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Alternative algebra - Wikipedia

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In abstract algebra, an alternative algebra is an algebra in which multiplication need not

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-associat
algebras such as the octonions.

The associator[edit]
Alternative algebras are so named because they are the algebras for which the associator
alternating. The associator is a trilinear map given by

By definition, a multilinear map is alternating if it vanishes whenever two of its arguments a

equal. The left and right alternative identities for an algebra are equivalent to[1]

Both of these identities together imply that the associator is totally skew-symmetric. That is,

for any permutation σ. It follows that

for all x and y. This is equivalent to the flexible identity[2]

The associator of an alternative algebra is therefore alternating. Conversely, any algebra who
associator is alternating is clearly alternative. By symmetry, any algebra which satisfies a
two of:

is alternative and therefore satisfies all three identities.

An alternating associator is always totally skew-symmetric. The converse holds so long as t

characteristic of the base field is not 2.

Examples[edit]
Every associative algebra is alternative.
 The octonions form a non-associative alternative algebra, a normed division algebra of
dimension 8 over the real numbers.[3]
More generally, any octonion algebra is alternative.

Non-examples[edit]
The sedenions and all higher Cayley–Dickson algebras lose alternativity.

Properties[edit]
"Artin's theorem" redirects here. For Artin's theorem on primitive elements, see Primit
element theorem.

Artin's theorem states that in an alternative algebra the subalgebra generated by any tw
elements is associative.[4] Conversely, any algebra for which this is true is clearly alternati
It follows that expressions involving only two variables can be written unambiguously witho
parentheses in an alternative algebra. A generalization of Artin's theorem states that whenev
three elements in an alternative algebra associate (i.e., ), the subalgeb
generated by those elements is associative.

A corollary of Artin's theorem is that alternative algebras are power-associative, that is, t
subalgebra generated by a single element is associative.[5] The converse need not hold: t
sedenions are power-associative but not alternative.

The Moufang identities

hold in any alternative algebra.[2]

In a unital alternative algebra, multiplicative inverses are unique whenever they exi
Moreover, for any invertible element and all one has

This is equivalent to saying the associator vanishes for all such and . If and a
invertible then is also invertible with inverse . The set of all invertible elemen
is therefore closed under multiplication and forms a Moufang loop. This loop of units in
alternative ring or algebra is analogous to the group of units in an associative ring or algebra

Kleinfeld's theorem states that any simple non-associative alternative ring is a generaliz
octonion algebra over its center.[6] The structure theory of alternative rings is presented in.[

Applications[edit]
The projective plane over any alternative division ring is a Moufang plane.

The close relationship of alternative algebras and composition algebras was given by Guy Ro
in 2008:[8] He shows (page 162) the relation for an algebra A with unit element e and
involutive anti-automorphism such that a + a* and aa* are on the line spanned by e
all a in A. Use the notation n(a) = aa*. Then if n is a non-singular mapping into the field of
and A is alternative, then (A,n) is a composition algebra.

l [ di ]
See also[edit]
Algebra over a field
Maltsev algebra
Zorn ring

References[edit]
1. ^ Schafer (1995) p.27
2. ^ Jump up to: a b Schafer (1995) p.28
3. ^ Conway, John Horton; Smith, Derek A. (2003). On Quaternions and Octonions: Thei
Geometry, Arithmetic, and Symmetry. A. K. Peters. ISBN 1-56881-134-9. Zbl 1098.1700
4. ^ Schafer (1995) p.29
5. ^ Schafer (1995) p.30
6. ^ Zhevlakov, Slin'ko, Shestakov, Shirshov. (1982) p.151
7. ^ Zhevlakov, Slin'ko, Shestakov, Shirshov. (1982)
8. ^ Guy Roos (2008) "Exceptional symmetric domains", §1: Cayley algebras, in Symmetri
in Complex Analysis by Bruce Gilligan & Guy Roos, volume 468 of Contemporary
Mathematics, American Mathematical Society

Schafer, Richard D. (1995). An Introduction to Nonassociative Algebras. New York:

Dover Publications. ISBN 0-486-68813-5. Zbl 0145.25601.
Zhevlakov, K.A.; Slin'ko, A.M.; Shestakov, I.P.; Shirshov, A.I. (1982) [1978]. Rings that
are nearly associative. Academic Press. ISBN 0-12-779850-1. MR 0518614.
Zbl 0487.17001.

External links[edit]
Zhevlakov, K.A. (2001) [1994], "Alternative rings and algebras", Encyclopedia of
Mathematics, EMS Press