Definition of Poisson Bracket: {f,g}

[Pyroadept]

Hi, what is the correct definition for a Poisson bracket?
Some books say it is:

{f,g} = df/dp.dg/dq - df/dq.dg/dp

but others say it is:

{f,g} = df/dq.dg/dp - df/dp.dg/dq

One is the other multiplied by -1.
Which is the correct definition?


Thanks for any help.

 

[Altabeh]

Hi, what is the correct definition for a Poisson bracket?
Some books say it is:

{f,g} = df/dp.dg/dq - df/dq.dg/dp

but others say it is:

{f,g} = df/dq.dg/dp - df/dp.dg/dq

One is the other multiplied by -1.
Which is the correct definition?


Thanks for any help.

You CAN use either the first definition or the other one and this only depends on author's style though if I were you, I would take the second one for granted in being more common and true.

AB