This book aims to fill a gap in the literature by introducing Lie theory to junior and senior level undergraduates. In order to achieve this, the author focuses on the so-called "classical groups,'' viewed as matrix groups with real, complex, or quaternion entries. This allows them to be studied by elementary methods from calculus and linear algebra. Each chapter is enhanced with numerous exercises, discussion of further results, and historical comments.

In this new textbook, acclaimed author John Stillwell presents a lucid introduction to Lie theory suitable for junior and senior level undergraduates. In order to achieve this, he focuses on the so-called "classical groups'' that capture the symmetries of real, complex, and quaternion spaces. These symmetry groups may be represented by matrices, which allows them to be studied by elementary methods from calculus and linear algebra.

This naive approach to Lie theory is originally due to von Neumann, and it is now possible to streamline it by using standard results of undergraduate mathematics. To compensate for the limitations of the naive approach, end of chapter discussions introduce important results beyond those proved in the book, as part of an informal sketch of Lie theory and its history.

John Stillwell is Professor of Mathematics at the University of San Francisco. He is the author of several highly regarded books published by Springer, including The Four Pillars of Geometry (2005), Elements of Number Theory (2003), Mathematics and Its History (Second Edition, 2002), Numbers and Geometry (1998) and Elements of Algebra (1994).

Makes some basic Lie theory accessible Unique choice of approach and topics Introduces an advanced topic to undergraduates, at just the right pace Author includes exercises and examples Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
John Stillwell is a professor of mathematics at the University of San Francisco. He is also an accomplished author, having published several books.

Inhalt
Geometry of complex numbers and quaternions.- Groups.- Generalized rotation groups.- The exponential map.- The tangent space.- Structure of Lie algebras.- The matrix logarithm.- Topology.- Simply connected Lie groups.