Is (u,v,u^v) a Positive Basis in Vector Algebra?

  • Thread starter Thread starter LCSphysicist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Basis Positive
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion confirms that the set of vectors (u, v, u^v) constitutes a positive basis in vector algebra, as do the sets (w^v, v, w) and (u, w^u, w). The expressions u^v, v^w, and w^u represent the cross products of the vectors, which are essential for determining the orientation of the basis. A basis is considered positive if the determinant of the matrix formed by these vectors is greater than zero, indicating a right-handed orientation. This is established through the relationships u^v = βw, v^w = γu, and w^u = λv, where λ, β, and γ are positive constants.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector algebra and cross products
  • Familiarity with determinants and their significance in linear algebra
  • Knowledge of basis orientation in vector spaces
  • Basic concepts of Lie algebras, particularly so(3) and sl(2)
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of determinants in relation to vector orientation
  • Learn about the wedge product and its applications in exterior algebra
  • Explore the concept of positive and negative bases in higher-dimensional vector spaces
  • Investigate the relationship between cross products and handedness in coordinate systems
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone studying linear algebra or vector calculus, particularly those interested in the concepts of basis orientation and cross products.

LCSphysicist
Messages
644
Reaction score
162
Homework Statement
If (u,v,w) is a positive basis, so (u^v, v^w,w^u) is too.
Relevant Equations
All below
I think we can say that (u,v,u^v) is a positive basis, so as (w^v,v,w) and (u,w^u,w). (1)

So
u^v = βw
v^w = γu
w^u = λv

where λ, β, and γ > 0 (*)

(u^v, v^w,w^u) = (βw,γu,λv)

\begin{vmatrix}
0 & 0 & β \\
γ & 0 & 0 \\
0 & λ & 0 \\
\end{vmatrix}

This determinant is positive by (*)

What you think about?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
LCSphysicist said:
Homework Statement:: If (u,v,w) is a positive basis, so (u^v, v^w,w^u) is too.
Relevant Equations:: All below

I think we can say that (u,v,u^v) is a positive basis, so as (w^v,v,w) and (u,w^u,w). (1)
What does it mean for a basis to be positive?
Also, assuming u, v, and w are vectors, what do the expressions u^v, v^w, and w^u mean? I don't know what it means to raise a vector to a vector power.
LCSphysicist said:
So
u^v = βw
v^w = γu
w^u = λv

where λ, β, and γ > 0 (*)

(u^v, v^w,w^u) = (βw,γu,λv)

\begin{vmatrix}
0 & 0 & β \\
γ & 0 & 0 \\
0 & λ & 0 \\
\end{vmatrix}

This determinant is positive by (*)

What you think about?
 
Mark44 said:
What does it mean for a basis to be positive?
Also, assuming u, v, and w are vectors, what do the expressions u^v, v^w, and w^u mean? I don't know what it means to raise a vector to a vector power.
This is a alternative notation to "u x v" "v x w" etc {cross product}
 
You didn't answer this question...
Mark44 said:
What does it mean for a basis to be positive?
LCSphysicist said:
This is a alternative notation to "u x v" "v x w" etc {cross product}
It's not one I've ever seen before, including in numerous linear algebra textbooks.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: Delta2 and member 587159
LCSphysicist said:
This is a alternative notation to "u x v" "v x w" etc {cross product}

Where did you encounter such horrible notation?
 
  • Like
  • Haha
Likes   Reactions: Delta2, LCSphysicist, fresh_42 and 1 other person
Math_QED said:
Where did you encounter such horrible notation?
So probably you will not like to see it kkk:
1594847027907.png
[Boulos geometria analitica]

1594847105377.png
[Wikipedia]

And go on... Is not the first time that someone here don't know this notation, i will try to not use anymore
 
  • Informative
Likes   Reactions: member 587159
Mark44 said:
You didn't answer this question...
It's not one I've ever seen before, including in numerous linear algebra textbooks.
Well, a positive basis... Is just a way to adopt a orientation to the space, as well we do to a line or a plane.

Be a straight line, we can say the vector v is the positive orientation, so we have a set of:
all the vector with the same direction of v, and all the others opposites.

Be a plane, we can say: there is a pair of vector (v,u) , if we route v to u using the smaller angle, and this rotation resulting to be counterclockwise, so we can say that there is a Set in R2 (when we say about pairs) of vectors that route in counterclockwise, let's assume this positive, and the others are negatives.

Be now a space: If we have two basis in R3, and we can route one basis to superimpose on the other, in such way that the all vectors of the first basis always remains LI, so we have a positive basis, otherwise, a negative basis.

In physics language, we can guide the basis by dextrogira and levogira.

Say that both basis are positive, is say "that the basis have the same orientation or not "

" Using the cross product requires the handedness of the coordinate system to be taken into account (as explicit in the definition above). If a left-handed coordinate system is used, the direction of the vector n is given by the left-hand rule and points in the opposite direction. " {wikipedia}

Apparently outside Brazil you say as left handed coordinates and right handed coordinates?
 
I will question by another way so.
"Be (u,v,w) a basis fixing an orientation in space, so (u x v , v x w , w x u) has the same orientation. Prove it"
 
Mark44 said:
What does it mean for a basis to be positive?

If a basis ##\beta = \{v_1, v_2, v_3 \}## is "positive", then ##v_1 \times v_2 \cdot v_3 > 0##. In other words, the basis is right-handed. At least I believe that's the convention.
 
  • #10
etotheipi said:
If a basis ##\beta = \{v_1, v_2, v_3 \}## is "positive", then ##v_1 \times v_2 \cdot v_3 > 0##. In other words, the basis is right-handed. At least I believe that's the convention.
In the case here i think this is not a good way to define, just make sense say "positive basis" if we compare with another adopted as a pattern. As said in the question "If ... is positive, so... is positive"
i could say " if ... is negative, so... is negative" too
I will post another question about this to see if there is another interpretation

But your sight is almost right, if we are comparing the basis ordinary i,j,k (adopting ijk positive) with this basis, we can find the changing of basis matrix and see if the determinant is positive or not.
##\beta = \{v_1, v_2, v_3 \}##
> 0
 
  • #11
1594849134364.png

"Show the basis has opposite orientation {it could be said: show if the basis E is positive, so F is negative}"
 
  • #12
LCSphysicist said:
View attachment 266403
"Show the basis has opposite orientation {it could be said: show if the basis E is positive, so F is negative}"

Well, suppose ##\vec{e}_1 \times \vec{e}_2 \cdot \vec{e}_3 = k##, then$$-\vec{e}_1 \times \vec{e}_2 \cdot \vec{e}_3 = - k$$If one is a right handed basis, the other is left handed. This is fairly intuitive, since reversing a single vector in your basis reverses the handedness.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: LCSphysicist
  • #13
Mark44 said:
It's not one I've ever seen before, including in numerous linear algebra textbooks.
Math_QED said:
Where did you encounter such horrible notation?

It's the wedge product https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exterior_algebra, just not very well typeset
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: member 587159
  • #14
I think the argument in the OP is fine, as long as why you explain why the constants ##\alpha,\beta,\gamma## being positive follows from the original basis being positive.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: LCSphysicist
  • #15
Infrared said:
I think the argument in the OP is fine, as long as why you explain why the constants ##\alpha,\beta,\gamma## being positive follows from the original basis being positive.
that is the main problem, i thought this intuitively, but i am still trying to know how to prove
 
  • #16
LCSphysicist said:
that is the main problem, i thought this intuitively, but i am still trying to know how to prove
Here's a coordinate free solution I was thinking of:

You can read ##(u,v,w)## as a basis of ##\mathfrak{sl}(2)## and interpret ##a \times b = [a,b]##. Then show that ##u\longmapsto [v,w]\, , \,v\longmapsto [w,u]\, , \,w\longmapsto [u,v]## defines a homomorphism and no anti-homomorphism.
 
  • Skeptical
Likes   Reactions: LCSphysicist
  • #17
Since ##u,v,w## is positively oriented, ##\det(u,v,w)=u\times v \cdot w=\beta w\cdot w## must be positive, so ##\beta>0##.

@fresh_42 Do you mean to use ##\mathfrak{so}(3)## instead of ##\mathfrak{sl}(2)##? The Lie algebra ##(\mathbb{R}^3,\times)## is isomorphic to the former and not the latter.
 
  • #18
Infrared said:
Since ##u,v,w## is positively oriented, ##\det(u,v,w)=u\times v \cdot w=\beta w\cdot w## must be positive, so ##\beta>0##.

@fresh_42 Do you mean to use ##\mathfrak{so}(3)## instead of ##\mathfrak{sl}(2)##? The Lie algebra ##(\mathbb{R}^3,\times)## is isomorphic to the former and not the latter.
There is only one simple Lie algebra over ##\mathbb{C}## of dimension three, but ##so(3)## is probably better suited in this case.
 
Last edited:
  • #19
LCSphysicist said:
Well, a positive basis... Is just a way to adopt a orientation to the space, as well we do to a line or a plane.

Be a straight line, we can say the vector v is the positive orientation, so we have a set of:
all the vector with the same direction of v, and all the others opposites.

Be a plane, we can say: there is a pair of vector (v,u) , if we route v to u using the smaller angle, and this rotation resulting to be counterclockwise, so we can say that there is a Set in R2 (when we say about pairs) of vectors that route in counterclockwise, let's assume this positive, and the others are negatives.

Be now a space: If we have two basis in R3, and we can route one basis to superimpose on the other, in such way that the all vectors of the first basis always remains LI, so we have a positive basis, otherwise, a negative basis.

In physics language, we can guide the basis by dextrogira and levogira.

Say that both basis are positive, is say "that the basis have the same orientation or not "

" Using the cross product requires the handedness of the coordinate system to be taken into account (as explicit in the definition above). If a left-handed coordinate system is used, the direction of the vector n is given by the left-hand rule and points in the opposite direction. " {wikipedia}

Apparently outside Brazil you say as left handed coordinates and right handed coordinates?
I see, so you select one basis to be positive and other bases are pisutive too if the cgange-of-basis matrix has positive determinant?
 
  • #20
WWGD said:
I see, so you select one basis to be positive and other bases are pisutive too if the cgange-of-basis matrix has positive determinant?
yes, actually... I can't demonstrate this, but the book i learned it said:
"Enviamos o leitor interessado ao Capitulo 11, $ 10, do livro Introduction to Modern Algebra and Matrix Theory, cujos autores são O. Schreier e E. Sperne"

"To all readers interesting, we recommend to go to the chapter 11, $ 10, Introduction to Modern Algebra and Matrix Theory, authors: O. Schreier e E. Sperne"

I think the things become clear if someone share this part of book with us.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K