High School How to find the dual basis vector for the following

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on finding the dual basis vectors for the natural basis defined by the vectors e1 = i + j + 2vk, e2 = i - j + 2uk, and e3 = k. It is established that knowledge of the entire basis is essential to determine the corresponding dual basis. The gradient operator (∇) is utilized to find the dual basis vectors, as it relates to the tangent vector basis. Additionally, the relationship between the dual basis vectors and the tangent vector basis is governed by the Kronecker delta, which plays a crucial role in understanding their orientation and length.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of dual basis vectors in linear algebra
  • Familiarity with the gradient operator (∇) and its application
  • Knowledge of Kronecker delta and its implications in vector spaces
  • Basic concepts of covariant and contravariant vectors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of dual bases in linear algebra
  • Learn about the application of the gradient operator in vector spaces
  • Explore the significance of the Kronecker delta in tensor analysis
  • Investigate the relationship between covariant and contravariant vectors
USEFUL FOR

Mathematicians, physicists, and students studying linear algebra or differential geometry who seek to deepen their understanding of dual bases and their applications in various fields.

LSMOG
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ei=i+j+2vk , how to find the dual basis vector if the above is a natural base?
 
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It is not sufficient to know one of the basis vectors to deduce the corresponding dual basis. You must know the entire basis to find its dual.
 
Orodruin said:
It is not sufficient to know one of the basis vectors to deduce the corresponding dual basis. You must know the entire basis to find its dual.
Thak you. They are
e1=i+j+2vk
e2=i-j+2uk
e
3=k
How to find their dual basis?
 
What should the dual basis satisfy? How can you find vectors that satisfy these conditions?
 
Orodruin said:
What should the dual basis satisfy? How can you find vectors that satisfy these conditions?
Mmm, my book does not explain. It just says, the dual basis are...I can't figure it out
 
Orodruin said:
What should the dual basis satisfy? How can you find vectors that satisfy these conditions?
I got. I use the ∇ operator to find the gradient of each natural base
 
LSMOG said:
Mmm, my book does not explain. It just says, the dual basis are...I can't figure it out
This is not helping much. Please do not refer to "my book" without stating which book you are using.

LSMOG said:
I got. I use the ∇ operator to find the gradient of each natural base
The gradient of a coordinate function gives you the corresponding dual basis vector in the same way as the tangent vector basis are the tangent vectors of the coordinate lines. However, if you are just given the tangent vector basis and not the actual coordinate functions, this is not a viable way forward since you do not have the coordinate functions to take the gradient of. (Do you have the coordinate functions? Please reproduce the entire problem exactly as stated.) However, there are certain relations between the dual basis vectors and the tangent vector basis that need to be satisfied and that you can use to deduce the dual basis from the tangent vector basis.
 
Do you know the conditions of a dual basis?
Have you built the metric and the inverse of the metic?
what is the dot product between the vectors of the covariant basis and the vectors of the contravariant basis?

I believe that these questions are relevants for your project.
Ok, I'm not an expert, then if I say something wrong I hope someone corrects me.
 
alejandromeira said:
Do you know the conditions of a dual basis?
Have you built the metric and the inverse of the metic?
what is the dot product between the vectors of the covariant basis and the vectors of the contravariant basis?

I believe that these questions are relevants for your project.
Ok, I'm not an expert, then if I say something wrong I hope someone corrects me.
I think the product is Kronecker delta
 
  • #10
LSMOG said:
I think the product is Kronecker delta
So how many relations does that give you? How many unknowns do you have?

Edit: And more importantly, what does it tell you about, for example, the relation between ##\vec e^1## and ##\vec e_2## and ##\vec e_3##?
 
  • #11
LSMOG said:
I think the product is Kronecker delta
Yes.
Dot product, and then Kronecker delta has relevant consecuences in the orientation and the length of the vectors of the dual basis.
You can compute the dual basis without the metric like I think Orodruin suggest you, based in geometry. But raise and lower indices, is also a routinary task with the metric.
 
Last edited:

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