A geometry for \(M_{24}\) (Q2365773)

This paper describes a (moderately) explicit construction of the 45- dimensional representations of the Mathieu group \(M_{24}\) over the field \(\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt{-7})\). To begin with, the restriction to a subgroup \(2^ 6: (S_ 3 \times L_ 3(2))\) is described in detail. This subgroup fixes a certain 3-space, in which it permutes a set of 21 vectors (up to sign). The geometry of the \(3795 \times 21\) images of these (projective) vectors is then described, in sufficient detail to give a construction in principle of one of the 45-dimensional representations. The other representation is the dual of the first one. In Section 4 the action of certain other maximal subgroups on this 45- space is described, which leads in Section 5 to a simplified construction using the subgroup \(2^ 4: A_ 8\). The latter construction could be used (preferably with the aid of a computer!) to write down explicit \(45 \times 45\) matrices over \(\mathbb{Q}(\sqrt {-7})\), generating \(M_{24}\).