On generalized quaternions

Generalized Quaternions

The quaternion group Q8 is one of the two non-abelian groups of size 8 (up to isomorphism). The other one, D4, can be constructed as a semi-direct product: D4 ∼= Aff(Z/(4)) ∼= Z/(4) o (Z/(4))× ∼= Z/(4) o Z/(2), where the elements of Z/(2) act on Z/(4) as the identity and negation. While Q8 is not a semi-direct product, it can be constructed as the quotient group of a semi-direct product. We wil...

Generalized quaternions and spacetime symmetriesa)

The construction of a class of associative composition algebras qn on R 4 generalizing the wellknown quaternions Q provides an explicit representation of the universal enveloping algebra of the real three-dimensional Lie algebras having tracefree adjoint representations (class A Bianchi type Lie algebras). The identity components of the four-dimensional Lie groups GL(qn,l) Cqn (general linear g...

ON QUATERNIONS By

Generalized Quaternions and Invariants of Virtual Knots and Links

In this paper we will call this the fundamental algebra and the single relation will be called the fundamental relation or equation. This relation arises naturally from attempts to find representations of the braid group. Representations of the fundamental algebra as matrices can be used to define representations of the virtual braid group and invariants of virtual knots and links. In [BuF] we ...

Understanding quaternions

The invention of the calculus of quaternions is a step towards the knowledge of quantities related to space which can only be compared for its importance with the invention of triple coordinates by Descartes. The ideas of this calculus, as distinguished from its operations and symbols, are fitted to be of the greatest use in all parts of science.-Clerk Maxwell, 1869. Quaternions came from Hamil...