Derivation (abstract algebra)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In abstract algebra, a derivation is a function on an algebra which generalizes certain features of the derivative operator. Specifically, given an algebra A over a ring or a field k, a k-derivation is a k-linear map D: A → A that satisfies Leibniz's law:

D(ab) = (Da)b + a(Db).

More generally, a k-linear map D of A into an A-module M, satisfying the Leibniz law is also called a derivation. The collection of all k-derivations of A to itself is denoted by Derk(A). The collection of k-derivations of A into an A-module M is denoted by Derk(A,M).

Derivations occur in many different contexts in diverse areas of mathematics. The partial derivative with respect to a variable is an R-derivation on the algebra of real-valued differentiable functions on Rn. The Lie derivative with respect to a vector field is an R-derivation on the algebra of differentiable functions on a differentiable manifold; more generally it is a derivation on the tensor algebra of a manifold. The Pincherle derivative is an example of a derivation in abstract algebra. If the algebra over A is noncommutative, then the commutator with respect to an element of the algebra A defines a linear endomorphism of A to itself, which is a derivation over k. An algebra A equipped with a distinguished derivation d forms a differential algebra, and is itself a significant object of study in areas such as differential Galois theory.

Contents

[edit] Properties

The Leibniz law itself has a number of immediate consequences. Firstly, if x1, x2, … ,xn ∈ A, then it follows by mathematical induction that

D(x_1x_2\cdots x_n) = \sum_i x_1\dots x_{i-1}D(x_i)x_{i+1}\cdots x_n.

In particular, if A is commutative and x1=x2=…=xn, then this formula simplifies to the familiar power rule D(xn) = nxn-1D(x). If A is unital, then D(1) = 0 since D(1) = D(1·1) = D(1) + D(1). Thus, since D is k linear, it follows that D(x)=0 for all x∈k.

If k ⊂ K is a subring, and A is a K-algebra, then there is an inclusion

Der_K(A,M)\subset Der_k(A,M),

since any K-derivation is a fortiori a k-derivation.

The set of k-derivations from A to M, Derk(A,M) is a module over k. Furthemore, the k-module Derk(A) forms a Lie algebra with Lie bracket defined by the commutator:

[D_1,D_2] = D_1\circ D_2 - D_2\circ D_1.

It is readily verified that the Lie bracket of two derivations is again a derivation.

[edit] Graded derivations

If we have a graded algebra A, and D is an homogeneous linear map of grade d = |D| on A then D is an homogeneous derivation if \scriptstyle{D(ab)=D(a)b+\epsilon^{|a||D|}aD(b)}, ε = ±1 acting on homogeneous elements of A. A graded derivation is sum of homogeneous derivations with the same ε.

If the commutator factor ε = 1, this definition reduces to the usual case. If ε = -1, however, then \scriptstyle{D(ab)=D(a)b+(-1)^{|a|}aD(b)}, for odd |D|. They are called antiderivations.

Examples of anti-derivations include the exterior derivative and the interior product acting on differential forms.

Graded derivations of superalgebras (i.e. Z2-graded algebras) are often called superderivations.

[edit] See also

[edit] References