Gelfand–Mazur theorem: Difference between revisions

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The theorem follows from the fact that the [[spectrum (functional analysis)|spectrum]] of any element of a complex Banach algebra is nonempty: for every element ''a'' of a complex Banach algebra ''A'' there is some complex number ''λ'' such that ''λ''1 − ''a'' is not invertible. This is a consequence of the complex-analyticity of the [[Resolvent formalism|resolvent]] function. By assumption, ''λ''1 − ''a'' = 0. So ''a'' = ''λ · ''1. This gives an isomorphism from ''A'' to '''C'''.
The theorem follows from the fact that the [[spectrum (functional analysis)|spectrum]] of any element of a complex Banach algebra is nonempty: for every element ''a'' of a complex Banach algebra ''A'' there is some complex number ''λ'' such that ''λ''1 − ''a'' is not invertible. This is a consequence of the complex-analyticity of the [[Resolvent formalism|resolvent]] function. By assumption, ''λ''1 − ''a'' = 0. So ''a'' = ''λ · ''1. This gives an isomorphism from ''A'' to '''C'''.


A stronger and harder theorem was proved first by Stanisław Mazur alone, but it was published in France without a proof, when the author refused the editor's request to shorten his already short proof. Mazur's theorem states that there are (up to isomorphism) exactly three real Banach division algebras: the field of reals '''R''', the field of complex numbers '''C''', and the division algebra of [[quaternion|quaternions]] '''H'''. Gelfand proved (independently) the easier, special, complex version a few years later, after Mazur. However, it was Gelfand's work that influenced the further progress in the area.{{Citation needed|date=April 2016}}
The theorem can be strengthened to the claim that there are (up to isomorphism) exactly three real Banach division algebras: the field of reals '''R''', the field of complex numbers '''C''', and the division algebra of [[quaternion|quaternions]] '''H'''. This result was proved first by Stanisław Mazur alone, but it was published in France without a proof, when the author refused the editor's request to shorten his proof. Gelfand (independently) published a proof of the complex case a few years later.


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

* {{Cite book|last=Bonsall|first=Frank F.|last2=Duncan|first2=John|publisher=Springer|year=1973|isbn=|title=Complete Normed Algebras|url=https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-65669-9|location=|pages=71-4|language=en-gb|doi=10.1007/978-3-642-65669-9}}


* {{Rudin Walter Functional Analysis|edition=2}} <!-- {{sfn | Rudin | 1991 | p=}} -->
* {{Rudin Walter Functional Analysis|edition=2}} <!-- {{sfn | Rudin | 1991 | p=}} -->

Revision as of 23:21, 14 October 2020

In operator theory, the Gelfand–Mazur theorem is a theorem named after Israel Gelfand and Stanisław Mazur which states that a Banach algebra with unit over the complex numbers in which every nonzero element is invertible is isometrically isomorphic to the complex numbers, i. e., the only complex Banach algebra that is a division algebra is the complex numbers C.

The theorem follows from the fact that the spectrum of any element of a complex Banach algebra is nonempty: for every element a of a complex Banach algebra A there is some complex number λ such that λ1 − a is not invertible. This is a consequence of the complex-analyticity of the resolvent function. By assumption, λ1 − a = 0. So a = λ · 1. This gives an isomorphism from A to C.

The theorem can be strengthened to the claim that there are (up to isomorphism) exactly three real Banach division algebras: the field of reals R, the field of complex numbers C, and the division algebra of quaternions H. This result was proved first by Stanisław Mazur alone, but it was published in France without a proof, when the author refused the editor's request to shorten his proof. Gelfand (independently) published a proof of the complex case a few years later.

References

  • Bonsall, Frank F.; Duncan, John (1973). Complete Normed Algebras. Springer. pp. 71–4. doi:10.1007/978-3-642-65669-9.