Octonion algebraIn mathematics, an octonion algebra or Cayley algebra over a field F is a composition algebra over F that has dimension 8 over F. In other words, it is a unital non-associative algebra A over F with a non-degenerate quadratic form N (called the norm form) such that for all x and y in A. The most well-known example of an octonion algebra is the classical octonions, which are an octonion algebra over R, the field of real numbers. The split-octonions also form an octonion algebra over R.
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.
Bol loopIn mathematics and abstract algebra, a Bol loop is an algebraic structure generalizing the notion of group. Bol loops are named for the Dutch mathematician Gerrit Bol who introduced them in . A loop, L, is said to be a left Bol loop if it satisfies the identity for every a,b,c in L, while L is said to be a right Bol loop if it satisfies for every a,b,c in L. These identities can be seen as weakened forms of associativity, or a strengthened form of (left or right) alternativity.
QuasigroupIn mathematics, especially in abstract algebra, a quasigroup is an algebraic structure resembling a group in the sense that "division" is always possible. Quasigroups differ from groups mainly in that they need not be associative and need not have an identity element. A quasigroup with an identity element is called a loop. There are at least two structurally equivalent formal definitions of quasigroup. One defines a quasigroup as a set with one binary operation, and the other, from universal algebra, defines a quasigroup as having three primitive operations.
Alternative algebraIn abstract algebra, an alternative algebra is an algebra in which multiplication need not be associative, only alternative. That is, one must have for all x and y in the algebra. Every associative algebra is obviously alternative, but so too are some strictly non-associative algebras such as the octonions. Alternative algebras are so named because they are the algebras for which the associator is alternating. The associator is a trilinear map given by By definition, a multilinear map is alternating if it vanishes whenever two of its arguments are equal.
Power associativityIn mathematics, specifically in abstract algebra, power associativity is a property of a binary operation that is a weak form of associativity. An algebra (or more generally a magma) is said to be power-associative if the subalgebra generated by any element is associative. Concretely, this means that if an element is performed an operation by itself several times, it doesn't matter in which order the operations are carried out, so for instance .
OctonionIn mathematics, the octonions are a normed division algebra over the real numbers, a kind of hypercomplex number system. The octonions are usually represented by the capital letter O, using boldface O or blackboard bold . Octonions have eight dimensions; twice the number of dimensions of the quaternions, of which they are an extension. They are noncommutative and nonassociative, but satisfy a weaker form of associativity; namely, they are alternative. They are also power associative.
