiplication operator is flexible. Every commutative or associative operation is flexible, so flexibility becomes important for binary operations that are neither commutative nor associative, e.
Free algebraIn mathematics, especially in the area of abstract algebra known as ring theory, a free algebra is the noncommutative analogue of a polynomial ring since its elements may be described as "polynomials" with non-commuting variables. Likewise, the polynomial ring may be regarded as a free commutative algebra. For R a commutative ring, the free (associative, unital) algebra on n indeterminates {X1,...,Xn} is the free R-module with a basis consisting of all words over the alphabet {X1,...
Hurwitz's theorem (composition algebras)In mathematics, Hurwitz's theorem is a theorem of Adolf Hurwitz (1859–1919), published posthumously in 1923, solving the Hurwitz problem for finite-dimensional unital real non-associative algebras endowed with a positive-definite quadratic form. The theorem states that if the quadratic form defines a homomorphism into the positive real numbers on the non-zero part of the algebra, then the algebra must be isomorphic to the real numbers, the complex numbers, the quaternions, or the octonions.
List of mathematical jargonThe language of mathematics has a vast vocabulary of specialist and technical terms. It also has a certain amount of jargon: commonly used phrases which are part of the culture of mathematics, rather than of the subject. Jargon often appears in lectures, and sometimes in print, as informal shorthand for rigorous arguments or precise ideas. Much of this is common English, but with a specific non-obvious meaning when used in a mathematical sense. Some phrases, like "in general", appear below in more than one section.
Transpose of a linear mapIn linear algebra, the transpose of a linear map between two vector spaces, defined over the same field, is an induced map between the dual spaces of the two vector spaces. The transpose or algebraic adjoint of a linear map is often used to study the original linear map. This concept is generalised by adjoint functors.
Split-biquaternionIn mathematics, a split-biquaternion is a hypercomplex number of the form where w, x, y, and z are split-complex numbers and i, j, and k multiply as in the quaternion group. Since each coefficient w, x, y, z spans two real dimensions, the split-biquaternion is an element of an eight-dimensional vector space. Considering that it carries a multiplication, this vector space is an algebra over the real field, or an algebra over a ring where the split-complex numbers form the ring.
Commutative magmaIn mathematics, there exist magmas that are commutative but not associative. A simple example of such a magma may be derived from the children's game of rock, paper, scissors. Such magmas give rise to non-associative algebras. A magma which is both commutative and associative is a commutative semigroup. Let , standing for the "rock", "paper" and "scissors" gestures respectively, and consider the binary operation derived from the rules of the game as follows: For all : If and beats in the game, then I.e.
Jordan algebraIn abstract algebra, a Jordan algebra is a nonassociative algebra over a field whose multiplication satisfies the following axioms: (commutative law) (). The product of two elements x and y in a Jordan algebra is also denoted x ∘ y, particularly to avoid confusion with the product of a related associative algebra. The axioms imply that a Jordan algebra is power-associative, meaning that is independent of how we parenthesize this expression. They also imply that for all positive integers m and n.
Gelfand representationIn mathematics, the Gelfand representation in functional analysis (named after I. M. Gelfand) is either of two things: a way of representing commutative Banach algebras as algebras of continuous functions; the fact that for commutative C*-algebras, this representation is an isometric isomorphism. In the former case, one may regard the Gelfand representation as a far-reaching generalization of the Fourier transform of an integrable function.
