Lie groups: a problem-oriented introduction via matrix groups

Abstract

1. Symmetries of vector spaces: 1.1. What is a symmetry? 1.2. Distance is fundamental 1.3. Groups of symmetries 1.4. Bilinear forms and symmetries of spacetime 1.5. Putting the pieces together 1.6. A broader view: Lie groups 2. Complex numbers, quaternions and geometry: 2.1. Complex numbers 2.2. Quaternions 2.3. The geometry of rotations of R3 2.4. Putting the pieces together 2.5. A broader view: octonions 3. Linearization: 3.1. Tangent spaces 3.2. Group homomorphisms 3.3. Differentials 3.4. Putting the pieces together 3.5. A broader view: Hilbert's fifth problem 4. One-parameter subgroups and the exponential map: 4.1. One-parameter subgroups 4.2. The exponential map in dimension one 4.3. Calculating the matrix exponential 4.4. Properties of the matrix exponential 4.5. Using exp to determine L(G) 4.6. Differential equations 4.7. Putting the pieces together 4.8. A broader view: Lie and differential equations 4.9. Appendix on convergence 5. Lie algebras: 5.1. Lie algebras 5.2. Adjoint maps { big `A' and small `a' 5.3. Putting the pieces together 5.4. A broader view: Lie theory 6. Matrix groups over other fields: 6.1. What is a field? 6.2. The unitary group 6.3. Matrix groups over finite fields 6.4. Putting the pieces together 6.5. A broader view of finite groups of Lie type and simple groups Appendix I. Linear algebra facts Appendix II. Paper assignment used at Mount Holyoke College Appendix III. Opportunities for further study Solutions to selected problems Bibliography.