An integrality theorem of root systems (Q2372445): Difference between revisions

Let \(\Phi\) be an irreducible root system, and \(\Delta\) be a base for \(\Phi\). It is well known that any root in \(\Phi\) is an integral combination of the roots in \(\Delta\). The authors pose a natural question: If \(S\) is a linearly dependent subset of \(\Phi\), can there be a linearly independent subset of \(S\) which generates \(S\)? They prove that any indecomposable subset \(S\) of \(\Phi\) is generated by an indecomposable linearly independent subset of \(S\).