When does a group have a geometric realization

euclidean-geometrygeometrygroup-theorypermutationssymmetric-groups

I came across the following question in a set of lecture notes:

If $(G, *)$ is a group, when, in general, is it true that there exists $X \subset \mathbb{R}^n$ such that $G \cong \text{Sym}(X)$? Or, less formally, when does an abstract group have a geometric realization?

In this context, $\text{Sym}(X)$ is the group of isometries of $\mathbb{R}^n$ that permute $X$.

I'm quite confused about this. As far as I understand, the elements of the group act on the vertices by some group action. I suppose in order for $G$ to be identified with the group of symmetries, the action should be faithful, and transitive. But I know far too little about groups in order to be able to say anything more general or detailed about what we can deduce about the group structure. I also don't understand the importance of the $X$ being elements of $\mathbb{R}^n$, although this is a key part of the question.

So, summing up: what conditions does such a group need to satisfy, and how would the answer differ if we drop the condition that $X \subset \mathbb{R}^n$?

Best Answer

Even the question about existence of $n$ and $X\subset {\mathbb R}^n$ such that $G< Sym(X)$ has negative answer. The reason is that $Sym(X)$ is a subgroup of the group of Euclidean isometries, which, in turn, is isomorphic to a subgroup of the general linear group $GL(n+1, {\mathbb R})$ consisting of matrices of the block-diagonal form $$ \left[\begin{array}{cc} A& b\\ 0 & 1\end{array}\right] $$ where $A$ is a square $n\times n$ orthogonal matrix and $b$ is a column-vector. Here the corresponding Euclidean isometry is $$ {\mathbf x}\mapsto A{\mathbf x} + b. $$

At the same time, there are many examples of groups (even finitely generated ones) which are not isomorphic to subgroups of $GL(N, {\mathbb R})$ for any $N$, see for instance here. My personal favorite is BS(2,3) from the answer given by user1729.

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