Mutation (algebra)

Let A be an algebra over a field F with multiplication (not assumed to be associative) denoted by juxtaposition. For an element a of A, define the left a-homotope ${\displaystyle A(a)}$ to be the algebra with multiplication

${\displaystyle x*y=(xa)y.\,}$

Similarly define the left (a,b) mutation ${\displaystyle A(a,b)}$

${\displaystyle x*y=(xa)y-(yb)x.\,}$

Right homotope and mutation are defined analogously. Since the right (p,q) mutation of A is the left (−q, −p) mutation of the opposite algebra to A, it suffices to study left mutations.^[1]

If A is a unital algebra and a is invertible, we refer to the isotope by a.

• If A is associative then so is any homotope of A, and any mutation of A is Lie-admissible.
• If A is alternative then so is any homotope of A, and any mutation of A is Malcev-admissible.^[1]
• Any isotope of a Hurwitz algebra is isomorphic to the original.^[1]
• A homotope of a Bernstein algebra by an element of non-zero weight is again a Bernstein algebra.^[2]

A Jordan algebra is a commutative algebra satisfying the Jordan identity ${\displaystyle (xy)(xx)=x(y(xx))}$ . The Jordan triple product is defined by

${\displaystyle \{a,b,c\}=(ab)c+(cb)a-(ac)b.\,}$

For y in A the mutation^[3] or homotope^[4] A^y is defined as the vector space A with multiplication

${\displaystyle a\circ b=\{a,y,b\}.\,}$

and if y is invertible this is referred to as an isotope. A homotope of a Jordan algebra is again a Jordan algebra: isotopy defines an equivalence relation.^[5] If y is nuclear then the isotope by y is isomorphic to the original.^[6]

• Elduque, Alberto; Myung, Hyo Chyl (1994). Mutations of Alternative Algebras. Mathematics and Its Applications. Vol. 278. Springer-Verlag. ISBN 0792327357.
• Jacobson, Nathan (1996). Finite-dimensional division algebras over fields. Berlin: Springer-Verlag. ISBN 3-540-57029-2. Zbl 0874.16002.
• Koecher, Max (1999) [1962]. Krieg, Aloys; Walcher, Sebastian (eds.). The Minnesota Notes on Jordan Algebras and Their Applications. Lecture Notes in Mathematics. Vol. 1710 (reprint ed.). Springer-Verlag. ISBN 3-540-66360-6. Zbl 1072.17513.
• McCrimmon, Kevin (2004). A taste of Jordan algebras. Universitext. Berlin, New York: Springer-Verlag. doi:10.1007/b97489. ISBN 0-387-95447-3. MR 2014924.
• Okubo, Susumo (1995). Introduction to Octonion and Other Non-Associative Algebras in Physics. Montroll Memorial Lecture Series in Mathematical Physics. Berlin, New York: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-47215-6. MR 1356224. Archived from the original on 2012-11-16. Retrieved 2014-02-04.