Index Notation Help: Understanding Swapping Symbols in AxB=-BxA

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The discussion centers on understanding the proof that AxB = -BxA using index notation. The user is confused about the manipulation of indices, specifically why the proof allows for swapping indices s and k, and m and j, rather than simply replacing them with j and k. The explanation involves the properties of the Levi-Civita symbol and Kronecker delta, which facilitate index manipulation in tensor calculations. The key takeaway is that the specific index swapping is valid due to the antisymmetric nature of the Levi-Civita symbol. Clarification on these index manipulations is crucial for grasping the proof's validity.
genericusrnme
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Homework Statement



I was following along with a proof of AxB=-Bxa

it went along the lines of;
Let;
C=AxB=Ciei
D=BxA=Diei
for i=1,2,3
and we know
Ci=eijkAjBk
Di=eijkBjAk
we can manipulate B and A to give
Bj=BsDeltasj
Bk=AmDeltamk

so we find;
Di=eijkDeltasjDeltamkBsAm = eismBsAm

then it says replace s by k and m by j to find;
Di=eikjBkAj=-eijkAjBk=-Ci

I don't understand why you can just swap s to k and m to j, what's stopping you just replacing s to j and m to k and finding that Di=Ci?
(every time I tried to use the delta from the Latex reference I just got a superscript 1 so that's why I write Delta for the Kronecker Deltas)

Thanks in advance :smile:
 
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first try this for tex
C = A \times B = C_i = \epsilon_{ijk} A_j B_k
 
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