Notes for

Humphreys’
GTM 9

Take note: Gau Syu

Last Update: August 6, 2013

Contents

I Basic Concepts 2
1 Definition and first examples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Ideals and homomorphisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3 Solvable and nilpotent Lie algebras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

II Semisimple Lie Algebras 15

4 Theorems of Lie and Cartan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
5 Killing form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
6 Complete reducibility of representations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
7 Representations of sl(2, F ) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
8 Root space decomposition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

III Root System 30

9 Axiomatics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
10 Simple roots and Weyl group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
11 Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
12 Construction of root systems and automorphisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
13 Abstract theory of weights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

IV Isomorphism and Conjugacy Theorem 41

14 Isomorphism theorem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
15 Cartan subalgebras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
16 Conjugacy theorems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

V Existence Theorem 43
17 Universal enveloping algebras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43
18 Generators and relations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
19 The simple algebras . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

VI Representation Theory 46
20 Weights and maximal vectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
21 Finite dimensional modules. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Index 48

1
Chapter I
Basic Concepts
1 Definition and first examples
Definition 1.1. A Lie algebra is a vector space with an skew-symmetric bilinear oper-
ation satisfying Jacobi identity.
Example 1.1 (Al ). Let dim V = l + 1, the set of endomorphisms of V having trace 0,
usually denoted by sl(V ) or sl(l + 1, F ), is called special linear algebra.
dim Al = (l + 1)2 − 1, basis:
hi = eii − ei+1,i+1 (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l)
eij (i ̸= j)
Example 1.2 (Cl ). Let dim V = 2l, f be the symplectic form on V , the set of all
endomorphisms x of V satisfying f (x(v), w) = −f (v, x(w)), usually denoted by sp(V ) or
sp(2l, F ), is called the symplectic algebra.

( )
0 Il
sp(2l, F ) = {x ∈ gl(2l, F ) | sx = −xt s} s = −I l 0
{( A B ) }
= C −At | A, B, C ∈ gl(l, F ), B = B , C = C t
t

dim Cl = 2l2 + l, basis:

eij − el+j,l+i (1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ l)
ei,l+j + ej,l+i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)
el+i,j + el+j,i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)
ei,l+i (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l)
el+i,i (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l)
Example 1.3 (B
( l ). Let
) dim V = 2l + 1, f be the symmetric bilinear form on V whose
1 0 0
matrix is s = 0 0 Il , the set of all endomorphisms x of V satisfying f (x(v), w) =
0 Il 0
−f (v, x(w)), usually denoted by o(V ) or o(2l + 1, F ), is called the orthogonal algebra.

( )
1 0 0
o(2l + 1, F ) = {x ∈ gl(2l + 1, F ) | sx = −x s} t
s= 0 0 Il
0 Il 0
{( ) }
0 b c
= −ct m p | p = −pt , q = −q t
−bt q −m
t

dim Bl = 2l2 + l, basis:

e1+i,1+j − e1+l+j,1+l+i (1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ l)
e1+i,1+l+j − e1+j,1+l+i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)
e1+l+i,1+j − e1+l+j,1+i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)
e1,1+i − e1+l+i,1 (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l)
e1,1+l+i − e1+i,1 (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l)

2
Example( 1.4 ) (Dl ). Let dim V = 2l, f be the symmetric bilinear form on V whose matrix
0 Il
is s = Il 0 , the set of all endomorphisms x of V satisfying f (x(v), w) = −f (v, x(w)),
usually denoted by o(V ) or o(2l, F ), is also called the orthogonal algebra.

( )
o(2l, F ) = {x ∈ gl(2l, F ) | sx = −xt s} s = I0l I0l
{( A B ) }
−At | A, B, C ∈ gl(l, F ), B = −B , C = −C
t t
= C

dim Dl = 2l2 − l, basis:

eij − el+j,l+i (1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ l)
ei,l+j − ej,l+i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)
el+i,j − el+j,i (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l)

Remark. The Lie algebra corresponding to Lie groups O(n, F ) and SO(n, F ) consists of
the skew-symmetric n × n matrices, with the Lie bracket [, ] given by the commutator.
One Lie algebra corresponds to both groups. It is often denoted by o(n, F ) or so(n, F ),
and called the orthogonal Lie algebra or special orthogonal Lie algebra.

Example 1.5. The set of upper triangular matrices t(n, F ); the set of strictly upper
triangular matrices n(n, F ); the set of all diagonal matrices d(n, F ).

[d(n, F ), n(n, F )] = n(n, F ) (1.1)

[t(n, F ), t(n, F )] = n(n, F ) (1.2)

Example 1.6. The only 2−dimensional non-Abelian Lie algebra has a basis x, y with
commutation:
[x, y] = x

• Derivation

– Inner derivation
– Jacobi identity is equivalent to say all ad x are derivations.
– Adjoint representation

• Structure constants

Exercise 1.1. Let L be the real vector space R3 . Define [xy] = x × y (cross product
of vectors) for x, y ∈ L, and verify that L is a Lie algebra. Write down the structure
constants relative to the usual basis of R3 .

Solution. Let e1 , e2 , e3 be the basis of L, then ei × ej = ek for (ijk) a cycle of (123). To

verify that L is a Lie algebra, it suffices to verify the Jacobi identity.
The structure constants are a312 = 1, a123 = 1, a213 = −1.

Exercise 1.2. Verify that the following equations and those implies by skew-symmetric
bilinear define a Lie algebra structure on a three dimensional vector space with basis x, y, z:
[xy] = z, [xz] = y, [yz] = 0.

Solution. The structure constants are a312 = 1, a123 = 0, a213 = 1.

3
 ( ) ( 0 ) ( )
Exercise 1.3. Let x = 00 10 , h = 10 −1 , y = 01 00 be an ordered basis for sl(2, F ).
Compute the matrices of ad x, ad h, ad y relative to this basis.
( 0 −2 0 ) (2 0 0 ) ( 0 0 0)
Solution. ad x = 0 0 1 , ad h = 0 0 0 , ad y = −1 0 0 .
0 0 0 0 0 −2 0 20

Exercise 1.4. Find a linear Lie algebra isomorphic to the nonabelian two dimensional
algebra constructed in Example 1.6.
( ) ( 0)
Solution. Consider the adjoint representation ad x = 00 10 , ad y = −1
0 0 .

Exercise 1.5. Verify the assertions made in example 1.5, and compute dimension of each
algebra, by exhibiting bases.
2 l2 −l
Solution. dim t(n, F ) = l 2+l , basis: eij (1 ⩽ i ⩽ j ⩽ l); dim n(n, F ) = 2 , basis:
eij (1 ⩽ i < j ⩽ l); dim d(n, F ) = l, basis: eii (1 ⩽ i ⩽ l).

Exercise 1.6. Let x ∈ gl(n, F ) have n distinct eigenvalues a1 , · · · , an in F . Prove that

the eigenvalues of ad x are precisely the n2 scalars ai − aj (1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ n), which of course
need not be distinct.

Solution. Choose a basis for F n so that x is a diagonal matrix whose entries are a1 , · · · , an .
Then the matrices eij are eigenvalues of x since xeij − eij x = ai eij − aj eij .

Exercise 1.7. Let s(n, F ) denote the scalar matrices in gl(n, F ). If char F is 0 or else a
prime not dividing n, prove that gl(n, F ) = sl(n, F ) ⊕ s(n, F ), with [s(n, F ), gl(n, F )] = 0.

Solution. Choose x ∈ gl(n, F ). Let s be the scale tr(x)/n. Then x − s ∈ sl(n, F ) and
s ∈ s(n, F ), so sl(n, F ) and s(n, F ) generate gl(n, F ). Since the sum of their dimensions
is n2 , gl(n, F ) = sl(n, F ) + s(n, F ) is a direct sum. Since scalar matrices commute with
all other matrices, we also get [s(n, F ), gl(n, F )] = 0.

Exercise 1.8. Verify the stated dimension of Dl .

Exercise 1.9. When char F = 0, show that each classical algebra L = Al , Bl , Cl or Dl is

equal to [LL]. (This shows again that each algebra consists of trace 0 matrices.)

Solution. It is sufficient to show L ⊂ [L, L].

• A1 :
1
e12 = [h, e12 ]
2
1
e21 = [e21 , h]
2
h = [e12 , e21 ]

• Al (l ⩾ 2):

eij = [eik , ekj ], k ̸= i, j; i ̸= j

hi = [eij , eji ], j ̸= i

4
 • Bl (l ⩾ 2):

e1,l+i+1 − ei+1,1 = [e1,j+1 − el+j+1,1 , ej+1,l+i+1 − ei+1,l+j+1 ]

e1,i+1 − el+i+1,1 = [e1,l+j+1 − ej+1,1 , el+j+1,i+1 − el+i+1,j+1 ]
ei+1,i+1 − el+i+1,l+i+1 = [ei+1,1 − e1,l+i+1 , e1,i+1 − el+i+1,1 ]
ei+1,j+1 − el+i+1,l+j+1 = [ei+1,1 − e1,l+i+1 , e1,j+1 − el+j+1,1 ]
ei+1,l+j+1 − ej+1,l+i+1 = [ei+1,i+1 − el+i+1,l+i+1 , ei+1,l+j+1 − ej+1,l+i+1 ]
el+i+1,j+1 − ej+l+1,i+1 = [el+i+1,l+i+1 − ei+1,i+1 , el+i+1,j+1 − ej+l+1,i+1 ]

where 1 ⩽ i ̸= j ⩽ l.

• Cl (l ⩾ 3):

eii − el+i,l+i = [ei,l+i , el+i,i ]

eij − el+j,l+i = [eii − el+i,l+i , eij − el+j,l+i ], i ̸= j
ei,l+j + ej,l+i = [eii − el+i,l+i , ei,l+j + ej,l+i ]
el+i,j + el+j,i = [el+i,l+i − eii , el+i,j + el+j,i ]

• Dl (l ⩾ 2):
1
eii − el+i,l+i = [eij − el+j,l+i , eji − el+i,l+j ]
2
1
+ [ei,l+j − ej,l+i , el+j,i − el+i,j ]
2
eij − el+j,l+i = [eii − el+i,l+i , eij − el+j,l+i ]
ei,l+j − ej,l+i = [eii − el+i,l+i , ei,l+j − ej,l+i ]
el+i,j − el+j,i = [el+i,l+i − eii , el+i,j − el+j,i ]

Exercise 1.10. For small values of l, isomorphisms occur among certain of the classical
algebras. Show that A1 , B1 , C1 are all isomorphic, while D1 is the one dimensional Lie
algebra. Show that B2 is isomorphic to C2 , D3 to A3 . What can you say about D2 ?

Solution. The isomorphism of A1 , B1 , C1 is given as follows:

A1 → B1 7→ C1
e11 − e22 7→ 2(e22 − e33 ) 7→ e11 − e22
e12 7→ 2(e13 − e21 ) 7→ e12
e21 7→ 2(e12 − e31 ) 7→ e21

For B2 , C2 we first calculate the eigenvectors for h1 = e22 − e44 , h2 = e33 − e55 and
h′1 = e11 − e33 , h′2 = e22 − e44 respectively. We denote λ = (λ(h1 ), λ(h2 )) for the eigenvalue
of h1 , h2 , λ′ is similar. See the following table:

5
 B2 C2
α = (1, 0) e21 − e14 α′ = (−1, 1) e21 − e34
−α = (−1, 0) e12 − e41 −α′ = (1, −1) e12 − e43
β = (−1, 1) e32 − e45 β ′ = (2, 0) e13
−β = (1, −1) e23 − e54 −β ′ = (−2, 0) e31
α + β = (0, 1) e15 − e31 α′ + β ′ = (1, 1) e14 + e23
−(α + β) = (0, −1) e13 − e51 −(α′ + β ′ ) = (−1, −1) e41 + e32
2α + β = (1, 1) e25 − e34 2α′ + β ′ = (0, 2) e24
−(2α + β) = (−1, −1) e43 − e52 −(2α′ + β ′ ) = (0, −2) e42

We make a linear transformation

′ 1 1 ′ 1 1
h˜1 = − h′1 + h′2 , h˜2 = h′1 + h′2
2 2 2 2
′ ′ ′ ′
Then α(h1 ) = α′ (h˜1 ), α(h2 ) = α′ (h˜2 ), β(h1 ) = β ′ (h˜1 ), β(h2 ) = β ′ (h˜2 ). So the iso-
morphism of B2 , C2 is given as follows:

B2 → C2
e22 − e44 7→ − 21 (e11 − e33 ) + 12 (e22 − e44 )
e33 − e55 7 → 2 (e11 −√e33 ) + 2 (e22 − e44 )
1 1

e12 − e41 7 → √2
2
(e12 − e43 )
e21 − e14 7 → 2 (e21 − e34 )
2

e32 − e45 7 → e13

e23 − e54 7 → √
e31
e15 − e31 7 → √2
2
(e14 + e23 )
e13 − e51 7 → 2
2 (e32 + e41 )
e25 − e34 7 → e24
e43 − e52 7 → e42
For A3 and D3 , we calculate the eigenvalues and eigenvectors for h1 = e11 − e22 , h2 =
e22 − e33 , h3 = e33 − e44 and h′1 = e11 − e44 , h′2 = e22 − e55 , h′3 = e33 − e66 respectively.

A3 D3
α = (1, 1, −1) e13 α′ = (0, 1, 1) e26 − e35
−α = (−1, −1, 1) e31 −α′ = (0, −1, −1) e62 − e53
β = (−1, 1, 1) e24 β ′ = (0, 1, −1) e23 − e65
−β = (1, −1, −1) e42 −β ′ = (0, −1, 1) e32 − e56
γ = (−1, 0, −1) e41 γ ′ = (1, −1, 0) e12 − e54
−γ = (1, 0, 1) e14 −γ ′ = (−1, 1, 0) e21 − e45
α + γ = (0, 1, −2) e43 α′ + γ ′ = (1, 0, 1) e16 − e34
−(α + γ) = (0, −1, 2) e34 −(α′ + γ ′ ) = (−1, 0, −1) e61 − e43
β + γ = (−2, 1, 0) e21 β ′ + γ ′ = (1, 0, −1) e13 − e64
−(β + γ) = (2, −1, 0) e12 −(β ′ + γ ′ ) = (−1, 0, 1) e31 − e46
α + β + γ = (−1, 2, −1) e23 α′ + β ′ + γ ′ = (1, 1, 0) e15 − e24
−(α + β + γ) = (1, −2, 1) e32 −(α′ + β ′ + γ ′ ) = (−1, −1, 0) e51 − e42

We take a linear transformation

′ ′ ′
h˜1 = −h′1 + h′3 , h˜2 = h′1 + h′2 , h˜3 = −h′1 − h′3

6
 ′ ′ ′
Then α(hi ) = α′ (h̃i ), β(hi ) = β ′ (h̃i ), γ(hi ) = γ ′ (h̃i ), i = 1, 2, 3. The isomorphism of
A3 and D3 can be given as follows:

A3 → D3
e11 − e22 7 → −(e11 − e44 ) + (e33 − e66 )
e22 − e33 7 → (e11 − e44 ) + (e22 − e55 )
e33 − e44 7→ −(e11 − e44 ) − (e33 − e66 )
e13 7→ e26 − e35
e31 7→ e62 − e53
e24 7 → e23 − e65
e42 7 → e32 − e56
e41 7 → e12 − e54
e14 7 → e21 − e45
e43 7 → e16 − e34
e34 7 → e61 − e43
e21 7 → e13 − e64
e12 7 → e31 − e46
e23 7 → e15 − e24
e32 7 → e51 − e42

Remark. We have

so(2) ∼
= S1
so(3) ∼
= sl(2) ∼
= sp(1)
so(4) ∼
= sl(2) ⊕ sl(2)
so(5) ∼
= sp(4)
so(6) ∼
= sl(4)

Remark. When F = C, there exist another isomorphism: su(2, C) ∼

= sl(2, C), where the
lie structure of su(2, C) is given by

[ei , ej ] = ϵijk ek

i.e.

[e1 , e2 ] = e3
[e2 , e3 ] = e1
[e3 , e1 ] = e2

However, su(2, R) ∼
̸ sl(2, R).
=
This example shows that isomorphic Lie algebras over C may not be isomorphic over
other fields.

Exercise 1.11. Verify that the commutator of two derivations of an F −algebra is again
a derivation, whereas the ordinary product need not be.

7
Solution. Let D1 and D2 be derivations of an F −algebra R, and pick x, y ∈ R. we check
that [D1 , D2 ] is a derivation:
[D1 , D2 ](xy) = D1 (D2 (xy)) − D2 (D1 (xy))
= D1 (D2 (x)y + xD2 (y)) − (D2 (D1 (x)y + xD1 (y)))
= D1 (D2 (x))y + D2 (x)D1 (y) + D1 (x)D2 (y) + xD1 (D2 (y))−
(D2 (D1 (x))y + D1 (x)D2 (y) + D2 (x)D1 (y) + xD2 (D1 (y)))
= (D1 (D2 (x)) − D2 (D1 (x)))y + x(D1 (D2 (y)) − D2 (D1 (y)))
= [D1 , D2 ](x)y + x[D1 , D2 ](y).

Now consider the F −algebra F [x, y] with derivations δ = ∂x ∂

and ε = ∂y∂
. Then their
product is not a derivation. If it were, then ε(a)δ(b) + δ(a)ε(b) = 0 for all a, b ∈ F [x, y],
but this is false by taking a = x, b = y.

Exercise 1.12. Let L be a Lie algebra over an algebraically closed field and let x ∈ L.
Prove that the subspace of L spanned by the eigenvectors of ad x is a subalgebra.
Solution. By definition, it is closed under addition. To see that it closed under the Lie
bracket, we need only do so for eigenvectors v and w of ad x. In particular, we have
[x, v] = av and [x, w] = bw for some a, b ∈ F . Then
[x, [v, w]] = [[x, v], w] − [[x, w], v] = a[v, w] − b[w, v] = (a + b)[v, w]
so [v, w] is also an eigenvector of ad x. Hence the subspace of L spanned by eigenvectors
of ad x is a subalgebra of L.

2 Ideals and homomorphisms

• Normalizer NL (K): the largest Lie subalgebra of L in which K is a Lie ideal.
– A subalgebra K is called self-normalizing if NL (K) = K.
• If a derivation δ is nilpotent, then eδ ∈ Aut(L).
– Leibnitz’ rule:
δn ∑ δ i x δ n−i y
n
(xy) =
n! i! (n − i)!
i=0

Exercise 2.1. Prove that the set of all inner derivations is an ideal of Der L.
Solution. For any δ ∈ Der L, x ∈ L, [δ, ad x] = ad δ(x) is a inner derivation.

Exercise 2.2. Show that sl(n, F ) is precisely the derived algebra of gl(n, F ) (cf. Exercise
1.9).
Solution. It is easy to see
[gl(n, F ), gl(n, F )] ⊂ sl(n, F )
Conversely, by exercise 1.9,
sl(n, F ) = [sl(n, F ), sl(n, F )] ⊂ [gl(n, F ), gl(n, F )]

8
Exercise 2.3. Prove that the center of gl(n, F ) equals s(n, F ) (the scalar matrices). Prove
that sl(n, F ) has center 0, unless char F divides n, in which case the center is s(n, F ).
∑
Solution. Clearly, we have s(n, F ) ⊂ Z(gl(n, F )). Conversely, Let A = aij eij ∈
i,j
Z(gl(n, F )), then for each ekl ∈ gl(n, F ),
∑
[A, ekl ] = aij [eij , ekl ]
i,j
∑
= aij (δjk eil − δli ekj )
i,j
∑n ∑
n
= aik eil − alj ekj
i=1 j=1
∑
n ∑
n
= (akk − all )ekl + aik eil − alj ekj
i=1 j=1
i̸=k j̸=l

So
akk = all , aij = 0, i ̸= j
i.e.
A ∈ s(n, F )
For sl(n, F ), if c ∈ Z(sl(n, F )), ∀x ∈ sl(n, F ), [x, c] = 0. But we know gl(n, F ) =
sl(n, F ) + s(n, F ) and s(n, F ) is the center of gl(n, F ). Hence c ∈ Z(gl(n, F )) = s(n, F ).
We have
Z(sl(n, F )) = sl(n, F ) ∩ s(n, F )
If char F does not divide n, each aI ∈ s(n, F ), a ̸= 0 has trace na ̸= 0, so aI ̸∈ sl(n, F ).
i.e., Z(sl(n, F )) = sl(n, F ) ∩ s(n, F ) = 0. Else if char F divides n, each aI ∈ s(n, F ) has
trace na = 0, in this case Z(sl(n, F )) = sl(n, F ) ∩ s(n, F ) = s(n, F ).

Exercise 2.4. Show that (up to isomorphism) there is a unique Lie algebra over F of
dimension 3 whose derived algebra has dimension 1 and lies in Z(L).

Solution. Let L0 be the 3−dimensional lie algebra over F with basis (x0 , y0 , z0 ) and
commutation:
[x0 , y0 ] = z0 , [x0 , z0 ] = [y0 , z0 ] = 0.
Suppose L be any 3−dimensional lie algebra over F whose derived algebra has dimen-
sion 1 and lies in Z(L). We can take a basis (x, y, z) of L such that z ∈ [LL] ⊂ Z(L). By
hypothesis, [x, y] = λz, [x, z] = [y, z] = 0, λ ∈ F . Then L → L0 , x 7→ x0 , y 7→ y0 , z 7→ λz0
is a isomorphism.

Exercise 2.5. Suppose dim L = 3, L = [LL]. Prove that L must be simple. [Observe first
that any homomorphic image of L also equals its derived algebra.] Recover the simplicity
of sl(2, F ), char F ̸= 2.

Solution. Let I be a proper ideal of L. It is clear from surjectivity of L → L/I that

[L/I, L/I] = L/I. From this, we rule out dim I = 2 because then L/I would have to be
Abelian, [L/I, L/I] = 0 ̸= L/I. Also, dim I = 1 implies that dim L/I = 2, and the only

9
non-Abelian 2−dimensional Lie algebra is described in Example 1.6 and is not equal to
its derived algebra. Hence I = 0, so L is simple.
Since [sl(2, F ), sl(2, F )] = sl(2, F ) if char F ̸= 2, and dim sl(2, F ) = 3, we see that
sl(2, F ) is simple for char F ̸= 2.

Exercise 2.6. Prove that sl(3, F ) is simple, unless char F = 3 (cf. Exercise 2.3). [Use
the standard basis h1 , h2 , eij (i ̸= j). If I ̸= 0 is an ideal, then I is the direct sum of
eigenspaces for ad h1 or ad h2 , compare the eigenvalues of ad h1 , ad h2 acting on the eij .]
Solution. Let I ̸= 0 be an ideal, and V0 = span{h1 , h2 }. It is easy to see that If one of
h1 , h2 is contained in I, then I = L.
Let a ∈ I be an eigenvector of ad h1 with eigenvalue λ, then by compute the eigenvalues
of ad h1 , we see that there exist an a′ ∈ L having eigenvalue −λ, then [a, a′ ] ∈ I. On the
other hand,
ad h1 ([a, a′ ]) = [λa, a′ ] + [a, −λa′ ] = 0
therefore [a, a′ ] ∈ V0 . Since I is the direct sum of eigenspaces, V0 ⊂ I, which implies
I = L. Hence L is simple.

Exercise 2.7. Prove that t(n, F ) and d(n, F ) are self-normalizing subalgebras of gl(n, F ),
whereas n(n, F ) has normalizer t(n, F ).
∑
Solution. Let a = aij eij ∈ gl(n, F ), [a, t(n, F )] ⊂ t(n, F ). But
ij
∑ ∑
[a, ekk ] = aij δjk eik − aij δki ekj
ij ij
∑ ∑
= aik eik − akj ekj
i j

⊂ t(n, F )
It must be aik = 0 for i > k, and akj = 0 for j < k. Hence akl = 0 for all k > l. This
implies a ∈ t(n, F ), i.e., t(n, F ) is∑the self-normalizing subalgebras of gl(n, F ).
Similarly for d(n, F ), let a = ij aij eij ∈ gl(n, F ), [a, d(n, F )] ⊂ d(n, F ). But
∑ ∑
[a, ekk ] = aij δjk eik − aij δki ekj
ij ij
∑ ∑
= aik eik − akj ekj
i j

⊂ d(n, F )
It must be aik = 0 for i ̸= k, and akj = 0 for j ̸= k. Hence akl = 0 for all k ̸= l. This
implies a ∈ d(n, F ), i.e., d(n, F ) is the self-normalizing subalgebras of gl(n, F ).

Exercise 2.8. Prove that in each classical linear Lie algebra, the set of diagonal matrices
is a self-normalizing subalgebra, when char F = 0.
Exercise 2.9. Prove the basic theorem for homomorphisms of Lie algebras.
Exercise 2.10. Let σ be the automorphism of sl(2, F ) defined as
σ = exp ad x · exp ad(−y) · exp ad x
Verify that σ(x) = −y, σ(y) = −x, σ(h) = −h.

10
Solution.

exp ad x(x) = x
exp ad x(h) = h − 2x
exp ad x(y) = y + h − x
exp ad(−y)(x) = x + h − y
exp ad(−y)(h) = h − 2y
exp ad(−y)(y) = y

σ(x) = exp ad x exp ad(−y)(x)

= exp ad x(x + h − y)
= x + h − 2x − y − h + x
= −y
σ(y) = exp ad x exp ad(−y)(y + h − x)
= exp ad x(y + h − 2y − x − h + y)
= exp ad x(−x)
= −x
σ(h) = exp ad x exp ad(−y)(h − 2x)
= exp ad x(h − 2y − 2(x + h − y))
= exp ad x(−h − 2x)
= −h + 2x − 2x = −h

Exercise 2.11. If L = sl(n, F ), g ∈ GL(n, F ), prove that the map of L to itself defined by
x 7→ −gxt g −1 (xt = transpose of x) belongs to Aut L. When n = 2, g = identity matrix,
prove that this automorphism is inner.
Solution. g ∈ GL(n, F ) and Tr(−gxt g −1 ) = − Tr(x), i.e, Tr(x) = 0 if and only if so is
Tr(−gxt g −1 ). So the map x 7→ −gxt g −1 is a linear space automorphism of sl(n, F ). We
just verify it is a homomorphism of lie algebras:

[−gxt g −1 , −gy t g −1 ] = gxt y t g −1 − gy t xt g −1

= −g((xy)t − (yx)t )g −1
= −g[x, y]t g −1

When n = 2, g = identity matrix, the automorphism σ : x 7→ −xt , i.e.

σ(x) = −y, σ(y) = −x, σ(h) = −h

So σ = exp ad x exp ad(−y) exp ad x is an inner automorphism.

Remark. Warning: An inner automorphism is not exactly of form exp adx with adx is
nilpotent. It can be the composition of elements with this form.
Exercise 2.12. Let L be an orthogonal Lie algebra (type Bl or Dl ). If g is an orthogonal
matrix, in the sense that g is invertible and g t sg = s, prove that x 7→ gxg −1 defines an
automorphism of L.

11
Solution. x ∈ Bl or Dl , sx = −xt s. Hence

sgxg −1 = (g −1 )t sxg −1
= −(g −1 )t xt sg −1
= −(g −1 )t xt g t s
= −(gxg −1 )t s

So the map x 7→ gxg −1 is a linear automorphism of Bl or Cl . We just verify it is a

homomorphism of lie algebras:

[gxg −1 , gyg −1 ] = gxyg −1 − gyxg −1 = g[x, y]g −1

3 Solvable and nilpotent Lie algebras

Exercise 3.1. Let I be an ideal of L. Then each member of the derived series or descend-
ing central series of I is also an ideal of L.

Solution. For the derived series, it is enough to show that [I, I] is an ideal by induction.
Pick x, y ∈ I and z ∈ L. Then [z, [x, y]] = −[y, [z, x]] − [x, [y, z]] ∈ [I, I] since [z, x], [y, z] ∈
I. For the descending central series of I, we have seen that I 1 = I (1) is an ideal. So
by induction, suppose that I k is an ideal. Then pick x ∈ I, y ∈ I k , z ∈ L. We have
[z, [x, y]] = −[y, [z, x]] − [x, [y, z]] ∈ I k+1 since [z, x] ∈ I and [y, z] ∈ I k . So I k+1 is also an
ideal.

Exercise 3.2. Prove that L is solvable if and only if there exists a chain of subalgebras
L = L0 ⊃ L1 ⊃ L2 ⊃ · · · ⊃ Lk = 0 such that Li+1 is an ideal of Li and such that each
quotient Li /Li+1 is abelian.

Solution. If L is solvable, take Li = L(i) . Then [Li , Li ] is an ideal of Li by the Jacobi

identity, and Li /[Li , Li ] is abelian. Conversely, given such a chain of subalgebras, we
see by induction that L( i) ⊂ Li because [Li , Li ] is the smallest ideal I for which Li /I is
abelian.

Exercise 3.3. Let char F = 2. Prove that sl(2, F ) is nilpotent.

Solution. Let (x, h, y) be the standard basis for sl(2, F ), then [hx] = 2x = 0, [xy] =
h, [hy] = −2y = 0. Hence [sl(2, F ), sl(2, F )] = F h, then sl(2, F ) is nilpotent.

Exercise 3.4. Prove that L is solvable (resp. nilpotent) if and only if ad L is solvable
(resp. nilpotent).

Solution. ad L is a homomorphic image of L, moreover, ad L ∼

= L/Z(L).

Exercise 3.5. Prove that the non-abelian two dimensional algebra constructed in Example
1.6 is solvable but not nilpotent. Do the same for the algebra in Exercise 1.2.

12
Solution. The 2−dimensional non-abelian Lie algebra L has basis {x, y} such that [x, y] =
x. Then it is clear that Li is the subspace spanned by x for i > 0, so L is not nilpotent.
However, L(1) = ⟨x⟩, so L(2) = 0 and hence L is solvable.
The Lie algebra L of Exercise 1.2 has a basis {x, y, z} such that [x, y] = z, [x, z] = y
and [y, z] = 0. Then Li = ⟨y, z⟩ for i > 0, so L is not nilpotent. However, L(1) = ⟨y, z⟩
and L(2) = 0, so L is solvable.
Exercise 3.6. Prove that the sum of two nilpotent ideals of a Lie algebra L is again a
nilpotent ideal. Therefore, L possesses a unique maximal nilpotent ideal. Determine this
ideal for each algebra in Exercise 3.5.
Solution. Let I, J are nilpotent ideals. We can deduce by induction that
∑
n
(I + J)n ⊂ I k ∩ J n−k
k=0

where I0 = J0= L. Then I + J is clear a nilpotent ideal.

Taking the sum of all nilpotent ideals of L gives a unique maximal nilpotent ideal.
In the 2−dimensional algebra of Example 1.6, the maximal nilpotent ideal can have
dimension at most 1 since it is not itself nilpotent, hence is the subspace spanned by x.
Similarly, the unique maximal nilpotent ideal of the Lie algebra of Exercise 1.2 is the
subspace spanned by y and z.
Exercise 3.7. Let L be nilpotent, K a proper subalgebra of L. Prove that NL (K) includes
K properly.
Solution. Since K is a subalgebra of L, ad K acts on L/K (quotient taken as vector
spaces). Since K is a proper subalgebra of L, we have L/K ̸= 0, so there exists a vector
v ̸∈ K such that [K, v] ⊂ K. In particular, v ∈ NL (K), so NL (K) properly contains
K.
Exercise 3.8. Let L be nilpotent. Prove that L has an ideal of codimension 1.
Solution. If dim L = 1, then 0 is a codimension 1 ideal. So suppose dim L > 1. If L is
abelian, then we take any codimension 1 subspace. Otherwise, 0 < dim L/[L, L] < dim L
since L is nilpotent. Since L = [L, L] is abelian, it has a codimension 1 ideal I. By the
dimension formula for vector spaces the inverse image of I has codimension 1 in L.
Exercise 3.9. Prove that every nilpotent Lie algebra L has an outer derivation, as follows:
Write L = K + F x for some ideal K of codimension one (Exercise 3.8). Then CL (K) ̸= 0
(why?). Choose n so that CL (K) ⊂ Ln , CL (K) ̸⊂ Ln+1 , and let z ∈ CL (K) − Ln+1 . Then
the linear map δ sending K to 0, x to z, is an outer derivation.
Solution. If K = 0, then CL (K) = L. Otherwise, K is nonzero and nilpotent since it
is a subalgebra of L, and hence Z(K) ̸= 0. Since Z(K) ⊂ CL (K), we conclude that
CL (K) ̸= 0.
For all k1 + λ1 x, k2 + λ2 x ∈ L, [k1 + λ1 x, k2 + λ2 x] ∈ K, so δ([k1 + λ1 x, k2 + λ2 x]) = 0.
In the other hand,
[δ(k1 + λ1 x), k2 + λ2 x] + [k1 + λ1 x, δ(k2 + λ2 x)]
= [λ1 z, k2 + λ2 x] + [k1 + λ1 x, λ2 z]
= λ1 λ2 [z, x] + λ1 λ2 [x, z]
=0

13
 We conclude that δ is a derivation. If δ is a inner derivation, δ = ad y, then [y, K] =
δ(K) = 0, so y ∈ CL (K) ∈ Ln . Then we have [y, x] ⊂ Ln+1 . But [y, x] = δ(x) = z ̸∈ Ln+1 .
This is a contradiction. So δ is a outer derivation.

Exercise 3.10. Let L be a Lie algebra, K an ideal of L such that L = K is nilpotent and
such that ad x|K is nilpotent for all x ∈ L. Prove that L is nilpotent.

Solution. If L/K is nilpotent, say (L/K)n = 0, then we know that Ln ⊂ K. The fact
that ad x|K is nilpotent for all x ∈ L then implies that ad x|Ln is nilpotent for all x ∈ L,
and hence L is nilpotent by Engel’s theorem.

14
Chapter II
Semisimple Lie Algebras
4 Theorems of Lie and Cartan
Exercise 4.1. Let L = sl(V ). Use Lie’s Theorem to prove that Rad L = Z(L), conclude
that L is semisimple (cf. Exercise 2.3).

Solution. Observe that Rad L lies in each maximal solvable subalgebra B of L. Select a
basis of V so that B = L ∩ t(n, F ), and notice that the transpose of B is also a maximal
solvable subalgebra of L. Conclude that Rad L ⊂ L∩d(n, F ), then that Rad L = Z(L).

Exercise 4.2. Show that the proof of Theorem 4.1 still goes through in prime character-
istic, provided dim V is less than char F .

Solution. The only part in which char F = 0 is used in the proof of Theorem 4.1 is to
show that nλ([x, y]) = 0 implies λ([x, y]) = 0. Here n < dim V , so using our relaxed
condition, this implication still holds.

Exercise 4.3. This exercise illustrates the failure of Lie’s Theorem when F is allowed to
have prime characteristic p. Consider the p × p matrices:
 
0 1 0 ··· 0
 0 0 1 ··· 0 
 
x= 
· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · , y = diag(0, 1, 2, 3, · · · , p − 1)
 0 0 0 ··· 1 
1 0 0 ··· 0

Check that [x, y] = x, hence that x and y span a two dimensional solvable subalgebra
L of gl(p, F ). Verify that x, y have no common eigenvector.

Solution. [x, y] = x. However, the eigenvectors of y are the standard basis vectors, and
none of these are eigenvectors for x since it operates by shifting entries.

Exercise 4.4. When p = 2, Exercise 3.3 show that a solvable Lie algebra of endomor-
phisms over a field of prime characteristic p need not have derived algebra consisting of
nilpotent endomorphisms (cf. Corollary C of Theorem 4.1). For arbitrary p, construct
a counterexample to Corollary C as follows: Start with L ⊂ gl(p, F ) as in Exercise 4.3.
Form the vector space direct sum M = L + F p , and make M a Lie algebra by decreeing
that F p is abelian, while L has its usual product and acts on F p in the given way. Verify
that M is solvable, but that its derived algebra (= F x + F p ) fails to be nilpotent.

Exercise 4.5. If x, y ∈ End V commute, prove that (x + y)s = xs + ys , and (x + y)n =

xn + yn . Show by example that this can fail if x, y fail to commute. [Hint: Show first that
x, y semisimple (resp. nilpotent) implies x + y semisimple (resp. nilpotent).]
(0 1)
Solution.
(0 0) For a counterexample when x and y do not commute, take x = 0 0 and
y = 1 0 . Then both x and y are nilpotent, but x + y is not nilpotent because its
eigenvalues are ±1.

15
Exercise 4.6. Check formula
n ( )
∑ n
(δ − (a + b).1) (xy) =
n
((δ − a.1)n−i x) · ((δ − b.1)i y)
i
i=0

Exercise 4.7. Prove the converse of Theorem 4.3.

Solution. The converse of Theorem 4.3 says that if L is a solvable subalgebra of gl(V )
where dim V < 1, then Tr(xy) = 0 for all x ∈ [L, L] and y ∈ L. By Lie’s theorem, we may
choose a basis for V such that L consists of upper triangular matrices. Then x ∈ [L, L] is
a strictly upper triangular matrix, and hence so is yx. Finally, tr(xy) = tr(yx) = 0, so we
are done.

Exercise 4.8. Note that it suffices to check the hypothesis of Theorem 4.3 (or its corollary)
for x, y ranging over a basis of [L, L], resp.L. For the example given in Exercise 1.2, verify
solvability by using Cartan’s criterion.

Solution. In the example given in Exercise 1.2,

     
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ad x = 0 0 1 , ad y =  0 0 0 , ad z = −1 0 0
0 1 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0

Also, [L, L] is spanned by y and z. Hence Tr(ad x ad y) = Tr(ad x ad z) = Tr(ad y ad z) =

0, so L is solvable.

5 Killing form
Exercise 5.1. Prove that if L is nilpotent, the Killing form of L is identically zero.

Solution. Pick x, y ∈ L. Then ad([x, y]) is nilpotent, and hence Tr(ad([x, y])) = 0. This
implies Tr(ad x ad y) = − Tr(ad y ad x), but Tr(ad x ad y) = Tr(ad y ad x) then gives that
Tr(ad x ad y) = 0, so the Killing form of L is identically zero.

Exercise 5.2. Prove that L is solvable if and only if [LL] lies in the radical of the Killing
form.

Solution. If L is solvable, then [L, L] lies in the radical of the Killing form by the corollary
to Theorem 4.3. The converse is Exercise 4.7.

Exercise 5.3. Let L be the two dimensional non-abelian Lie algebra of Exercise 1.6, which
is solvable. Prove that L has nontrivial Killing form.

Solution. The image (of the) adjoint (representation

) of L is a subalgebra of gl(2, F ) with
basis elements ad x = 00 10 , ad y = −1 0 . So Tr(ad x ad x) = 1, and hence the Killing
0 0
form of L is nontrivial.

Exercise 5.4. Let L be the three dimensional solvable Lie algebra of Exercise 1.2. Com-
pute the radical of its Killing form.

16
Solution. We compute the matrix of Killing Form κ relative to the basis (x, y, z):
 
2 0 0
κ = 0 0 0
0 0 0

Let s = ax + by + cz be any element in the radical S of κ. Then

 
2 0 0
(a, b, c) 0 0 0 = 0
0 0 0

So a = 0, and we see that S is spanned by y and z.

Exercise 5.5. Let L = sl(2, F ). Compute the basis of L dual to the standard basis, relative
to the Killing form.

Solution. The matrix of the Killing form relative to the basis (x, h, y) is
 
0 0 4
0 8 0
4 0 0

The basis of L dual to the standard basis is ( 14 y, 81 h, 14 x).

Exercise 5.6. Let char F = p ̸= 0. Prove that L is semisimple if its Killing form is
nondegenerate. Show by example that the converse fails. [Look at sl(3, F ) modulo its
center, when char F = 3.]

Solution. If Rad(L) ̸= 0, the last nonzero term I in its derived series is a abelian sub-
algebra of L, and by Exercise 3.1, I is a ideal of L. In another words, L has a nonzero
abelian ideal. It is suffice to prove any abelian ideal of L is zero.
Let S be the radical of the Killing form, which is nondegenerate. So S = 0. To prove
that L is semisimple, it will suffice to prove that every abelian ideal I of L is included in
S. Suppose x ∈ I, y ∈ L. Then ad x ad y maps L → L → I, and (ad x ad y)2 maps L into
[II] = 0. This means that ad x ad y is nilpotent, hence that 0 = Tr(ad x ad y) = κ(x, y),
so I ⊂ S = 0.

Exercise 5.7. Relative to the standard basis of sl(3, F ), compute the determinant of κ.
Which primes divide it?

Solution. We write down the matrix of ad x relative to basis

{e11 − e22 , e22 − e33 , e12 , e13 , e21 , e23 , e31 , e33 }

when x runs over this basis.

ad(e11 − e22 ) = diag(0, 0, 2, 1, −2, −1, −1, 1)

ad(e22 − e33 ) = diag(0, 0, −1, 1, 1, 2, −1, −2)

17
  
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
−2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
ad e12 =
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

 
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 −1 0
 
0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ad e21 
= 

2 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 −1
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 

−1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0
ad e13 =
0


 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 −1 0 0 0

0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
ad e31 
= 

0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
 
1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 −1 0 0 0 0 0
ad e23 =
0 0

 0 0 00 0 1
1 −2 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 −1 0 0
 
0 0 0 −1 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
ad e32 =
0 0

 0 0 0 0 0 0 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
−1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
18
 The matrix of the Killing form relative to this basis is
 
12 −6 0 0 0 0 0 0
−6 12 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
κ= 0

 0 6 0 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 6
 
0 0 0 6 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 6 0 0

Its determinant is det(κ) = 28 39 , so prime 2 and 3 divide the determinant of κ.

Exercise 5.8. Let L = L1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Lt be the decomposition of a semisimple Lie algebra L

into its simple ideals. Show that the semisimple and nilpotent parts of x ∈ L are the sums
of the semisimple and nilpotent parts in the various Li of the components of x.

Solution. Write x = x1 + · · · + xt where xi ∈ Li . We can decompose each xi as xi,s + xi,n

where xi,s is semisimple and xi,n is nilpotent. Note that ad xi and ad xj commute since
[xi , xj ] = 0. Hence ad xi,s and ad xj,s commute, as well as ad xi,n and ad xj,n . This
means that x1,s + · · · + xt,s is semisimple and that x1,n + · · · + xt,n is nilpotent, so by
uniqueness of Jordan-Chevalley decomposition, we conclude that xs = x1,s + · · · + xt,s and
that xn = x1,n + · · · + xt,n .

6 Complete reducibility of representations

Exercise 6.1. Using the standard basis for L = sl(2, F ), write down the Casimir element
of the adjoint representation of L (cf. Exercise 5.5). Do the same thing for the usual
(3−dimensional) representation of sl(3, F ), first computing dual bases relative to the trace
form.

Solution. For the adjoint representation of L = sl(2, F ), The matrix of β respect to basis
(x, h, y) is  
0 0 4
0 8 0
4 0 0
we can deduce the dual basis of (x, h, y) is ( 14 y, 81 h, 14 x). So the Casimir element of this
representation is
1 1 1
cad = ad x ad y + ad h ad h + ad y ad x
4 8 4
For the usual representation of L = sl(3, F ), The matrix of β respect to basis

{e11 − e22 , e22 − e33 , e12 , e13 , e21 , e23 , e31 , e33 }

19
is  
2 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0
−1 2 0 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
 
0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
 
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
We can deduce the dual basis is
2 1 1 1 1 2
e11 − e22 − e33 , e11 + e22 − e33 , e21 , e31 , e32 , e12 , e13 , e23
3 3 3 3 3 3
So 8 
∑ 3 0 0
cφ = xx′ =  0 8
3 0
8
x 0 0 3

Exercise 6.2. Let V be an L−module. Prove that V is a direct sum of irreducible sub-
modules if and only if each L−submodule of V possesses a complement.

Solution. If each L−submodule of V possesses a complement, then we can write V as a

direct sum of irreducible submodules by induction on dim V .
Conversely, suppose that V is a direct sum of irreducible submodules V1 ⊕ · · · ⊕ Vr ,
and let W be a proper L−submodule of V . The map V → V /W is surjective, and hence
there is some i such that Vi → V /W is a nonzero map. Since Vi is irreducible, it must be
injective, which means that Vi ∩ W = 0. By induction on codimension, Vi + W has a direct
sum complement W ′′ . Set W ′ = W ′′ + Vi . Then W ∩ (Vi + W ′′ ) = 0 and V = W ⊕ W ′ .

Exercise 6.3. If L is solvable, every irreducible representation of L is one dimensional.

Solution. Let V be a representation of L. By Lie’s theorem, there is a basis for V such

that L acts by upper triangular matrices. Then the subspace of V spanned by the first
basis vector is invariant under L. Hence if V is irreducible, it must be 1−dimensional.

Exercise 6.4. Use Weyl’s Theorem to give another proof that for L semisimple, ad L =
Der L (Theorem 5.3). [If δ ∈ Der L, make the direct sum F + L into an L−module via the
rule x.(a, y) = (0, aδ(x) + [xy]). Then consider a complement to the submodule L.]

Solution. Clearly, L is a submodule of F + L. By Weyl’s Theorem, it has a complement

of dimension 1. Let (a0 , x0 ), a0 ̸= 0 be its basis. Then L acts on it trivially. Hence

0 = x.(a0 , x0 ) = (0, a0 δ(x) + [x, x0 ])

i.e.
1 1
δ(x) = [ x0 , x] = ad x0 (x)
a0 a0
So δ ∈ Int L.

20
Exercise 6.5. A Lie algebra L for which Rad L = Z(L) is called reductive. (Examples:
L abelian, L semisimple, L = gl(n, F ).)
1. If L is reductive, then L is a completely reducible ad L−module. [If ad L ̸= 0, use
Weyl’s Theorem.] In particular, L is the direct sum of Z(L) and [LL], with [LL]
semisimple.
2. If L is a classical linear Lie algebra, then L is semisimple. [Cf. Exercise 1.9.]
3. If L is a completely reducible ad L−module, then L is reductive.
4. If L is reductive, then all finite dimensional representations of L in which Z(L) is
represented by semisimple endomorphisms are completely reducible.
Solution. 1. Let L be reductive. If L is abelian, then it is clearly completely reducible
as an ad L−module (ad L = 0). So assume ad L ̸= 0. Since ad L ∼ = L/Z(L) =
L/ Rad L, we see that ad L is semisimple. So by Weyl’s theorem, L is a completely
reducible ad L−module.
L/Z(L) is semisimple, so [LL]/Z(L) ∼ = [L/Z(L), L/Z(L)] ∼ = L/Z(L), hence
L = Z(L) + [LL]

On the other hand, Z(L) is a ad L−submodule of L and L is a completely reducible

ad L−module. So Z(L) has a component M in L.
L = M ⊕ Z(L)
where M is a ideal of L.
[LL] ⊂ [M ⊕ Z(L), M ⊕ Z(L)] ⊂ [M, M ] ⊂ M

We conclude that
L = [LL] ⊕ Z(L)
Hence [LL] ∼
= L/Z(L) is semisimple.
2. If L is a classical linear Lie algebra, by Exercise 4.1, Rad L = Z(L). And by Exercise
1.9, Z(L) = 0, so L = [LL] is semisimple.
3. L is a completely reducible ad L−module. Clearly Z(L) is a submodule. So
L = Z(L) ⊕ M
where M is a direct sum of some simple ideal of L. So M is semisimple. L/Z(L) ∼
=M
is semisimple. Hence 0 = Rad(L/Z(L)) = Rad L/Z(L). Hence Rad L ⊂ Z(L).
On the other hand, Z(L) ⊂ Rad L is clearly. We conclude that Rad L = Z(L), L is
reductive.
4. let L be reductive and let φ : L → gl(V ) be a finite-dimensional representation of L
in which Z(L) is represented by semisimple endomorphisms. Since Z(L) is abelian,
we may simultaneously diagonalize the elements of φ(Z(L)) to get an eigenspace
decomposition of V . Since [L, L] commutes with Z(L), each eigenspace is invariant
under [L, L]. On each such eigenspace W , each element of φ(Z(L)) acts as a scalar, so
L−submodules of W coincide with [L, L]−submodules of W . We conclude complete
reducibility from Weyl’s theorem for semisimple Lie algebras.

21
Exercise 6.6. Let L be a simple Lie algebra. Let β(x, y) and γ(x, y) be two symmet-
ric associative bilinear forms on L. If β, γ are nondegenerate, prove that β and γ are
proportional. [Use Schur’s Lemma.]
Solution. L is a irreducible L−module by ad, and L∗ is a L−module, We can define a
linear map ϕ : L → L∗ ; x 7→ βx , where βx ∈ L∗ defined by βx (y) = β(x, y). Then it is easy
to check that ϕ is a module homomorphism of L−module.
Similarly, we can define a linear map ψ : L∗ → L; f → xf , where xf defined by
f (z) = γ(xf , z) for all z ∈ L. This xf exists because γ is non-degenerate. Then ψ is also
a homomorphism of L−modules.
So ψ ◦ ϕ is a homomorphism from L to L, i.e, ψ ◦ ϕ is a endomorphism of L which
commutative with all ad x, x ∈ L, and L is a irreducible L−module. By Schur’s lemma
we have
ψ ◦ ϕ = λ id
So
β(x, y) = βx (y) = γ(xβx , y) = γ(ψ ◦ ϕ(x), y) = γ(λx, y) = λγ(x, y) ∀x, y ∈ L

Exercise 6.7. It will be seen later on that sl(n, F ) is actually simple. Assuming this and
using Exercise 6.6, prove that the Killing form κ on sl(n, F ) is related to the ordinary
trace form by κ(x, y) = 2n Tr(xy).
Solution. Clearly Tr(xy) is a nonzero symmetric associative bilinear form on sl(n, F ), its
radical is a ideal of sl(n, F ), hence is equal to 0, and Tr(xy) is nondegenerate. By Exercise
6.6, κ(x, y) = λ Tr(xy).
We can only compute it for x = y = e11 − e22 . In this case, Tr(xy) = 2. The matrix
of ad(e11 − e22 ) relative to the standard basis of sl(n, F ) is a diagonal matrix
diag(0, · · · , 0, 2, −2, 1, · · · , 1, −1, · · · , −1, 0, · · · , 0)
| {z } | {z } | {z }
n−1 2n−4 2n−4

Hence κ(x, y) = Tr(ad x ad y) = 4 + 4 + 2(2n − 4) = 4n = 2n Tr(xy).

Exercise 6.8. If L is a Lie algebra, then L acts (via ad) on (L ⊗ L)∗ , which may be
identified with the space of all bilinear forms β on L. Prove that β is associative if and
only if L.β = 0.
Solution. By definition,
z.β(x ⊗ y) = −β(z.(x ⊗ y))
= −β(z.x ⊗ y + x ⊗ z.y)
= β([x, z] ⊗ y) − β(x ⊗ [z, y])
Hence
L.β = 0 ⇐⇒ β([x, z] ⊗ y) = β(x ⊗ [z, y]), ∀x, y, z ∈ L
which means β is associative.
Exercise 6.9. Let L′ be a semisimple subalgebra of a semisimple Lie algebra L. If x ∈ L′ ,
its Jordan decomposition in L′ is also its Jordan decomposition in L.
Solution. This follows from the corollary to Theorem 6.4 by using the adjoint represen-
tation of L and noting that it is injective.

22
7 Representations of sl(2, F )
In these exercises, L = sl(2, F ).

Exercise 7.1. Use Lie’s Theorem to prove the existence of a maximal vector in an arbi-
trary finite dimensional L−module. [Look at the subalgebra B spanned by h and x.]

Solution. ϕ : L → gl(V ) is a representation. Let B be the subalgebra of L spanned by h

and x. Then ϕ(B) is a solvable subalgebra of gl(V ). And ϕ(x) is a nilpotent endomorphism
of V . By Lie’s theorem, there is a common eigenvector v for B. So h.v = λv, x.v = 0, v
is a maximal vector.

Exercise 7.2. M = sl(3, F ) contains a copy of L in its upper left-hand 2 × 2 position.

Write M as direct sum of irreducible L−submodules (M viewed as L−module via the
adjoint representation): V (0) ⊕ V (1) ⊕ V (1) ⊕ V (2).

Solution. Let h = e11 − e22 , x = e12 , y = e21 .

First, we know ad h.e12 = 2e12 , ad x.e12 = 0. So e12 is a maximal vector with highest
weight 2. It can generate a irreducible module isomorphic to V (2). Let

v0 = e12 , v1 = [e21 , e12 ] = −(e11 − e22 ), v2 = [e21 , −(e11 − e22 )] = −e21 .

So V (2) ∼
= span{e12 , e11 − e22 , e21 }.
ad h.e13 = e13 , ad x.e13 = 0. So e13 is a maximal vector with weight 1. It can generate
a irreducible module isomorphic to V (1).

[e21 , e13 ] = e23 .

We have V (1) ∼= span{e13 , e23 }.

ad h.e32 = e32 , ad x.e32 = 0. So e32 is a maximal vector with weight 1. It can generate
a irreducible module isomorphic to V (1).

[e21 , e32 ] = −e31 .

We have another V (1) ∼

= span{e31 , e32 }.
At last, we have a 1−dimensional irreducible submodule of V (0) ∼
= span{e22 − e33 }.
Then

M∼
= V (0) ⊕ V (1) ⊕ V (1) ⊕ V (2),

Exercise 7.3. Verify that formulas (a)-(c) of Lemma 7.2 do define an irreducible repre-
sentation of L. [Hint: To show that they define a representation, it suffices to show that
the matrices corresponding to x, y, h satisfy the same structural equations as x, y, h.]

23
Solution.

[h, x].vi = 2x.vi = 2(λ − i + 1)vi−1

h.x.vi − x.h.vi = (λ − i + 1)h.vi−1 − (λ − 2i)x.vi
= (λ − i + 1)(λ − 2i + 2)vi−1 − (λ − 2i)(λ − i + 1)vi−1
= 2(λ − i + 1)vi−1
[h, y].vi = −2y.vi = −2(i + 1)vi+1
h.y.vi − y.h.vi = (i + 1)h.vi−1 − (λ − 2i)y.vi
= (i + 1)(λ − 2i − 2)vi+1 − (λ − 2i)(i + 1)vi+1
= −2(i + 1)vi+1
[x, y].vi = hvi = (λ − 2i)vi
x.y.vi − y.x.vi = (i + 1)x.vi+1 − (λ − i + 1)y.vi−1
= (i + 1)(λ − i)vi − (λ − i + 1)ivi
= (λ − 2i)vi

Exercise 7.4. The irreducible representation of L of highest weight m can also be re-
alized “naturally”, as follows. Let X, Y be a basis for the two dimensional vector space
F 2 , on which L acts as usual. Let R = F [X, Y ] be the polynomial algebra in two vari-
ables, and extend the action of L to R by the derivation rule: z.f g = (z.f )g + f (z.g),
for z ∈ L, f, g ∈ R. Show that this extension is well defined and that R becomes an
L−module. Then show that the subspace of homogeneous polynomials of degree m, with
basis X m , X m−1 Y, · · · , XY m−1 , Y m , is invariant under L and irreducible of highest weight
m.

Exercise 7.5. Suppose char F = p > 0, L = sl(2, F ). Prove that the representation V (m)
of L constructed as in Exercise 7.3 or 7.4 is irreducible so long as the highest weight m is
strictly less than p, but reducible when m = p.

Solution. When m < p, conditions (a)-(c) of Lemma 7.2 still imply the irreducibility
of V (m). However, when m = p, the submodule spanned by {v0 , · · · , vm−1 } is invariant
under L, so V (m) is reducible.

Exercise 7.6. Decompose the tensor product of the two L−modules V (3), V (7) into the
sum of irreducible submodules: V (4) ⊕ V (6) ⊕ V (8) ⊕ V (10). Try to develop a general
formula for the decomposition of V (m) ⊗ V (n).

Solution. In general, for V = V (m) ⊗ V (n). We suppose m ⩾ n. ui , i = 0, · · · , m is the

basis of V (m) and vj , j = 1, · · · , n is the basis of V (n).

h.(ui ⊗ vj ) = (m + n − 2(i + j))ui ⊗ vj

Hence
Vm+n−2k = span{ui ⊗ vj , i + j = k}

24
 ∑
k
For k = 0, · · · , m, suppose w = λi ui ⊗ vk−i ∈ Vm+n−2k is a maximal vector. Then
i=0

∑
k
x.w = λi ((x.ui ) ⊗ vk−i + ui ⊗ (x.vk−i ))
i=0
∑k ∑
k−1
= λi (m − i + 1)ui−1 ⊗ vk−i + λi (n − k + i + 1)ui ⊗ vk−i−1
i=1 i=0
∑
k
= (λi (m − i + 1) + λi−1 (n − k + i))ui−1 ⊗ vk−i
i=1
=0

Therefore
λi (m − i + 1) + λi−1 (n − k + i) = 0
We conclude that
(n − k + i)!(m − i)!
λi = (−1)i λ0
(n − k)!m!
∑
k
Let λ0 = 1, then w = λi ui ⊗ vk−i is a maximal vector with weight m + n − 2k. It
i=0
generates a irreducible submodule of V isomorphic to V (m + n − 2k). So
⊕
n
V (m + n − 2k) ⊂ V (m) ⊗ V (n).
k=0

Compare the dimensional of two sides, we have the decomposition V (m) ⊗ V (n) ∼
=
V (m − n) ⊕ V (m − n + 2) ⊕ · · · ⊕ V (m + n).

Solution. To find a decomposition of V (m) ⊗ V (n), it is enough to count the dimensions

of eigenspaces of h. In particular, note that since h.(v ⊗ w) = h.v ⊗ w + v ⊗ h.w, if
v ∈ Vλ ⊂ V (m) and w ∈ Vµ ⊂ V (n), then v ⊗ w ∈ Vλ+µ ⊂ V (m) ⊗ V (n).
Hence the dimension of Vλ in V (m) ⊗ V (n) is the number of ways to write λ as a sum
of elements from the two sets {m, m − 2, · · · , −m} and {n, n − 2, · · · , −n}. Without loss
of generality, assume that m ⩾ n. Then λ can be written as such a sum min( m+n−|λ| 2 +
m+n−(m−n)
1, 2 + 1) ways if m + n − |λ| is even and 0 ways otherwise.
Hence we have the decomposition V (m) ⊗ V (n) ∼ = V (m − n) ⊕ V (m − n + 2) ⊕ · · · ⊕
V (m + n).

Exercise 7.7. In this exercise we construct certain infinite dimensional L−modules. Let
λ ∈ F be an arbitrary scalar. Let Z(λ) be a vector space over F with countably infinite
basis (v0 , v1 , v2 , · · · ).
1. Prove that formulas (a)-(c) of Lemma 7.2 define an L−module structure on Z(λ),
and that every nonzero L−submodule of Z(λ) contains at least one maximal vector.

2. Suppose λ + 1 = i is a nonnegative integer. Prove that vi is a maximal vector (e.g.,

ϕ
λ = −1, i = 0). This induces an L−module homomorphism Z(µ) −→ Z(λ), µ =
λ − 2i, sending v0 to vi . Show that ϕ is a monomorphism, and that im ϕ, Z(λ)/ im ϕ
are both irreducible L−modules (but Z(λ) fails to be completely reducible when i > 0).

25
 3. Suppose λ + 1 is not a nonnegative integer. Prove that Z(λ) is irreducible.
Solution. 1. We need to verify that [xy] = h, [hx] = 2x, [hy] = −2y as linear transfor-
mations on Z(λ).
It suffices to check these on the basis (v0 , v1 , v2 , · · · ). Given vi , we have

[xy].vi = (i + 1)x.vi+1 − (λ − i + 1)y.vi−1

= (i + 1)(λ − i)vi − (λ − i + 1)ivi
= (λ − 2i)vi = h.vi ;
[hx].vi = (λ − i + 1)h.vi−1 − (λ − 2i)x.vi
= (λ − i + 1)(λ − 2i + 2)vi−1 − (λ − 2i)(λ − i + 1)vi−1
= 2(λ − i + 1)vi−1 = 2x.vi ;
[hy].vi = (i + 1)h.vi+1 − (λ − 2i)y.vi
= (i + 1)(λ − 2i − 2)vi+1 − (λ − 2i)(i + 1)vi+1
= −2(i + 1)vi+1 = −2y.vi ;

So Z(λ) is an L−module.
Let U be an arbitrary nonzero L−submodule
∑ of Z(λ). For any nonzero v ∈ U write
v as a linear combination of basis: v = ai vi , where all ai ̸= 0. We have
i∈I
∑
h.v = ai (λ − 2i)vi ∈ U
i∈I

This implies all vi ∈ U . So

U = span{vj , j ∈ J}

Let k = min J, then vk ∈ U , and vk−1 ̸∈ U , so x.vk = (λ − k + 1)vk−1 = 0. We

conclude that vk is a maximal vector in U .
2. x.vi = (λ − i + 1)vi−1 = 0, hence vi is a maximal vector.
To see ϕ is a monomorphism, it suffices to show it is injective on basis. In deed,
( )
k+i
ϕ(vk ) = vk+i
i

We prove this by induction on k

(k−1+i)
When k = 0, ϕ(v0 ) = vi . If we already have ϕ(vk−1 ) = i vk−1+i , then
1 1
ϕ(vk ) = ϕ( y.vk−1 ) = y.ϕ(vk−1 )
(k )k ( )
1 k−1+i k+i k−1+i
= y.vk−1+i = vk+i
k i k i
( )
k+i
= vk+i
i

im ϕ ∼== Z(µ) is a submodule of Z(λ) and by (1) it has a maximal vector of form
vs . But
x.vs = (µ − s + 1) = −(i + s)vs−1 = 0

26
 From i + s > 0, we have vs−1 = 0. So v0 is the unique maximal vector in Z(µ) and
Z(µ) is irreducible. Z(λ)/ im ϕ ∼
= V (i − 1) is a irreducible module.
Next we show Z(λ) is not completely reducible. If Z(λ) is completely reducible,
then we have an L−module decomposition Z(λ) = im ϕ ⊕ V . Then there exists a
w ∈ im ϕ such that v0 + w ∈ V . But

y i .(v0 + w) = vi + y i .w ∈ im ϕ

which contradicts with the fact that V is an L−module.

3. If Z(λ) reducible, it has a proper nonzero submodule U . By (1) U has a maximal

vector vk with k > 0.
x.vk = (λ − k + 1)vk−1 = 0

Hence λ + 1 = k is a positive integer. We get a contradiction.

8 Root space decomposition

Exercise 8.1. If L is a classical linear Lie algebra of type Al , Bl , Cl or Dl , prove that
the set of all diagonal matrices in L is a maximal toral subalgebra, of dimension l (Cf.
Exercise 2.8.)

Solution. Since a toral subalgebra is abelian, any toral subalgebra containing the set of
diagonal matrices in L must contain only diagonal matrices because commuting semisimple
matrices are simultaneously diagonalizable. Its dimension can be immediately verified in
the four cases to be l.

Exercise 8.2. For each algebra in Exercise 8.1, determine the roots and root spaces. How
are the various hα expressed in terms of the basis for H given in section 1?

Exercise 8.3. If L is of classical type, compute explicitly the restriction of the Killing
form to the maximal toral subalgebra described in Exercise 8.1.

Exercise 8.4. If L = sl(2, F ), prove that each maximal toral subalgebra is one dimen-
sional.
∑
Solution. h is a maximal toral subalgebra of L, L = h ⊕ Lα , dim Lα = 1.α ∈ Φ then
α∈Φ
−α ∈ Φ. This implies Card(Φ) is even and nonzero. So dim h = 1.

Exercise 8.5. If L is semisimple, H a maximal toral subalgebra, prove that H is self-

normalizing (i.e., H = NL (H)).
∑ ∑
Solution. L = H ⊕ Lα . For x ∈ NL (H), x = h0 + xα , xα ∈ Lα . Choose h ∈ H
α∈Φ α∈Φ
such that α(h) ̸= 0, ∀α ∈ Φ, then
∑
[h, x] = α(h)xα ∈ H
α∈Φ

Hence xα = 0, ∀α ∈ Φ. x = h0 ∈ H. i.e, NL (H) = H.

27
Exercise 8.6. Compute the basis of sl(n, F ) which is dual (via the Killing form) to the
standard basis. (Cf. Exercise 5.5.)

Solution. The dual of eij (i ̸= j) via the Killing form is eji , the dual of hi via the Killing
form is eii − n1 In

Exercise 8.7. Let L be semisimple, H a maximal toral subalgebra. If h ∈ H, prove that

CL (h) is reductive (in the sense of Exercise 6.5). Prove that H contains elements h for
which CL (h) = H; for which h in sl(n, F ) is this true ?
∑
Solution. L is semisimple. We have a decomposition L = H ⊕ Lα
α∈Φ
∑
x = h0 + xα ∈ CL (h)
α∈Φ
∑
⇐⇒ [h, x] = α(h)xα = 0
α∈Φ
⇐⇒ α(h) = 0 or xα = 0

Hence ∑
CL (h) = H ⊕ Lα
α∈Φ
α(h)=0

Denote Φh = {α ∈ Φ | α(h) = 0}. Now we claim that

Z(CL (h)) = {h′ ∈ H | α(h′ ) = 0, ∀α ∈ Φh }

∑
Let x = h0 + xα ∈ Z(CL (h)). We can find a h′ ∈ H such that α(h′ ) ̸= 0, ∀α ∈ Φh .
∑
α∈Φh
Then [h′ , x] = α(h′ )xα = 0. It implies xα = 0. We have x = h0 ∈ H. Next we take
α∈Φh
0 ̸= xα ∈ Lα , ∀α ∈ Φh , then [x, xα ] = α(h0 )xα = 0. Hence α(x) = α(h0 ) = 0, ∀α ∈ Φh .
Next we show Z(CL (h)) = Rad(CL (h)). Clearly Z(CL (h)) is a solvable ideal of CL (h),
it is enough to show
∑ it is a maximal solvable ideal.
If x = h0 + xα ∈ Rad(CL (h)) \ Z(CL (h)). We have a h′ ∈ H such that α(h′ ) ̸= 0
α∈Φh ∑
and α(h′ ) ̸= β(h′ ), ∀α ̸= β ∈ Φh . Then [h′ , x] = α(h′ )xα ∈ Rad(CL (h)). Hence
α∈Φh
h0 , xα ∈ Rad(CL (h)), α ∈ Φh . If there is a α ∈ Φh such that xα ̸= 0, then hα = [xα , yα ] ∈
Rad(CL (h)), 2yα = −[hα , yα ] ∈ Rad(CL (h)). Hence sl(2, F ) ∼ = Sα ⊂ Rad(CL (h)) which
contradict with the solvability of Rad(CL (h)).
Now we get x = h0 ∈ Rad(CL (h))\Z(CL (h)). So there is a α ∈ Φh such that α(h0 ) ̸= 0.
Then [x, xα ] = α(h0 )xα ∈ Rad(CL (h)), [x, yα ] = −α(h0 )yα ∈ Rad(CL (h)). We also have
Sα ⊂ Rad(CL (h)) which contradict with the solvability of Rad(CL (h)).
All of the above show that Z(CL (h)) = Rad(CL (h)). i.e., CL (h) is reductive. We know
there is a h ∈ H, α(h) ̸= 0, ∀α ∈ Φ. In this case,
∑ CL (h) = H.
In sl(n, F ), for eij (i ̸= j) ∈ Lα and h = ak hk ∈ H, we have


(4ai − ai+1 − ai−1 )ei,i+1 j =i+1
[h, eij ] = α(h)eij = (aj+1 + aj−1 − 4aj )ej+1,j i=j+1


(ai − aj − ai−1 + aj−1 )eij |i − j| > 1

28
 Then these h for which CL (h) = H is these satisfying
{
4ai − ai+1 − ai−1 ̸= 0 1⩽i⩽n
ai − aj − ai−1 + aj−1 ̸= 0 |i − j| > 1

Exercise 8.8. For sl(n, F ) (and other classical algebras), calculate explicitly the root
strings and Cartan integers. In particular, prove that all Cartan integers 2 (α,β)
(β,β) , α ̸= ±β,
for sl(n, F ) are 0, ±1.

Exercise 8.9. Prove that every three dimensional semisimple Lie algebra has the same
root system as sl(2, F ), hence is isomorphic to sl(2, F ).

Solution. This is a direct consequence of Proposition 8.3(f).

Exercise 8.10. Prove that no four, five or seven dimensional semisimple Lie algebras
exist.

Solution. ∑
Let L is a semisimple Lie algebra with a∑
maximal toral subalgebra H. We have
L=H⊕ Lα . Since α ∈ Φ implies −α ∈ Φ, Lα has dimensional 2k with k > 1.
α∈Φ α∈Φ
Therefore ∑
dim H = dim L − dim( Lα ) = dim L − 2k
α∈Φ

In the other hands, Φ = {±α1 , · · · , ±αk } span H ∗ , then

dim H = dim H ∗ ⩽ k

We conclude
dim L dim L
⩽k<
3 2
If dim L = 4, we can not find a integer k satisfying it.
If dim L = 5, k = 2. Then dim H = 1, i.e, Φ spans a 1−dimensional space. α2 = mα1
with m = ±1. We get a contradiction.
If dim L = 7, k = 3. Then dim H = 1. We can deduce a contradiction as the case
dim L = 5. Hence, there is no four, five or seven dimensional semisimple Lie algebra.

Exercise 8.11. If (α, β) > 0, and α ̸= ±β, prove that α − β ∈ Φ(α, β ∈ Φ). Is the
converse true?

Solution. We have β − 2(α,β)

(β,β) α ∈ Φ since α, β ∈ Φ.
Let the β string through α is α−rβ, · · · , α, · · · , α+qβ. We have r > 0 since (α, β) > 0.
Hence α − β appeals in the string. It is a root.

29
Chapter III
Root System
9 Axiomatics
Unless otherwise specified, Φ denotes a root system in E, with Weyl group W.

Exercise 9.1. Let E ′ be a subspace of E. If a reflection σα leaves E ′ invariant, prove

that either α ∈ E ′ or else E ′ ⊂ Pα .

Solution. Suppose E ′ ̸⊂ Pα . Let λ ∈ E ′ \ Pα , then σα (λ) = λ− < λ, α > α ∈ E ′ . Since

λ ̸∈ Pα , < λ, α ≯= 0. Hence α ∈ E ′ .

Exercise 9.2. Prove that Φ∨ is a root system in E, whose Weyl group is naturally iso-
morphic to W; show also that < α∨ , β ∨ >=< β, α >, and draw a picture of Φ∨ in the
cases A1 , A2 , B2 , G2 .

Solution. By definition, Φ∨ consists of α∨ = 2α/(α, α) for α ∈ Φ. If Φ is finite, spans

E, and does not contain 0, it is obvious that Φ∨ also satisfies these conditions. Since
(cα)∨ = c(α)∨ for c ∈ R, it follows that the only multiples of α∨ in Φ∨ are ±α∨ . Also, for
α, β ∈ Φ,
2(β ∨ , α∨ ) ∨ 2β 4(β, α)
σα∨ β ∨ = β ∨ − ∨ ∨
α = − α
(α , α ) (β, β) (β, β)(α, α)
and
( ) (β,α)
2β − 4 (α,α)
∨ 2(β, α) ∨ α 2β 4(β, α)
(σα (β)) = β − α = (β,α) 2 (β,α)2 = − α
(α, α) (β, β) − 4 (α,α) + 44 (α,α) (β, β) (β, β)(α, α)

so σα∨ β ∨ = (σα (β))∨ , and hence Φ∨ is invariant under σα∨ . Finally,

2(α∨ , β ∨ ) 2(α, β)
< α∨ , β ∨ >= ∨ ∨
= =< β, α >∈ Z
(β , β ) (α, α)

so all of the axioms for a root system are satisfied for Φ∨ .

Finally, by the above calculations, the bijection α 7→ α∨ induces an isomorphism
σα 7→ σα∨ (thinking of the Weyl groups as subgroups of the symmetric group on Φ and
Φ∨ ).

Exercise 9.3. In Table 1, show that the order of σα σβ in W is (respectively) 2, 3, 4, 6

when θ = π/2, π/3 (or 2π/3), π/4 (or 3π/4), π/6 (or 5π/6). [Note that σα σβ = rotation
through 2θ.]

Exercise 9.4. Prove that the respective Weyl groups of A1 × A1 , A2 , B2 , G2 are dihedral
of order 4, 6, 8, 12. If Φ is any root system of rank 2, prove that its Weyl group must be
one of these.

Solution. σα and σα σβ generate the Weyl group, then the conclusions follow from Exer-
cise 9.3.

30
Solution. There are only two reflections for the Weyl group of A1 ×A1 , and they commute
with each other, so its Weyl group is isomorphic to Z/2 × Z/2, which is the dihedral group
of order 4.
Picking alternating chambers of A2 , draw a regular triangle. The reflections of A2 are
symmetries of this triangle, so its Weyl group is S3 , the dihedral group of order 6.
Drawing a square with vertices on the diagonal vectors of B2 , we see that all reflections
preserve this square, and since the symmetries of the square are generated by reflections,
the Weyl group of B2 is D4 , the dihedral group of order 8.
Finally, the reflections of G2 preserve a regular hexagon whose vertices are on the short
vectors. So the Weyl group of G2 is a subgroup of D6 , but since the reflections generate
it, we get the whole group.
The fact that the Weyl group of every rank 2 root system must be dihedral of order
4, 6, 8 or 12 follows from the possibilities allowed in Table 1.

Exercise 9.5. Show by example that α−β may be a root even when (α, β) ⩽ 0 (cf. Lemma
9.4).

Solution. This can be seen in the root system G2 . Using the labels in Figure 9.1, we
have that α and α + β form an obtuse angle, i.e., (α, α + β) ⩽ 0, but that β is a root.

Exercise 9.6. Prove that W is a normal subgroup of Aut Φ (= group of all isomorphisms
of Φ onto itself ).

Solution. Any element of W can be written σα1 · · · σαr for αi ∈ Φ. Then for τ ∈ Aut Φ,
we have

τ (σα1 · · · σαr )τ −1 = (τ σα1 τ −1 ) · · · (τ σαr τ −1 ) = στ (α1 ) · · · στ (αr ) ∈ W;

where the last equality is Lemma 9.2.

Exercise 9.7. Let α, β ∈ Φ span a subspace E ′ of E. Prove that E ′ ∩ Φ is a root system

in E ′ . Prove similarly that Φ ∩ (Zα + Zβ) is a root system in E ′ (must this coincide with
E ′ ∩ Φ ?). More generally, let Φ′ be a nonempty subset of Φ such that Φ′ = −Φ′ , and
such that α, β ∈ Φ′ , α + β ∈ Φ implies α + β ∈ Φ′ . Prove that Φ′ is a root system in the
subspace of E it spans. [Use Table 1].

Exercise 9.8. Compute root strings in G2 to verify the relation r − q =< β, α >.

Exercise 9.9. Let Φ be a set of vectors in a euclidean space E, satisfying only (R1), (R3),
(R4). Prove that the only possible multiples of α ∈ Φ which can be in Φ are ± 21 α, ±α, ±2α.
Verify that {α ∈ Φ | 2α ∈
/ Φ} is a root system.

Exercise 9.10. Let α, β ∈ Φ. Let the α−string through β be β − rα, · · · , β + qα, and let
q ′ (r′ +1)
the β−string through α be α − r′ β, · · · α + q ′ β. Prove that q(r+1)
(β,β) = (α,α) .

Exercise 9.11. Let c be a positive real number. If Φ possesses any roots of squared length
c, prove that the set of all such roots is a root system in the subspace of E it spans. Describe
the possibilities occurring in Figure 1.

31
10 Simple roots and Weyl group
Exercise 10.1. Let Φ∨ be the dual system of Φ, ∆∨ = {α∨ | α ∈ ∆}. Prove that ∆∨ is a
base of Φ∨ .[Compare Weyl chambers of Φ and Φ∨ .]

Exercise 10.2. If ∆ is a base of Φ, prove that the set (Zα + Zβ) ∩ Φ(α ̸= β ∈ ∆) is a
root system of rank 2 in the subspace of E spanned by α, β (cf. Exercise 9.7). Generalize
to an arbitrary subset of ∆.

Exercise 10.3. Prove that each root system of rank 2 is isomorphic to one of those listed
in (9.3).

Exercise 10.4. Verify the Corollary of Lemma 10.2A directly for G2 .

Solution. a + b + b + b + a, a + b + b + b, a + b + b, a + b, a, b.

Exercise 10.5. If σ ∈ W can be written as a product of t simple reflections, prove that t

has the same parity as l(σ).

Solution. It is enough to prove that if the identity is written as t simple reflections, then
t is even. To see this, first note that the number of negative roots in the set σ1 · · · σt (∆)
has the same parity of t. This follows by induction since each σi = σαi fixes the sign of αj
if αj ̸= αi , and changes the sign of αi . So if 1 = σ1 · · · σt , then t is even because ∆ has no
negative roots.

Exercise 10.6. Define a function sn : W → {±1} by sn(σ) = (−1)l(σ) . Prove that sn is

a homomorphism (cf. the case A2 , where W is isomorphic to the symmetric group S3 ).

Solution. This is immediate from Exercise 10.5: given σ, τ ∈ W, we have that l(στ ) =
l(σ) + l(τ )(mod 2).

Exercise 10.7. Prove that the intersection of “positive” open half-spaces associated with
any basis γ1 , · · · , γl of E is nonvoid. [If δi is the projection of γi on the orthogonal
∑
complement of the subspace spanned by all basis vectors except γi , consider γ = r i δi
when all ri > 0.]
∑
Solution. (γ, δj ) = ri (δi , δj ) = (γj , δj ) > 0.

Exercise 10.8. Let ∆ be a base of Φ, α ̸= β simple roots, Φαβ the rank 2 root system
in Eαβ = Rα + Rβ (see Exercise 10.2 above). The Weyl group Wαβ of Φαβ is generated
by the restrictions τα , τβ to Eαβ of σα , σβ , and Wαβ may be viewed as a subgroup of W.
Prove that the “length” of an element of Wαβ (relative to τα , τβ ) coincides with the length
of the corresponding element of W.

Exercise 10.9. Prove that there is a unique element σ in W sending Φ+ to Φ− (relative

to ∆). Prove that any reduced expression for σ must involve all σα (α ∈ ∆). Discuss l(σ).

Solution. Note that −∆ = {−α | α ∈ ∆} is also a base for Φ, so since W acts transitively
on bases of Φ (Theorem 10.3), there is a σ ∈ W such that σ(∆) = −∆. Then σ necessarily
takes positive roots of Φ to negative roots of Φ (relative to ∆). If τ ∈ W also has this
property, then στ takes a positive base to another positive base. By definition, two bases
can be positive with respect to ∆ only if they are equal, so since W acts simply transitively

32
on bases, στ = 1, so τ = σ because σ has order 2 (for the same reason just discussed).
Hence σ is unique.
Let σ = σα1 · · · σαt be a reduced expression for σ(αi ∈ ∆). Suppose β ∈ ∆ is not in
this expression. Since σα (β) = β− < β, α > α, it is clear that σαs · · · σαt cannot take β
to another simple root. Since each σαi permutes Φ+ \ {αi } (Lemma 10.2B), σ(β) ∈ / Φ− ,
which is a contradiction. Hence a reduced expression for σ must involve all σα (α ∈ ∆).
Since σ(Φ+ ) = Φ− , l(σ) = n(σ) = #(Φ+ ) = #(Φ)/2.
∑
l
Exercise 10.10. Given ∆ = {α1 , · · · , αl } in Φ, let λ = ki αi (ki ∈ Z, all ki ⩾ 0 or all
i=1
ki ⩽ 0). Prove that either λ is a multiple (possibly 0) of a root, or else there exists σ ∈ W
∑l
such that σλ = ki′ αi , with some ki′ > 0 and some ki′ < 0.
i=1

Solution. If λ is∪not a multiple of any∪root, then the hyperplane Pλ orthogonal to λ is

not included in Pα . Take µ ∈ Pλ − Pα . Then find σ ∈ W for which all (α, σµ) > 0.
α∈Φ α∈Φ
∑l
It follows that 0 = (λ, µ) = (σλ, σµ) = ki (αi , σµ).
i=1

Exercise 10.11. Let Φ be irreducible. Prove that Φ∨ is also irreducible. If Φ has all roots
of equal length, so does Φ∨ (and then Φ∨ is isomorphic to Φ). On the other hand, if Φ
has two root lengths, then so does Φ∨ ; but if α is long, then α∨ is short (and vice versa).
Use this fact to prove that Φ has a unique maximal short root (relative to the partial order
≺ defined by ∆).
Solution. Since (∨ Φ∨ ) = Φ, to prove that Φ irreducible implies Φ∨ irreducible, it is
enough to prove that if Φ is reducible, then so is Φ∨ . But this is obvious because (α∨ , β ∨ ) =
0 if and only if (α, β) = 0.
Also, if all roots of Φ have the same length, then (α, α) is a constant C for α ∈ Φ, so
β = C2 β for all β ∈ Φ, which means all root lengths are the same in Φ∨ . Multiplication
∨

by this nonzero scalar gives an isomorphism between Φ and Φ∨ .

If instead Φ has 2 root lengths, then so does Φ∨ . This must hold because if Φ∨ had one
root length, then so would (∨ Φ∨ ) = Φ. Since the length of β ∨ gets shorter the longer β
is, it is clear that short roots of Φ correspond to long roots of Φ∨ , and vice versa. Finally,
a maximal root of Φ∨ is long (Lemma 10.4D), so corresponds to a maximal short root of
Φ (heights are preserved in passing to duals).

Exercise 10.12. Let λ ∈ C(∆). If σλ = λ for some σ ∈ W, then σ = 1.

Solution. Note that W sends chambers of Φ to other chambers, so if σλ = λ, then σ fixes
a chamber of Φ. Then the exercise is a consequence of Theorem 10.3(e) and the fact that
the set of chambers of Φ and the set of bases of Φ are isomorphic as W−sets (10.1).

Exercise 10.13. The only reflections in W are those of the form σα (α ∈ Φ). [A vector
in the reflecting hyperplane would, if orthogonal to no root, be fixed only by the identity in
W.]
Solution. Let τ ∈ W be some reflection. If the reflecting hyperplane of τ is not orthogonal
to a root of Φ, then let γ be a vector in this hyperplane. Then γ is contained in C(∆)
for some base ∆. By Exercise 10.12, the only element of W fixing γ is the identity, so
τ = 1.

33
Exercise 10.14. Prove that each point of E is W−conjugate to a point in the closure of
the fundamental Weyl chamber relative to a base ∆. [Enlarge the partial order on E by
defining µ ≺ λ iff λ − µ is a nonnegative R−linear combination of simple roots. If µ ∈ E,
choose σ ∈ W for which λ = σµ is maximal in this partial order.]

Solution. This is similar to the proof of Theorem 10.3(a). Here we replace a regular
element γ with any point of E. The difference is that (σ(γ), α) may be 0 for some α. This
will imply only that (σ(γ), α) ⩾ 0 for all α ∈ ∆, which is to say that σ(γ) ∈ C(∆).

11 Classification
Exercise 11.1. Verify the Cartan matrices (Table 1).

Exercise 11.2. Calculate the determinants of the Cartan matrices (using induction on l
for types Al − Dl ), which are as follows:

Al : l + 1; Bl : 2; Cl : 2; Dl : 4; E6 : 3; E7 : 2; E8 , F4 , G2 : 1

Solution. By expanding along the first row, we get that det Al = 2 det Al−1 − det Al−2
(the second matrix needs to again be expanded along the first column). Similar relations
hold for Bl , Cl and Dl .
By inspection, det A1 = 2 and det A2 = 3, so by induction, det Al = l + 1.
Also, det B1 = det B2 = 2, and det C1 = det C2 = 2, so det Bl = 2, det Cl = 2.
Furthermore D2 = A1 × A1 and D3 = A3 , so det D2 = det D3 = 4, which gives
det Dl = 4.
The determinants of E6 , E7 , E8 , F4 and G2 can all be done via row reduction.

Exercise 11.3. Use the algorithm of (11.1) to write down all roots for G2 . Do the same
for C3 :  
2 −1 0
−1 2 −1
0 −2 2

Solution. Using the algorithm of (11.1), we start with simple roots for G2 , a short root
α, and a long root β. We know that < α, β >= −1 and < β, α >= −3. This means that
we have a root string
{β, β + α, β + 2α, β + 3α}
Also, if 2β + kα is to be a root, we need r − q =< β + kα, β >= 2 − k to be negative, i.e.,
k ⩾ 3. This means 2β + 3α is also a root, and we have listed all positive roots of G2 (cf.
p. 44).
In the case of C3 , we have 3 simple roots, α and β (which are short), and γ (which is
long). We immediately see that {α + β, γ + β, γ + 2β} are roots. Since < α + β, γ >= −1,
we also get that α + β + γ is a root. Also, < γ + 2β, α >= −2, so γ + 2β + α and
γ + 2β + 2α are also roots. All other combinations of roots result in nonnegative brackets
<, >, so these are all of the positive roots of C3 . To summarize, the positive roots are:

{α, β, γ, α + β, β + γ, 2β + γ, α + β + γ, α + 2β + γ, 2α + 2β + γ}

34
Exercise 11.4. Prove that the Weyl group of a root system Φ is isomorphic to the direct
product of the respective Weyl groups of its irreducible components.

Solution. By induction on the number of components, we need only show this in the case
that Φ is partitioned into two orthogonal components Φ1 and Φ2 . Let W1 and W2 be their
respective Weyl groups, and let W be the Weyl group of Φ.
Then W1 and W2 are commuting subgroups of W because of the orthogonality condi-
tion. Since W is generated by reflections in both W1 and W2 , and W1 ∩ W2 = 1, we see
that W = W1 × W2.

Exercise 11.5. Prove that each irreducible root system is isomorphic to its dual, except
that Bl , Cl are dual to each other.

Solution. Since < β ∨ , α∨ >=< α, β > Exercise 9.2, the Cartan matrix of Φ∨ is the
transpose of the Cartan matrix of Φ. In terms of Dynkin diagrams, this corresponds
to reversing the directions of the arrows. In the case of Al , Dl , E6 , E7 and E8 , nothing
happens, so they are self-dual. In the cases of F4 and G2 , one can find an isomorphism to
their duals by reordering the simple roots. Finally, Bl and Cl become one another under
this correspondence, so they are dual to one another.

Exercise 11.6. Prove that an inclusion of one Dynkin diagram in another (e.g., E6 in
E7 or E7 in E8 ) induces an inclusion of the corresponding root systems.

Solution. An inclusion of Dynkin diagrams D1 ,→ D2 corresponds to the Cartan matrix

of D1 being a submatrix of the Cartan matrix of D2 .

12 Construction of root systems and automorphisms

Definition 12.1. Let Γ = {σ ∈ Aut Φ | σ(∆) = ∆}, then Aut Φ = W ⋊ Γ. This Γ is
usually viewed as the group of diagram automorphisms or graph automorphisms.

Example 12.1 (Al (l ⩾ 1)). E = span{ε1 + · · · + εl+1 }⊥ ⊂ Rl+1 , I ′ = I ∩ E.

Φ = {α ∈ I ′ | (α, α) = 2} = {εi − εj , i ̸= j}, ∆ = {αi = εi − εi+1 , 1 ⩽ i ⩽ l}.
Weyl group: W ∼ = Sl+1 by σαi 7→ (i, i + 1). Γ ∼ = Z/2 when l ⩾ 2.

Example 12.2 (Bl (l ⩾ 2)). E = Rl . Φ = {α ∈ I | (α, α) = 1, 2} = {±εi , ±(εi ±εj ), i ̸= j},

∆ = {ε1 − ε2 , · · · , εl−1 − εl , εl }.
Weyl group: W ∼ = (Z/2)l ⋊ Sl by corresponding σεi to sign changes. Γ = 1.

Example 12.3 (Cl (l ⩾ 3)). E = Rl . Cl is dual to Bl , hence

Φ = {±2εi , ±(εi ± εj ), i ̸= j},
∆ = {ε1 − ε2 , · · · , εl−1 − εl , 2εl }.
Weyl group: W ∼ = (Z/2)l ⋊ Sl same as Bl . Γ = 1.

Example 12.4 (Dl (l ⩾ 4)). E = Rl . Φ = {α ∈ I | (α, α) = 2} = {±(εi ± εj ), i ̸= j},

∆ = {ε1 − ε2 , · · · , εl−1 − εl , εl−1 + εl }.
Weyl group: W ∼ = (Z/2)l−1 ⋊Sl where σεi +εj σεi −εj is corresponding to the sign change
of i, j position.
Γ = S3 when l = 4, and Z/2 when l > 4.

35
Example 12.5 (E6 .E7 , E8 ). It suffices to construct E8 .
8 ′ ′′ ′
∑ E = Rc , I = I + Z((ε1 + · · · + ε∑ 8 )/2), I = subgroup of I consisting of all elements
ci εi + 2 (ε1 + · · · + ε8 ) for which ci is an even integer. ∑
Φ = {α ∈ I ′′ | (α, α) = 2} = {±(εi ± εj ), i ̸= j} ∪ { 12 (−1)ki εi } (where the ki = 0, 1,
add up to an even integer).
∆ = { 21 (ε1 + ε8 − (ε2 + · · · + ε7 )), ε1 + ε2 , ε2 − ε1 , ε3 − ε2 , ε4 − ε3 , ε5 − ε4 , ε6 − ε5 , ε7 − ε6 }.
Weyl group has order 214 35 52 7 = 696729600.

Example 12.6 (F4 ). E = R4 , I ′ = I + Z((ε1 + ε2 + ε3 + ε4 )/2).

Φ = {α ∈ I ′ | (α, α) = 1, 2} = {±εi , ±(εi ± εj ), i ̸= j} ∪ {± 21 (ε1 ± ε2 ± ε3 ± ε4 )}.
∆ = {ε2 − ε3 , ε3 − ε4 , ε4 , 12 (ε1 − ε2 − ε3 − ε4 )}.
Weyl group has order 1152.

Example 12.7 (G2 ). E = span{ε1 + ε2 + ε3 }⊥ ⊂ R3 , I ′ = I ∩ E.

Φ = {α ∈ I ′ | (α, α) = 2, 6} = ±{ε1 − ε2 , ε2 − ε3 , ε1 − ε3 , 2ε1 − ε2 − ε3 , 2ε2 − ε1 −
ε3 , 2ε3 − ε1 − ε2 }.
∆ = {ε1 − ε2 , −2ε1 + ε2 + ε3 }.
Weyl group: W ∼ = D6 .

Exercise 12.1. Verify the details of the constructions in (12.1).

Exercise 12.2. Verify Table 2.

Type Long Short

Al α1 + α2 + · · · + αl
Bl α1 + 2α2 + 2α3 + · · · + 2αl α1 + α2 + · · · + αl
Cl 2α1 + 2α2 + · · · + 2αl−1 + αl α1 + 2α2 + · · · + 2αl−1 + αl
Dl α1 + 2α2 + · · · + 2αl−2 + αl−1 + αl
E6 α1 + 2α2 + 2α3 + 3α4 + 2α5 + α6
E7 2α1 + 2α2 + 3α3 + 4α4 + 3α5 + 2α6 + α7
E8 2α1 + 3α2 + 4α3 + 6α4 + 5α5 + 4α6 + 3α7 + 2α8
F4 2α1 + 3α2 + 4α3 + 2α4 α1 + 2α2 + 3α3 + 2α4
G2 3α1 + 2α2 2α1 + α2

Exercise 12.3. Let Φ ⊂ E satisfy (R1), (R3), (R4), but not (R2), cf. Exercise 9.9.
Suppose moreover that Φ is irreducible, in the sense of Section 11. Prove that Φ is the
union of root systems of type Bn , Cn in E (n = dim E), where the long roots of Bn are
also the short roots of Cn . (This is called the non-reduced root system of type BCn in the
literature.)

Exercise 12.4. Prove that the long roots in G2 form a root system in E of type A2 .

Solution. Let α be a short simple root of G2 , and let β be a long simple root. The long
positive roots of G2 are {β, 3α + β, 3α + 2β} Exercise 11.3. It is clear from this description
that the long roots form a root system, and that {β, −3α − 2β} forms a base. Using the
Cartan matrix for G2 , one deduces that the Cartan matrix for this base is the same as
that of A2 .

Exercise 12.5. In constructing Cl , would it be correct to characterize Φ as the set of all

vectors in I of squared length 2 or 4? Explain.

36
Solution. No, this would give vectors such as ±4εi . But ignoring that problem, one
would also have vectors like 2ε1 + ε2 + ε3 . The resulting set of vectors would be much
larger than Φ.

Exercise 12.6. Prove that the map α 7→ −α is an automorphism of Φ. Try to decide for
which irreducible Φ this belongs to the Weyl group.

Solution. It is immediate that α 7→ −α is an automorphism of Φ since

2(−α, −β) 2(α, β)

< −α, −β >= = =< α, β > .
(−β, −β) (β, β)

Since Aut Φ is a semidirect product of W and the subgroup Γ, it is immediate that

α 7→ −α is an element of W for Bl , Cl , E7 , E8 , F4 and G2 by Table 12.1.
For Al , α 7→ −α is not an element of W if l > 1. To see this, we use the description of
Al as the set of vectors {εi −εj , i ̸= j} in Rl+1 . Then the reflections σαi where αi = εi −εi+1
permutes the vectors εi and εi+1 and leaves the other standard vectors fixed. From this, it
is clear that, for example, one cannot send (ε1 −ε2 , ε1 −ε3 ) to (ε2 −ε1 , ε3 −ε1 ) because this
would require a permutation which swapped 1 with 2 and swapped 1 with 3. Of course it
is clear that A1 has α 7→ −α as an element of its Weyl group.
Similarly, Dl for l ⩾ 4 does not have α 7→ −α in its Weyl group for l odd, but does for
l even. It can be described as the set of vectors {±εi ± εj i ̸= j} in Rl , and its Weyl group
consists of permutations of the εi along the sign changes that involve an even number of
sign changes.
Not sure about E6 .

Exercise 12.7. Describe Aut Φ when Φ is not irreducible

Solution. Write Φ = Φ1 ∪· · ·∪Φr (disjoint) where the Φi are irreducible root systems and
(Φi , Φj ) = 0. Any automorphism σ of Φ must satisfy σ(Φi ) ⊂ Φj because irreducibility is
an invariant of isomorphism of root systems, i.e., if σ(Φi ) were contained in two or more
components of Φ, then we could write it as a disjoint union of pairwise orthogonal sets.
Since Φ is finite, it follows from a counting argument that σ(Φi ) = Φj . Let S be the
subgroup of permutations σ of {1, · · · .r} such that Φi is isomorphic to Φσ(i) . Then Aut Φ
is the semidirect product of S with Aut Φ1 × · · · × Aut Φr .

13 Abstract theory of weights

Example 13.1 (sl(3, F )). h1 = e11 − e22 , h2 = e22 − e33 , e12 , e13 , e23 , e21 , e31 , e32 .

ad h1 = diag(0, 0, 2, 1, −1, −2, −1, 1), ad h2 = diag(0, 0, −1, 1, 2, 1, −1, −2)

α1 = (2, −1), α1 + α2 = (1, 1), α2 = (−1, 2)

( )
2 −1
The Cartan matrix is .
−1 2

α1 = 2λ1 − λ2 , α2 = −λ1 + 2λ2 ;

1 1
λ1 = (2α1 + α2 ), λ2 = (α1 + 2α2 )
3 3

37
 ord(λ1 ) = ord(λ2 ) = 3, the fundamental group is Cycle(3).
1
δ = (α1 + α2 + α1 + α2 ) = (1, 1) = λ1 + λ2
2
The standard set with highest weight must be like the follow:

Π = {m, m − 2, , · · · , −m}

with highest weight m.

Exercise 13.1. Let Φ = Φ1 ∪ · · · ∪ Φt be the decomposition of Φ into its irreducible
components, with ∆ = ∆1 ∪· · ·∪∆t . Prove that Λ decomposes into a direct sum Λ1 ⊕· · ·⊕Λt ;
what about Λ+ ?
Solution. Given any element λ ∈ Λ, let λi be defined by < λi , α >=< λ, α > if α ∈ Φi
and 0 otherwise. In other words, let λi be the orthgonal projection of λ onto the subspace
spanned by Φi . Then λ = λ1 + · · · + λt , so Λ = Λ1 + · · · + Λt . It is clear that Λi ∩ Λj = 0if
i ̸= j, so the sum is direct.
However, we cannot say the same thing about Λ+ . For example, consider the root
system A1 × A1 with base {(1, 0), (0, 1)}. Write A1 × A1 = Φ1 ∪ Φ2 where Φ1 = {(±1, 0)}
and Φ2 = {(0, ±1)}. Then (2, −1) ∈ Λ+ , but (0, −1) ∈ / Λ+ +
2 , so we do not have Λ generated
+ +
by Λ1 and Λ2 .

Exercise 13.2. Show by example (e.g., for A2 ) that λ ∈

/ Λ+ , α ∈ ∆, λ−α ∈ Λ+ is possible.
Solution. In A2 , λ = 3λ1 − λ2 ∈
/ Λ+ , α = 2λ1 − λ2 ∈ ∆, λ − α = λ1 ∈ Λ+ .

Exercise 13.3. Verify some of the data in Table 1, e.g., for F4 .

Exercise 13.4. Using Table 1, show that the fundamental group of Al is cyclic of order
l + 1, while that of Dl is isomorphic to Z/4 (l odd), or Z/2 × Z/2 (l even). (It is easy to
remember which is which, since A3 = D3 .)
Solution. The first is clear because the element λi listed for Al in Table 1 does not have
order smaller than l + 1. If it did, then j(l−i+1)
l+1 would be an integer for j < l + 1 which
is not true for i = 1, for example. Since the determinant of the Cartan matrix for Al is
l + 1, we conclude that its fundamental group is Z/(l + 1).
The same considerations show that if l is even, then every element λi listed for Dl has
order 2, whereas if l is odd, then λl has order 4. Hence the respective fundamental groups
are Z/2×Z/2 for l even, and Z/4 for l odd since the Cartan matrix for Dl has determinant
4.

Exercise 13.5. If Λ′ is any subgroup of Λ which includes Λr , prove that Λ′ is W−invariant.

Therefore, we obtain a homomorphism ϕ : Aut Φ/W → Aut(Λ/Λr ). Prove that ϕ is in-
jective, then deduce that −1 ∈ W if and only if Λr ⊃ 2Λ (cf. Exercise 12.6). Show that
−1 ∈ W for precisely the irreducible root systems A1 , Bl , Cl , Dl (l even), E7 , E8 , F4 , G2 .
Solution.
⨿ σI λj = λj − δij αi , hence σ(λ + Λr ) = λ + Λr . Then Λ′ is W−invariant since
′
Λ = λ + Λr .
λ

ker ϕ = {σ | σ(λ + Λr ) = λ + Λr , ∀λ ∈ Λ} Aut Φ/W = Γ

38
Exercise 13.6. Prove that the roots in Φ which are dominant weights are precisely the
highest long root and (if two root lengths occur) the highest short root (cf. (10.4) and
Exercise 10.11), when Φ is irreducible.

Solution. By Lemma 10.4C, roots of same length are W−conjugate to exactly one dom-
inant weight. By Lemma 13.2A, the dominant weight is maximal among its W−orbit. As
W permutes the roots of same length, the conclusion follows.

Exercise 13.7. If ε1 , · · · , εl is an obtuse basis of the euclidean space E (i.e., all (εi , εj ) ⩽
0 for i ̸= j), prove that the dual basis is acute (i.e., all (ε∗i , ε∗j ) ⩾ 0 for i ̸= j). [Reduce to
the case l = 2.]

Solution. In the case l = 2, this is obvious. Let’s show this by induction on l. Then, for
an euclidean space E with obtuse basis ε1 , · · · , εl+1 . Then let E ′ be the subspace spanned
by ε1 , · · · , εl . Let ε′1 , · · · , ε′l be the dual basis in E ′ which, by the conduction hypothesis,
is acute. Then the dual basis of ε1 , · · · , εl+1 satisfies

ε∗i = ε′i − (ε′i , εl+1 )ε∗l+1 , i = 1, · · · , l.

Therefore (ε∗i , ε∗j ) = (ε′i , ε′j ) ⩾ 0 for 1 ⩽ i, j ⩽ l. On the other hand, since ε′i are linear
combinations of ε1 , · · · , εl with nonnegative coefficients, we conclude that (ε∗i , ε∗l+1 ) ⩾ 0.
Note that this proof actually works for more strict result.

Exercise 13.8. ∑Let Φ be irreducible. Without using the data in Table 1, prove that each λi
is of the form qij αj , where all qij are positive rational numbers. [Deduce from Exercise
j
13.7 that all qij are nonnegative. From (λi , λi ) > 0, show that qii > 0. Then show that if
qij > 0 and (αj , αk ) < 0, then qik > 0.]

Solution. By Lemma 10.1, αi form an obtuse basis. Therefore (λi , λj ) ⩾ 0. Since

∑ ∑ qij
(λi , λj ) = ( qik αk , λj ) = qik (αk , λj ) = (αj , αj ),
2
k k

We have qij ⩾ 0. In particular, since (λi , λi ) > 0, qii > 0. Since Φ is irreducible, the
Coxeter graph is connected. Thus for any αj , there exists some αk such that (αj , αk ) < 0.
Follow a similar reasoning of Exercise 13.7, we see that all (λi , λj ) are positive.

Exercise 13.9. Let λ ∈ Λ+ . Prove that σ(λ + δ) − δ is dominant only for σ = 1.

Solution. Since δ is strongly dominant, we have

δ ≻ σ(δ), δ ≻ σ −1 (δ),

and the equality holds only for σ = 1. Hence (σ(λ + δ) − δ) ≺ (λ + δ − σ −1 (δ)) and the
equality holds only for σ = 1.

Exercise 13.10. If λ ∈ Λ+ , prove that the set Π consisting of all dominant weights µ ≺ λ
and their W−conjugates is saturated, as asserted in (13.4).

Exercise 13.11. Prove that each subset of Λ is contained in a unique smallest saturated
set, which is finite if the subset in question is finite.

39
Exercise 13.12. For the root system of type A2 , write down the effect of each element of
the Weyl group on each of λ1 , λ2 . Using this data, determine which weights belong to the
saturated set having highest weight λ1 + 3λ2 . Do the same for type G2 and highest weight
λ1 + 2λ2 .

Exercise 13.13. Call λ ∈ Λ+ minimal if µ ∈ Λ+ , µ ≺ λ implies that µ = λ. Show that

each coset of Λr in Λ contains precisely one minimal Λ. Prove that λ is minimal if and
only if the W−orbit of λ is saturated (with highest weight λ), if and only if λ ∈ Λ+ and
< λ, α >= 0, 1, −1 for all roots α. Determine (using Table 1) the nonzero minimal λ for
each irreducible Φ, as follows:

Al : λ1 , · · · , λl
Bl : λl
Cl : λ1
Dl : λ1 , λl−1 , λl
E6 : λ1 , λ6
E7 : λ7

40
Chapter IV
Isomorphism and Conjugacy Theorem
14 Isomorphism theorem
Exercise 14.1. Generalize Theorem 14.2 to the case: L semisimple.
Solution. As the simple decompositions of semisimple Lie algebras compatible preserve
maximal toral subalgebras and are compatible with the rreducible decompositions of root
systems, then conclusion follows.
Exercise 14.2. Let L = sl(2, F ). If H, H ′ are any two maximal toral subalgebras of L,
prove that there exists an automorphism of L mapping H onto H ′ .
Solution. Any maximal toral subalgebra of sl(2, F ) has dimension 1. Therefore the cor-
responding root system has rank 1. Since all rank 1 root systems are isomorphic, the
conclusion follows.
Exercise 14.3. Prove that the subspace M of L × L′ introduced in the proof of Theorem
14.2 will actually equal D, if x and x′ are chosen carefully.
Exercise 14.4. Let σ be as in Proposition 14.3. Is it necessarily true that σ(xα ) = −yα
for nonsimple α, where [xα , yα ] = hα ?
Exercise 14.5. Consider the simple algebra sl(3, F ) of type A2 . Show that the subgroup
of Int L generated by the automorphisms τα in (14.3) is strictly larger than the Weyl group
(here S3 ). [View Int L as a matrix group and compute τα2 explicitly.]
Exercise 14.6. Use Theorem 14.2 to construct a subgroup Γ(L) of Aut L isomorphic to
the group of all graph automorphisms (12.2) of Φ.
Exercise 14.7. For each classical algebra (1.2), show how to choose elements hα ∈ H
corresponding to a base of Φ (cf. Exercise 8.2).

15 Cartan subalgebras
Cartan subalgebra will be abbreviated as CSA.
Exercise 15.1. A semisimple element of sl(n, F ) is regular if and only if its eigenvalues
are all distinct (i.e., if and only if its minimal and characteristic polynomials coincide).
Exercise 15.2. Let L be semisimple (char F = 0). Deduce from Exercise 8.7 that the
only solvable Engel subalgebras of L are the CSA’s.
Exercise 15.3. Let L be semisimple (char F = 0), x ∈ L semisimple. Prove that x is
regular if and only if x lies in exactly one CSA.
Exercise 15.4. Let H be a CSA of a Lie algebra L. Prove that H is maximal nilpotent,
i.e., not properly included in any nilpotent subalgebra of L. Show that the converse is false.
Exercise 15.5. Show how to carry out the proof of Lemma A of (15.2) if the field F is
only required to be of cardinality exceeding dim L.
Exercise 15.6. Let L be semisimple (char F = 0), L′ a semisimple subalgebra. Prove that
each CSA of L′ lies in some CSA of L. [Cf. Exercise 6.9.]

41
16 Conjugacy theorems
Exercise 16.1. Prove that E (L) has order one if and only if L is nilpotent.

Exercise 16.2. Let L be semisimple, H a CSA, ∆ a base of Φ. Prove that any subal-
gebra of L consisting of nilpotent elements, and maximal with respect to this property, is
conjugate under E (L) to N (∆), the derived algebra of B(∆).

Exercise 16.3. Let Ψ be a set of roots which is closed root set[closed] (α, β ∈ Ψ, α+β ∈
Φ implies α + β ∈ Ψ) and satisfies Ψ ∩ −Ψ = ∅. Prove that Ψ is included in the set of
positive roots relative to some base of Φ. [Use Exercise 16.2.] (This exercise belongs to
the theory of root systems, but is easier to do using Lie algebras.)

Exercise 16.4. How does the proof of Theorem 16.4 simplify in case L = sl(2, F )?

Exercise 16.5. Let L be semisimple. If a semisimple element of L is regular, then it lies

in only finitely many Borel subalgebras. (The converse is also true, but harder to prove,
and suggests a notion of “regular” for elements of L which are not necessarily semisimple.)

42
Chapter V
Existence Theorem
17 Universal enveloping algebras
Exercise 17.1. Prove that if dim L < ∞, then U(L) has no zero divisors. [Hint: Use the
fact that the associated graded algebra G is isomorphic to a polynomial algebra.]
Solution. Let A be a filtered algebra and B its associated graded algebra (Bi = Ai /Ai−1 ).
Then, if B is integral, then so is A. Otherwise, let xy = 0 in A with x ∈ An \ An−1 ,
y ∈ Am \ Am−1 and x̄, ȳ their images in B. Then x̄ȳ = 0. But B is integral, so either
x̄ = 0 or ȳ = 0, which means either x ∈ An−1 or y ∈ Am−1 , a contradiction. In our case,
G is isomorphic to a polynomial algebra, hence integral.

Exercise 17.2. Let L be the two dimensional nonabelian Lie algebra (1.4), with [x, y] = x.
Prove directly that i : L → U(L) is injective (i.e., that J ∩ L = 0).
Solution. In this case, J is generated by x ⊗ y − y ⊗ x − x. Therefore, J ∩ L = 0.

Exercise 17.3. If x ∈ L, extend ad x to an endomorphism of U(L) by defining ad x(y) =

xy − yx(y ∈ U(L)). If dim L < ∞, prove that each element of U(L) lies in a finite
dimensional L-submodule. [If x, x1 , · · · , xm ∈ L, verify that
∑
m
ad x(x1 · · · xm ) = x1 x2 · · · ad x(xi ) · · · xm .
i=1

Solution. Direct computation shows

∑
m ∑
m
x1 x2 · · · ad x(xi ) · · · xm = x1 x2 · · · (xxi − xi x) · · · xm
i=1 i=1
∑
m
= xx1 x2 · · · xm + x1 · · · xxi · · · xm
i=2
∑
m−1
− x1 · · · xi x · · · xm − x1 x2 · · · xm x
i=1
= xx1 x2 · · · xm − x1 x2 · · · xm x
= ad x(x1 x2 · · · xm ).

Exercise 17.4. If L is a free Lie algebra on a set X, prove that U(L) is isomorphic to
the tensor algebra on a vector space having X as basis.
Solution. Let V be the vector space spanned by X and T(V ) the tensor algebra of V .
Consider the following diagram where v, l, i, j are the canonical inclusions and other are
constructed as follows.
l / i / U(L)
X z= L C w
zz ϕ www
v
τ
zzz λ ww
z w
 zz  {ww ψ
V / T(V )
j

43
 1. By the universal property of V , there exists a unique linear map τ : V → L such
that τ ◦ v = l;

2. By the universal property of L, there exists a unique Lie algebra homomorphism

λ : L → T(V ) such that λ ◦ τ = j;

3. By the universal property of U(L), there exists a unique algebra homomorphism

ϕ : U(L) → T(V ) such that ϕ ◦ i = λ;

4. By the universal property of T(V ), there exists a unique algebra homomorphism

ψ : T(V ) → U(L) such that ψ ◦ j = i ◦ τ .

By the universal property of U(L) and T(V ), one can see that ϕ◦ψ = id and ψ ◦ϕ = id.
Therefore, they are isomorphic.

Exercise 17.5. Describe the free Lie algebra on a set X = {x}.

Solution. Let V be the vector space spanned by X and T(V ) the tensor algebra of V .
In this case, we have T(V ) ∼
= F [x]. The free Lie algebra L generated by X is the Lie
subalgebra of T(V ) generated by X. Thus L = V equipped with trivial bracket.

Exercise 17.6. How is the PBW theorem used in the construction of free Lie algebras?

Solution. Let L be the free Lie algebra generated by X. Let M be an arbitrary Lie
algebra and f : X → M a map. Then consider the following diagram.

l / λ / T(V )
X?? L
??
??  f ′ g
f ?? 
  
M
i / U(M )

By the universal property of T(V ), there exists a unique algebra homomorphism g

making the diagram commute. Restrict g to L, we get a Lie algebra homomorphism
f ′ fitting the commutative diagram. Since λ : L → T(V ) is injective, to guarantee the
uniqueness of f ′ , one need the fact that i : M → U(M ) is injective, which follows from
PBW.

18 Generators and relations

Exercise 18.1. Using the representation of L0 on V (Proposition 18.2), prove that the
algebras X, Y described in Theorem 18.2 are (respectively) free Lie algebras on the sets of
xi , yi .

Solution. For Y : the restriction of the action of L0 on V to Y is isomorphic to its left

multiplication. In this way, we can identify Y as the Lie subalgebra of the tensor algebra
V , which is generated by v1 , · · · , vl . Thus Y is the free Lie algebra on y1 , · · · , yl .
By the duality of X and Y , the conclusion follows.

Exercise 18.2. When rank Φ = 1, the relations (Sij +

), (Sij ) are vacuous, so L0 = L ∼
=
sl(2, F ).By suitably modifying the basis of V in (18.2), show that V is isomorphic to the
module Z(0) constructed in Exercise 7.7.

44
Solution. In this case, V = F [v]. So, we put wi = i!1 v i . Then these wi form a basis of V .
Direct computation shows:
1 −2i i
h.wi = h.v i = v = −2iwi ,
i! i!
1 1
y.wi = y.v i = v i+1 = (i + 1)wi+1 ,
i! i!
1 1
x.wi = x.v = (vx.v i−1 − 2(i − 1)v i−1 )
i
i! i!
−i(i − 1) i−1
= v = −(i − 1)wi−1 .
i!
Therefore v i 7→ wi gives the isomorphism V ∼
= Z(0).

Exercise 18.3. Prove that the ideal K of L0 in (18.3) lies in every ideal of L0 having
finite codimension (i.e., L is the largest finite dimensional quotient of L0 ).

Solution. Let I be an ideal of L0 having finite codimension. If I doesn’t contain some

xij . Then, by apply ad xi to the image of xj in L0 /I, we get an infinite dimensional space,
which is a contradiction.

Exercise 18.4. Prove that each inclusion of Dynkin diagrams (e.g. E6 ⊂ E7 ⊂ E8 )

induces a natural inclusion of the corresponding semisimple Lie algebras.

Solution. By Exercise 11.6, each inclusion of Dynkin diagrams induces an inclusion of

the corresponding root systems f : Φ → Φ′ and hence an isomorphism from Φ to its image.
Then, the Serre theorem tells that this induces an isomorphism from the semisimple Lie
algebra corresponding to Φ to that corresponding to f (Φ), which is a subalgebra of the
semisimple Lie algebra corresponding to Φ′ . This gives an inclusion of Lie algebras.

19 The simple algebras

45
Chapter VI
Representation Theory
20 Weights and maximal vectors
Exercise 20.1. If V is an arbitrary L−module, then the sum of its weight spaces is direct.

Solution. Let λ, µ be two distinct weights and v ∈ Vλ ∩ Vµ . Then, for all h ∈ H, we have
h.v = λ(h)v = µ(h)v. Since λ ̸= µ, there exists some h ∈ H such that λ(h) ̸= µ(h). Thus
v = 0.

Exercise 20.2. (a) If V is an irreducible L−module having at least one (nonzero) weight
space, prove that V is the direct sum of its weight spaces.

(b) Let V be an irreducible L−module. Then V has a (nonzero) weight space if and only
if U(H).v is finite dimensional for all v ∈ V , or if and only if A.v is finite dimensional
for all v ∈ V (where A = subalgebra with 1 generated by an arbitrary h ∈ H in U(H)).

(c) Let L = sl(2, F ), with standard basis (x, y, h). Show that 1−x is not invertible in U(L),
hence lies in a maximal left ideal I of U(L). Set V = U(L)/I, so V is an irreducible
L−module. Prove that the images of 1, h, h2 , · · · are all linearly independent in V (so
dim V = ∞), using the fact that
{
0 mod I, r>s
(x − 1) h ≡
r s
(−2)r r! · 1 mod I, r = s.

Conclude that V has no (nonzero) weight space.

Solution. (a) follows from Lemma ∑ 20.1(b).

(b):⊕Let v ∈ V and write v = vλ where λ are some weights and vλ ∈ Vλ . Then
A.v ⊂ Vλ and hence is finite dimensional.
Conversely, if A.v is finite dimensional for all v ∈ V , then there exists n such that
v, h.v, · · · , hn−1 .v are linearly independent while v, h.v, · · · , hn .v are not. If n = 1, then
v is an eigenvector of h and hence H and therefore V has a (nonzero) weight space. If
n > 1, let f (x) be the monic polynomial of degree n such that f (h).v = 0 and α a root of
f (x). Write f (x) = (x − α)g(x) and let v ′ = h.v − αv. Then we have

g(h).v ′ = g(h).((h − α).v) = f (h).v = 0.

Repeat this process, we sill finally find a v0 such that v0 , h.v0 are linearly dependent. As
we have shown this implies the existence of (nonzero) weight space.

Exercise 20.3. Describe weights and maximal vectors for the natural representations of
the linear Lie algebras of types Al − Dl described in (1.2).

Exercise 20.4. Let L = sl(2, F ), λ ∈ H ∗ . Prove that the module Z(λ) for λ = λ(h)
constructed in Exercise 7.7 is isomorphic to the module Z(λ) constructed in (20.3). Deduce
that dim V (λ) < ∞ if and only if λ(h) is a nonnegative integer.

46
 yi
Solution. Let wi = i! ⊗ v + . Then direct computation shows

ywi = (i + 1)wi+1 ;
hy i
hwi = ⊗ v+
i!
([h, y] + yh)y i−1
= ⊗ v+
i!
1
= (−2y i ⊗ v + + y(hy i−1 ⊗ v + ))
i!
1
= (−2y i ⊗ v + + (i − 1)!yhwi−1 )
i!
1
= (−2y i ⊗ v + + y(−2y i−1 ⊗ v + + (i − 2)!yhwi−2 ))
i!
··· ···
1
= (−2iy i ⊗ v + + y i h ⊗ v + )
i!
1
= (−2iy i ⊗ v + + y i ⊗ λv + )
i!
= (λ − 2i)wi ;
xy i
xwi = ⊗ v+
i!
([x, y] + yx)y i−1
= ⊗ v+
i!
1
= (hwi−1 + yxwi−1 )
i
1 1
= ((λ − 2i + 2)wi−1 + y (hwi−2 + yxwi−2 ))
i i−1
= ··· ···
1 1
= ((λ − 2i + 2)wi−1 + (λ − 2(i − 2))wi−1 + · · · + λwi−1 + y i xw0 )
i (i − 1)!
= (λ − i + 1)wi−1 .

yi
Therefore i! ⊗ v + 7→ wi gives the required isomorphism.

Exercise 20.5. If µ ∈ H ∗ , define P(µ)

∑ to be the number of distinct sets of nonnegative
integers kα (α ≻ 0) for which µ = α≻0 kα α. Prove that dim Z(λ)µ = P(λ − µ), by
describing a basis for Z(λ)µ .
∑ ∏
Solution. Let λ − µ = α≻0 kα α. By Theorem 20.2(b), ( α≻0 yαkα ).v + spans Z(λ)µ . By
PBW, they are linearly independent.

Exercise 20.6. Prove that the left ideal I(λ) introduced in (20.3) is already generated by
the elements xα , hα − λ(hα ).1 for α simple.

Solution. By Serre relations, we can construct all xα , hα − λ(hα ).1 from those for simple
α.

47
Index
acute, 38

diagonal matrices, 3
diagram automorphisms, 35

graph automorphisms, 35

Lie algebra, 2

Normalizer, 8

obtuse, 38
orthogonal algebra, 2, 3
orthogonal Lie algebra, 3
orthogonal matrix, 12

reductive, 21

scalar matrices, 4
self-normalizing, 8
special linear algebra, 2
special orthogonal Lie algebra, 3
strictly upper triangular matrices, 3
symplectic algebra, 2

upper triangular matrices, 3

48