Index Notation and Kronecker Delta

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around simplifying expressions involving the Kronecker delta in N dimensions, specifically focusing on the expression C_{ns}δ_{rn}. Participants are exploring the implications of the Kronecker delta's properties in the context of index notation.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are questioning the nature of the expression and whether it is undefined. There is also exploration of the significance of the constant C and its role in the simplification process. Some participants are attempting to connect this problem to a subsequent question involving multiple Kronecker deltas.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights into the properties of the Kronecker delta and its implications for simplification. Some guidance has been offered regarding the non-zero conditions of the delta, and there is an acknowledgment of the need to understand these properties before proceeding to related problems.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of homework rules, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is also a noted assumption regarding the relationship between indices in the expressions being discussed.

Lonely Lemon
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Homework Statement



Simplify the following expressions involving the Kronecker delta in N dimensions. Where possible, write the final result without indices.

[itex]C_{ns}\delta_{rn}[/itex]

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution



I know Kronecker delta is symmetric but that doesn't seem to help. Is this undefined?
 
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Hmm this sounds too simple, is there something special about C?
 
There's nothing special about C, the exercise is to just get us used to index notation and what it means I think but I'm struggling a bit. The next question is:

[tex]A_{ij}B_{nk}C_{rs}\delta_{jr}\delta_{sn}\delta_{ik}[/tex]

but I can't do that until I figure out how to work with delta above...
 
Well what's the definition of the Kronecker delta?
 
It's the identity matrix, but [tex]\delta_{rn}[/tex] could be either 0 or 1 depending on if r=n or r=/=n...

EDIT r=/=n
 
Last edited:
So if you have something like [itex]C_{ns}\delta_{rn}[/itex], that means this term is only non-zero when r=n so you can simplify the expression as [itex]C_{rs}[/itex]
 

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