# defition of lie derivatives

by wdlang
Tags: defition, derivatives
 P: 304 suppose there is a vector field V on a manifold M V generates a flow on M suppose \gamma(t) is an integral curce in this flow now there is another vector field W on M why not define the lie derivative of W with respect to V as the limit of the divide (W(\gamma+\delta \gamma)-W(\gamma))/\delta \gamma here the difference is taken by components i think this is very natural from our experience in the calculus course in undergraduate. why we need to drag?
 Sci Advisor HW Helper PF Gold P: 4,768 The difference W(\gamma+\delta \gamma)-W(\gamma)) does not make sense since W(\gamma+\delta \gamma) and W(\gamma)) are elements of different vector spaces.
 Emeritus Sci Advisor PF Gold P: 9,018 The expression $\gamma+\delta\gamma$ (which I assume means $\gamma(t)+\delta\gamma(t)$) doesn't make sense either, since a manifold doesn't necessarily have a vector space structure. For most manifolds, both the + and the multiplication in $\delta\gamma(t)$ are undefined.

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