Homework Help: Indicial notation proof

1. Aug 30, 2010

Mugged

Hello, Im supposed to prove that the below is true

[$$\delta_{}im$$$$\delta_{}jn$$(em x en)]$$\bullet$$[$$\delta_{}pr$$$$\delta_{}qs$$(er x es)] = $$\delta_{}ip$$$$\delta_{}jq$$ - $$\delta_{}iq$$$$\delta_{}jp$$

where em, en,... are random unit vectors and that bullet point is supposed to be the dot product. Im supposed to consider all possible combinations of m,n,r, and s to show this.

Thank you

2. Aug 30, 2010

lanedance

first you can write everything in one test line, is this what you mean, clik on it to see how
$$\delta_{im} \delta_{jn} (e_m \times e_n) \cdot \delta_{pr} \delta_{qs} (e_r \times e_s) = \delta_{ip}\delta_{jq} -\delta_{iq}\delta_{jp}$$

now have a try simplifying right hand side using the properties of the delta function

also note they're not "random" unit vectors, the cross product should be easy to evaluate if you assume they are an orthornormal basis set (with a handedness)

3. Aug 30, 2010

Mugged

thank you lanedance for showing me how to properly do that tex code stuff, i was wondering why mine looked so funky. and yeah those are orthonormal vectors.

as for the delta property, is there one you had in mind because i still havent a clue as to which one to use. the one i have in front of me all deal with the levi-civita symbol and i dont want to use that in the proof

4. Aug 31, 2010

lanedance

$$\delta_{ij}= 0, \ \ if i=j$$

for example
$$\delta_{im} e_m = e_i$$

Last edited: Aug 31, 2010
5. Aug 31, 2010

Mugged

im sorry i still dont quite follow

6. Aug 31, 2010

lanedance

ok what don't you follow?

7. Aug 31, 2010

lanedance

PS, I'm happy to help you work it, but am not going to do the whole thing for you

8. Aug 31, 2010

Mugged

just the first step would be a gift, please im still really confused how i go about using $$\delta_{im} e_m = e_i$$

9. Aug 31, 2010

lanedance

ok here's first step (same as post #4)
$$\delta_{im} (e_m \times e_n) = (e_i \times e_n)$$

now apply the rest of the delta functions

10. Aug 31, 2010

Mugged

ok so after doing that to the left hand side i end up with:
$$(e_i \times e_j) \cdot (e_p \times e_q)$$

and then going in reverse to produce the deltas i want, i get:

$$\delta_{ip} \delta_{jq} (e_p \times e_q) \cdot \delta_{jp} \delta_{iq} (e_j \times e_i)$$

but i dont know how i would produce the right hand side...

11. Aug 31, 2010

Dick

$$(e_i \times e_j) \cdot (e_p \times e_q)$$