Date: Aug 7, 1994 2:04 PM
Author: Mortenson
Subject: Rotations in 3D

In Simon L. Altmann's book 'Rotations, Quaternions, and Double Groups,'
Altman states (p.28), "Rotations, however, are an accident of
three-dimensional space.  In spaces of any other dimensions, the
fundamental operations are reflections (mirrors)."  I know that a rotation
can be represented by reflection transformations,  that reflections are
more general, and that rotations can be performed in 2, 3, or N dimentions.
So, what do you suppose Altman means when he says rotations are an
'accident of three-dimensional space?'

Mike Mortenson
mortnson@olympus.net