Definition:Classical Group

Definition

The classical groups consist of the following $4$ types of group:

$(1): \quad$ The linear groups

$(2): \quad$ The orthogonal groups

$(3): \quad$ The symplectic groups

$(4): \quad$ The unitary groups.

Also see

• Definition:Special Linear Group

• Results about the classical groups can be found here.

Historical Note

The classical groups were studied before more exotic types of group (such as the sporadic groups) were discovered.

Hence they were retrospectively so referred to distinguish them from these later subjects of study.

Sources

• Weisstein, Eric W. "Classical Groups." From MathWorld--A Wolfram Web Resource. https://mathworld.wolfram.com/ClassicalGroups.html