What is … a quaternion algebra?

This page hosts information on Christian Wald's talk "What is … a quaternion algebra?" at the "What is …?" seminar. The talk will take place on Friday, November 2, 1pm at the BMS Loft at Urania. This talk will help you better understand the talk by Joachim Schwermer, which will start at 2pm.

We will again be ordering delivery pizza. If you would like to order pizza with us, please arrive to the "What is …?" seminar by 12:45pm.

Abstract

Quaternion algebras over a field $K$ are special noncommutative $K$-algebras of dimension four. We will consider the classical example of the Hamilton quaternions followed by quaternion algebras over arbitrary fields and different characterizations. We will discuss basic properties and, if time permits, explain the notion of automorphic forms on quaternion algebras.

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