Differences in Presentation of Ordinary Partial Derivatives of Tensors

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the presentation of ordinary partial derivatives of tensors in different texts, particularly in the context of relativity and tensor calculus. Participants explore the variations in notation and the implications of these differences on understanding tensor operations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents examples of ordinary partial derivatives from different texts, noting variations in the number of partial derivatives included in the expressions.
  • Another participant acknowledges the relationship between the terms through the chain rule but questions the necessity of the additional term in the derivative expressions.
  • There is a specific inquiry into the mechanics behind the inclusion of the extra term and its cancellation, indicating a desire for deeper understanding of tensor operations.
  • A later reply confirms the correctness of the participant's guess regarding the relationship between the terms, but does not elaborate further.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express uncertainty regarding the necessity and implications of the additional partial derivative terms, indicating that multiple perspectives on the presentation of these derivatives exist. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the reasons for the inconsistencies across different texts.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights potential limitations in understanding due to varying presentations of mathematical expressions in different texts, which may depend on specific definitions or assumptions not fully explored in the conversation.

mokrunka
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Ok folks, I've taken a stab at the Latex thing (for the first time, so please bear with me).

I've mentioned before that I'm teaching myself relativity and tensors, and I've come across a question.

I have a few different books that I'm referencing, and I've seen them present the ordinary partial derivative in 3 different ways. It took me an hour to put together what I have below, so I have omitted the 3rd presentation, but I think I'm getting the message across with the examples below.

1)

V_{k'}=\frac{\partial u^{i}}{\partial u^{k'}}V_{k}

\frac{\partial}{\partial u^{l'}}(\frac{\partial u^{i}}{\partial u^{k'}}V_{i})=\frac{\partial^{2}u^{i}}{\partial u^{l'}\partial u^{k'}}V_{i}+\frac{\partial V_{i}\partial u^{i}}{\partial u^{l'}\partial u^{k'}}

2)

A_{s'}=\frac{\partial x^{r}}{\partial x^{s'}}A_{r}

\frac{\partial A_{s'}}{\partial x^{k'}}=\frac{\partial^{2}x^{r}}{\partial x^{k'}\partial x^{s'}}A_{r}+\frac{\partial A_{r}\partial x^{p}\partial x^{r}}{\partial x^{p}\partial x^{k'}\partial x^{s'}}

In the second example, there seems to be an additional partial derivative being conducted in the second term on the RHS of the equation. This is the first step (in the text) of explaining the need for the covariant derivative, and I'm trying to understand why some texts have this additional partial derivative, and indeed the third text has 3 sets of partial derivatives in the first term of the RHS of the equations. Can anyone help me understand why this term is here, and why the presentation is inconsistent?
 
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Right, I know they're the same from the chain rule.

My question really I guess is why is it necessary to add the additional term? Is it becauseA_{r}(x^{p}(x^{k'}))?

Since the text seems to present this in different ways, I'd really like to understand the mechanics of why this extra term is there (and then cancelled) so that I can make sure I understand the derivations and tensor operations further along.
 
You are guessing correctly.
 

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