How did you arrive at this expression?

[carvas]

1. Prove that [A,B^n] = nB^{n-1}[A,B]

Given that: [[A,B],B] = 0

My Atempt to resolution

We can write that:
[[A,B],B] = [A,B]B-B[A,B] = 0

So we get that: [A,B]B = B[A,B]

After some working several expansions, and considering that [X,YZ] = Y[X,Z] + [X,Y]Z

I arrived at this expression:

[A,B^n] = B^{n-1}[A,B]+B^{n-2}[A,B]+[A,B^{n-2}]B^2

But from here I'm a bit lost on how to get the desired result.
So, could anyone help me?

Thanks a lot!

 

[vela]

Prove it using induction.

 

[carvas]

yes, I've tried that, but i can't get to the desired result...

could you help me?

thx again

 

[vela]

Show us what you have so far.

 

[carvas]

what i have is the last expression in my first post.
so, by induction, and starting from this expression, i cannot get what i want to prove.

 

[vela]

Do you know how to do a proof by induction?

 

[Fredrik]

After some working several expansions, and considering that [X,YZ] = Y[X,Z] + [X,Y]Z

I arrived at this expression:

[A,B^n] = B^{n-1}[A,B]+B^{n-2}[A,B]+[A,B^{n-2}]B^2

This result contradicts the formula you say that you're using. (Think X=A, Y=B^n-2, Z=B²).