# Representation quaternions as matrices

char F≠2, a,b invertable from F, A(a,b) - generalised quaternions. Using Artin–Wedderburn theorem there is a representation of them over F. I found representation as Q8 but it's not over F. So, how to find representation as matrices over F?

-
Have you looked at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaternion_algebra ? –  S. Carnahan Jun 1 '13 at 22:38

You could take the regular representation (left multiplication on $A$). So if $x^2 = a, y^2 = b$ then taking a basis $\{1,x,y,xy\}$ of $A$, $x$ would be represented by the matrix $$\left( \begin{array}{cccc} 0 & a & 0 & 0 \cr 1 & 0 & 0 & 0 \cr 0 & 0 & 0 & a \cr 0 & 0 & 1 & 0 \end{array} \right),$$ etc.
The Artin-Wedderburn theorem doesn't claim there is a representation as 2 x 2 matrices. Take Hamilton's quaternions $A(-1,-1)$ with $F = {\mathbf R}$. The usual representation with matrices uses 4 x 4 real matrices or 2 x 2 complex matrices. –  KConrad Jun 1 '13 at 12:57
An isomorphism between the generalized quaternion algebra $(a,b)_F$ and $M_2(F)$ only exists if the the form $x^2-ay^2-bz^2+abt^2$ has a nontrivial zero. –  Name Jun 1 '13 at 14:00