composition algebras over
Theorem 1.
There are infinitely many composition algebras![]()
over .
Proof.
Every quadratic extension of is a distinct composition algebra. For example, for a prime number![]()
. This is sufficient to illustrate an infinitenumber of quadratic composition algebras.∎
The other families of composition algebras also have an infinite number of non-isomorphicdivision algebras though the proofs are more involved. It suffices to show providean infinite family of non-isometric quadratic forms![]()
of the form:
for rational numbers and . Such questions can involve complex number![]()
theory asfor instance, if is a prime congruent
![]()
to modulo then is isometric to and thus is isometric to forany other prime . But if then this cannot be said.