Homogeneous Space - Formal Definition

Formal Definition

Let X be a non-empty set and G a group. Then X is called a G-space if it is equipped with an action of G on X. Note that automatically G acts by automorphisms (bijections) on the set. If X in addition belongs to some category, then the elements of G are assumed to act as automorphisms in the same category. Thus the maps on X effected by G are structure preserving. A homogeneous space is a G-space on which G acts transitively.

Succinctly, if X is an object of the category C, then the structure of a G-space is a homomorphism:

into the group of automorphisms of the object X in the category C. The pair (X,ρ) defines a homogeneous space provided ρ(G) is a transitive group of symmetries of the underlying set of X.

Read more about this topic:  Homogeneous Space

Famous quotes containing the words formal and/or definition:

    Two clergymen disputing whether ordination would be valid without the imposition of both hands, the more formal one said, “Do you think the Holy Dove could fly down with only one wing?”
    Horace Walpole (1717–1797)

    Was man made stupid to see his own stupidity?
    Is God by definition indifferent, beyond us all?
    Is the eternal truth man’s fighting soul
    Wherein the Beast ravens in its own avidity?
    Richard Eberhart (b. 1904)