From Cayley-Dickson algebras to combinatorial Grassmannians

DOI10.3390/MATH3041192zbMATH Open1331.51004arXiv1405.6888OpenAlexW1914324947MaRDI QIDQ901470FDOQ901470

Authors: Metod Saniga, Frédéric Holweck, Petr Pracna 

Publication date: 12 January 2016

Published in: Mathematics (Search for Journal in Brave)

Abstract: Given a $2^N$-dimensional Cayley-Dickson algebra, where $3leqNleq6$, we first observe that the multiplication table of its imaginary units $e_a$, $1leqaleq{2}^N-1$, is encoded in the properties of the projective space PG$(N-1,2)$ if one regards these imaginary units as points and distinguished triads of them $e_a,e_b,e_c$, $1leqa<b<cleq{2}^N-1$ and $e_a{e}_b=pm{e}_c$, as lines. This projective space is seen to feature two distinct kinds of lines according as $a+b=c$ or $a+beqc$. Consequently, it also exhibits (at least two) different types of points in dependence on how many lines of either kind pass through each of them. In order to account for such partition of the PG$(N-1,2)$, the concept of Veldkamp space of a finite point-line incidence structure is employed. The corresponding point-line incidence structure is found to be a binomial $left({N+1choose2}_{N-1},{N+1choose3}_{3}ight)$-configuration ${calC}_N$; in particular, ${calC}_3$ (octonions) is isomorphic to the Pasch $(6_2,4_3)$-configuration, ${calC}_4$ (sedenions) is the famous Desargues $(10_3)$-configuration, ${calC}_5$ (32-nions) coincides with the Cayley-Salmon $(15_4,20_3)$-configuration found in the well-known Pascal mystic hexagram and ${calC}_6$ (64-nions) is identical with a particular $(21_5,35_3)$-configuration that can be viewed as four triangles in perspective from a line where the points of perspectivity of six pairs of them form a Pasch configuration. We also draw attention to a remarkable nesting pattern formed by these configurations, where ${calC}_{N-1}$ occurs as a geometric hyperplane of ${calC}_N$. Finally, a brief examination of the structure of generic ${calC}_N$ leads to a conjecture that ${calC}_N$ is isomorphic to a combinatorial Grassmannian of type $G_2(N+1)$.

Full work available at URL: https://arxiv.org/abs/1405.6888

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zbMATH Keywords

finite geometriesVeldkamp spacesCayley-Dickson algebras

Mathematics Subject Classification ID

Combinatorial structures in finite projective spaces (51E20) Configuration theorems in linear incidence geometry (51A20) Other finite incidence structures (geometric aspects) (51E30)

Cited In (5)

• The complement of binary Klein quadric as a combinatorial Grassmannian
• Veldkamp spaces: from (Dynkin) diagrams to (Pauli) groups
• Cayley-dickson algebras andRAloops
• GENERALIZED QUADRANGLES AND CUBIC FORMS
• The Cayley Grassmannian

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