Defining a Four Vector in Mathcad

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on defining a four-vector in Mathcad, specifically the vector I represented as I = (cdt, dx, dy, dz). The key requirement is to ensure that the inner product of the vector satisfies the Minkowski metric condition |I|^2 = c^2dt^2 - dx^2 - dy^2 - dz^2. Warren concluded that multiplying the components by appropriate constants and taking the inner product of I with itself is sufficient to achieve the desired result.

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  • Basic knowledge of Mathcad software
  • Concept of inner products in vector spaces
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jcsd
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How can you define a four vector in mathcad?

Bascially, I want to adjust the vector (mutiplying by arbitary constants if necessary):


[tex]I = \left(\begin{array}{c}cdt\\dx\\dy\\dz\end{array}\right)[/tex]

such that:

[tex]|I|^2 = c^2dt^2 - dx^2 - dy^2 - dz^2[/tex]
 
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You need the (Minkowski) metric to take the inner product.

- Warren
 
I worked out eventually that all I needed to do was mutiply were suitable by i and take the inner product of I and I.
 

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