Whitehead group in mathematics may mean:
- A group W with Ext(W, Z)=0; see Whitehead problem
- For a ring, the Whitehead group Wh(A) of a ring A, equal to
- For a group, the Whitehead group Wh(G) of a group G, equal to K1(Z)/{±G}. Note that this is a quotient of the Whitehead group of the group ring.
- The Whitehead group Wh(A) of a simplicial complex or PL-manifold A, equal to Wh(π1(A)); see Whitehead torsion.
All named after J. H. C. Whitehead.
Famous quotes containing the words whitehead and/or group:
“Life is an offensive, directed against the repetitious mechanism of the Universe.”
—Alfred North Whitehead (1861–1947)
“Now, honestly: if a large group of ... demonstrators blocked the entrances to St. Patrick’s Cathedral every Sunday for years, making it impossible for worshipers to get inside the church without someone escorting them through screaming crowds, wouldn’t some judge rule that those protesters could keep protesting, but behind police lines and out of the doorways?”
—Anna Quindlen (b. 1953)