Deriving Properties of Inner Products for Complex Vector Spaces

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The discussion focuses on deriving properties of inner products in complex vector spaces based on two given properties. It highlights a potential issue with an undefined expression in the attempted solution, suggesting that additional steps are necessary for clarity. The conversation emphasizes the importance of properly defining elements within the vector space to avoid confusion. A more efficient proof approach is recommended, utilizing the second property directly from the first line to streamline the argument. Overall, the dialogue underscores the need for precise definitions and logical progression in mathematical proofs.
DRose87
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(Not an assigned problem...)
1. Homework Statement

pg 244 of "Mathematical Methods for Physics and Engineering" by Riley and Hobson says that given the following two properties of the inner product

pfor1.jpg


It follows that:
image.jpg


2. Attempt at a solution.
I think that both of these solutions are valid...but even if they are valid, is there a simpler and more intuitive way to derive these properties of inner products for a complex vector space from i and ii?
solution.png
 
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The item ##\langle \mathbf c^*\ |\ \lambda^*\mathbf a^*+\mu^*\mathbf b^*\rangle## in the second line of your attempt is undefined. Even if it had been defined, eg by assuming that the elements of the vector space were sequences of complex numbers, and defining the conjugate of the sequence to be the sequence of the conjugates, additional steps would still be needed to prove that second line. It does not follow automatically from the previous one.

Fortunately, you can fix the problem and shorten your proof by one line at the same time, by making the second line the result of applying Property 2 to line 1, and continuing on from there.
 
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Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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