Alphabeta Math
CorollaryStatement: Literature-sourcedProof: AI-adaptedPipeline-generatedaudited 2026-09-22
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The only scalar multiples of a root that are roots are plus or minus the root

Statement

Assume the Axiom of Choice. Let h be a Cartan subalgebra of a finite-dimensional complex semisimple Lie algebra g and let α,cα∈Φ be roots, where Φ is the root set of Root and root space. Then c=±1.

Facts & Assumptions

Given: The Axiom of Choice, such g,h and roots α and β=cα.

[A1]

The Axiom of Choice is The Axiom of Choice; it licenses the Killing-dual, coroot, root-triple, and opposite-bracket facts in [L1]--[L4].

[L1]

For every root γ, its coroot is hγ=2Hγ/γ(Hγ) with Hγ the Killing-dual vector and γ(Hγ)≠0 (Coroot of a Lie-algebra root, Killing-dual vector of a root).

[L2]

Cartan integers are integral: β(hα)∈Z and α(hβ)∈Z for roots α,β (Cartan integers are integers).

[L3]

For every root γ there are eγ∈gγ, fγ∈g−γ, and hγ=[eγ,fγ] satisfying the sl2 relations (The root sl2 triple).

[L4]

Root-space brackets add their weights, and the opposite bracket is the line CHγ=Chγ (Brackets of root spaces, The bracket of opposite root spaces is the root line).

[L5]

The trace of a commutator of finite-dimensional endomorphisms is zero (For A∈Mm×n(F) and B∈Mn×m(F), tr⁡(AB)=tr⁡(BA)).

Proof

technique · direct
1.1A1L1algebra

Since Hcα=cHα by the defining equation B(Hcα,H)=cα(H), the coroots satisfy hcα=2cHαcα(cHα)=2Hαc α(Hα)=hα/c.

1.2A1L3L4algebra

We first prove that twice a root is never a root. For a root γ, put Wγ=Ceγ⊕Chγ⊕⨁j≥1g−jγ. This is a finite direct sum because the root spaces are joint eigenspaces for distinct functionals in the finite-dimensional space g. It is stable under the adjoint action of the triple in [L3]: ad⁡eγ and ad⁡fγ shift the root-space index by 1 and −1, respectively, the exceptional opposite bracket lands in Chγ by [L4], and ad⁡hγ preserves every displayed summand.

2.1L2step 1.1algebra

By [L2] applied to the pair (α,β) we get 2c=β(hα)=c α(hα)∈Z, and applied to the pair (β,α) we get 2/c=α(hβ)=α(hα/c)∈Z.

2.2L3L5step 1.2algebra

On Wγ one has ad⁡hγ=[ad⁡eγ,ad⁡fγ], so [L5] makes its trace zero. Its eigenvalues on the displayed direct sum are 2 on Ceγ, 0 on Chγ, and −2j on g−jγ. Therefore 0=2−2∑j≥1jdim⁡g−jγ, so ∑j≥1jdim⁡g−jγ=1. Hence g−jγ=0 for every j≥2. Applying the same argument to the root −γ gives gjγ=0 for every j≥2; in particular 2γ is not a root.

3.1step 2.1algebra

The two integrality statements say c=m/2 for some integer m and 4/m∈Z, so m divides 4 and c∈{±12,±1,±2}.

4.1step 3.1step 2.2algebra∎

Now c≠2 and c≠−2, since 2α and −2α=2(−α) are not roots by step 2.2; and c≠12,−12, since then 2β=±α would be twice the root β, again contradicting step 2.2. Hence c=±1.

Depends on

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