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12 votes
2 answers
467 views

Example of a finite group $G$ with low dimensional cohomology not generated by Stiefel-Whitney classes of flat vector bundles over $BG$

In Stiefel-Whitney classes of real representations of finite groups, J. Algebra 126 (1989), no. 2, 327–347, Gunawardena, Kahn and Thomas dealt with the question, whether the cohomology ring $H^...
9 votes
0 answers
232 views

A conjecture of Adams on the mod p cohomology of classifying spaces of Lie groups

In the paper On the mod p cohomology of BPU(p), the authors say that there is a conjecture of J. F. Adams as follows: Conjecture (J. F. Adams) Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group, and let $p$ be ...
20 votes
0 answers
445 views

Which classes in $\mathrm{H}^4(B\mathrm{Exceptional}; \mathbb{Z})$ are classical characteristic classes?

Let $G$ be a compact connected Lie group. Recall that $\mathrm{H}^4(\mathrm{B}G;\mathbb{Z})$ is then a free abelian group of finite rank. Let us say that a class $c \in \mathrm{H}^4(\mathrm{B}G;\...
4 votes
0 answers
192 views

Extended double 2-cocycle conditions: Mathematical structure behind?

Note: For experts, to save your time, you can just read the highlighted texts and Eqs directly. The ordinary group 2-cocycle condition: Let us remind the usual so-called homogeneous group 2-cocycle $...
15 votes
1 answer
629 views

Characteristic classes of symmetric group $S_4$

For the symmetric group $S_3$, it is classically known that \begin{equation} H^*(S_3;\mathbb{Z})\cong \mathbb{Z}[x,y]/(2x,6y,x^2-3y), \end{equation} where $|x|=2$ and $|y|=4$. Moreover, $x$ can be ...
6 votes
1 answer
289 views

Calculation of the Schur multiplier of $\mathbb Z^2$

Consider a projective representation of $\mathbb Z^2$ with $U(1)$ coefficients. I would like to find the covering group corresponding to this representation. For this, one needs to find the ...
9 votes
1 answer
308 views

Projective resolutions of finite-dimensional representations of infinite groups

Let $G$ be a group and let $V$ be a finite-dimensional complex representation of $G$. Question: Under what circumstances can I find a projective resolution $$ \cdots \longrightarrow P_3 \...
14 votes
1 answer
704 views

What is the first Pontryagin class of the $n$-dimensional representation of $S_n$?

The symmetric group $S_n$ has an $n$-dimensional defining representation, which splits as $n = (n-1) + 1$. Although this representation exists integrally, I would like to think of this as a real ...
2 votes
1 answer
391 views

cohomology of orthogonal (or general linear) group over finite fields

Let $\mathbb{Z}_2=\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$. Let $$ O(\mathbb{Z}_2^{\oplus k})=\{A\mid A \text{ is a } k\times k \text{ - matrix with entries } 0,1, det(A)=\pm 1\} $$ What is $$ H^*(BO(\mathbb{Z}_2^{\...
1 vote
1 answer
614 views

cohomology of orthogonal group of integers

Let $$ O(\mathbb{Z}^{\oplus k})=GL(\mathbb{Z}^{\oplus k})\cap O(k). $$ What is $$ H^*(BO(\mathbb{Z}^{\oplus k});\mathbb{Z})? $$ If it cannot be computed out, can we get $$ H^*(O(\mathbb{Z}^{\oplus ...