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Mackey's test for irreducibility of induced representation over $\mathbb{C}$ is:

Let $G$ be a finite group, $H\leq G$, $W$ be a representation of $H$, and $W^x$ be conjugate representation of $H^x=xHx^{-1}$. Then following are equivalent:

(i) $Ind^G_H(W)$ is irreducible.

(ii) $W$ is irreducible and for each $x\in G\setminus H$, $W$ and $W^x$ have no common irreducible component, when restricted to $H\cap H^x$.

There is question posted, about changing the ground field, and the answer posted is (are) "Yes".

But, $(ii)\Rightarrow (i)$ is true for any field of characteristic zero or prime to $|G|$; how does $(i)\Rightarrow (ii)$ for such fields?

flag	asked Jan 11 2012 at 3:40 Jibran D. U. D. E. 81●2

Tom Goodwillie · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-12 21:52:27Z UTC

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No. Over $\mathbb R$ let $G$ be the quaternion group of order $8$, $H$ the subgroup of order $2$, $W$ the nontrivial one-dimensional representation.

EDIT For an even simpler example, see Kevin Ventullo's comment!

edited Jan 12 2012 at 21:52

answered Jan 11 2012 at 3:51

Tom Goodwillie
26.6k●2●58●110

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Even simpler: induce the nontrivial character of $Z/2$ up to $Z/4$ over $\mathbb{R}$. – Kevin Ventullo Jan 11 2012 at 16:56

Duh. Of course. You should write that as an answer. – Tom Goodwillie Jan 11 2012 at 17:55

Well, I figure people can just read the comment. For some reason, I like it better when there's only one answer. – Kevin Ventullo Jan 12 2012 at 20:06

Irreducibility of Induced Representation

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