Graduate Difficulty in understanding contracted Bianchi identities

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The discussion focuses on confusion regarding the contraction in the proof of the contracted Bianchi identities, particularly the equality of certain terms involving the Ricci tensor and Riemann tensor. Participants clarify that the choice of summation indices does not affect the outcome, emphasizing that the proof relies on the definitions and symmetries of these tensors rather than index cancellation. One user expresses frustration over understanding these relationships, while another suggests leveraging the symmetries and antisymmetries of the Riemann tensor to resolve the confusion. The conversation highlights the importance of grasping tensor properties in this context. Overall, a deeper understanding of tensor symmetries is essential for comprehending the contracted Bianchi identities.
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I am confused about the contraction in the proof of the contracted Bianchi identities in

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proofs_involving_covariant_derivatives

from the step
{g^{bn}}(R_{bmn;l}^m - R_{bml;n}^m + R_{bnl;m}^m) = 0
it seems that the following two quantities are equal
{g^{bn}}R_{bml;n}^m = R_{l;n}^n
- {g^{bn}}R_{bnl;m}^m = R_{l;m}^m
but I don't understand how is this done if I write them explicitly
{g^{bn}}({\nabla _n}R)_{bml}^m
- {g^{bn}}({\nabla _m}R)_{bnl}^m
Can anybody help me? I am new to this field and I feel there is something missing. Please help to point out.
 
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The only difference between the terms is the name of the summation index. Sums do not depend on what you call the summation indices.
 
Orodruin said:
The only difference between the terms is the name of the summation index. Sums do not depend on what you call the summation indices.
Thanks for replying. you are right it doesn't matter what dummy indices are used for summation. But I feel that here is a game of cancling indecis, which does not make sense. does the proof imply
{g^{bn}}R_{bml}^m = R_l^n
and
{g^{bn}}R_{bnl}^m = -R_l^m
in this case
- {g^{bn}}R_{bnl}^m = R_l^m = {g^{bm}}R_{bkl}^k
I just don't see how this is true
 
There is no cancelling of indices, just the definition of the Ricci tensor and use of the symmetries of the Riemann tensor.
 
Orodruin said:
There is no cancelling of indices, just the definition of the Ricci tensor and use of the symmetries of the Riemann tensor.
Can you be more specific? is this relationship right?

- {g^{bn}}R_{bnl}^m = R_l^m = {g^{bm}}R_{bkl}^k

sorry for haunting you. I have been stuck here for 2 days.
 
I suggest using the symmetries and antisymmetries of the Riemann tensor with all indices lowered and you should be able to figure it out.
 

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