X-Nico

unusual facts about Wedderburn's little theorem


Finite geometry

For finite projective spaces of geometric dimension at least three, Wedderburn's little theorem implies that the division ring over which the projective space is defined must be a finite field, GF(q), whose order (that is, number of elements) is q (a prime power).


Bearer of the Royal Banner

In 1821 the 8th Earl officiated at the Coronation of George IV, but in the following year Henry Scrymgeour-Wedderburn carried the royal banner at Holyroodhouse during the King's visit.

Finite dimensional von Neumann algebra

The finite dimensional case differs from the general von Neumann algebras in that topology plays no role and they can be characterized using Wedderburn's theory of semisimple algebras.

Hypercomplex number

Karen Parshall (1985) "Wedderburn and the Structure of Algebras" Archive for History of Exact Sciences 32:223–349.

Karen Parshall

The subject of her dissertation is the history of the theory of algebras, especially the work of Joseph Wedderburn (The contributions of J. H. M. Wedderburn to the theory of algebras, 1900–1910).

Wedderburn, New Zealand

Artist Grahame Sydney made the Wedderburn railway goods shed famous in his 1975 painting of the shed in an austere Otago landscape representing the economic and social changes brought about by railways.

Wedderburn, Oregon

Wedderburn was founded by R. D. Hume, a prominent local businessman in the fishing industry, who named the community after the home of his ancestors, Wedderburn Castle in Scotland.

Wedderburn, Victoria

Apart from gold, a number of Eucalyptus stills used to operate in the district and a replica still has been situated on the site and is fired up, by arrangement, for tourist buses.

Wedderburn's theorem

Artin–Wedderburn theorem, classifying semisimple rings and semisimple algebras


see also