- Artin–Wedderburn theorem
In
abstract algebra , the Artin–Wedderburn theorem is aclassification theorem for semisimple rings. The theorem states that a semisimple ring "R" is isomorphic to a product of "ni"-by-"ni"matrix ring s overdivision ring s "Di", for some integers "ni", both of which are uniquely determined up to permutation of the index "i". In particular, any simple left or rightArtinian ring is isomorphic to an "n"-by-"n"matrix ring over adivision ring "D", where both "n" and "D" are uniquely determined.As a direct corollary, the Artin–Wedderburn theorem implies that every simple ring that is finite-dimensional over a division ring (a simple algebra) is a
matrix ring . This isJoseph Wedderburn 's original result.Emil Artin later generalized it to the case of Artinian rings.Note that if "R" is a finite-dimensional simple algebra over a division ring "E", "D" need not be contained in "E". For example, matrix rings over the
complex number s are finite-dimensional simple algebras over thereal number s.The Artin–Wedderburn theorem reduces classifying simple rings over a division ring to classifying division rings that contain a given division ring. This in turn can be simplified: The center of "D" must be a field K. Therefore "R" is a "K"-algebra, and itself has "K" as its center. A finite-dimensional simple algebra "R" is thus a
central simple algebra over K. Thus the Artin–Wedderburn theorem reduces the problem of classifying finite-dimensional central simple algebras to the problem of classifying division rings with given center.Examples
Let R be the field of real numbers, C be the field of complex numbers, and H the
quaternion s.* Every finite-dimensional simple algebra over R must be a matrix ring over R, C, or H. Every central simple algebra over R must be a matrix ring over R or H. These results follow from the Frobenius theorem.
* Every finite-dimensional simple algebra over C must be a matrix ring over C and hence every central simple algebra over C must be a matrix ring over C.
* Every finite-dimensional central simple algebra over afinite field must be a matrix ring over that field.ee also
*
Maschke's theorem
* Frobenius theorem
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