Kronecer delta tensor transformation

Matterwave
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Homework Statement


Show that \delta_a^b is a in fact a mixed tensor of valence (1,1).

Homework Equations



Definition of a (1,1) tensor:

\delta'_a^b=\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^c}\frac{\partial x^d}{\partial x'^a}\delta_c^d

The Attempt at a Solution



So, I just explicitly put back the summations and I get a sum over c from 1 to 4 and a sum over d from 1 to 4 of the above expression. I did the sum over c first and got:

\sum_{d=1}^4 (\delta_1^d\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^d}{\partial x'^a}+...)

Where the ... had the \delta_2^d terms etc. I did the summation over d, and I seem to be getting:

\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial x^2}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^3}\frac{\partial x^3}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^4}\frac{\partial x^4}{\partial x'^a}

Which equals:
4\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x'^a}

I get the 4 because there's 4 instances where the kronecker deltas don't equal 0 (when d=1 the first term remains, when d=2 the second term remains, etc)...but I really shouldn't have that 4 there. What happened? =(
 
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Matterwave said:
Where the ... had the \delta_2^d terms etc. I did the summation over d, and I seem to be getting:

\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial x^2}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^3}\frac{\partial x^3}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^4}\frac{\partial x^4}{\partial x'^a}

This should look a lot like the chain rule to you :wink:

x'^b can be thought of as being a function of x_1, x_2, x_3, and x_4; and each of those coordinates can be thought of as being a function of x'^a (as well as the other 3 primed coordinates, but it's a partial derivative so that doesn't matter)

\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}\neq\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x'^a}
 
Ok...but then I don't see how to do that summation then...>_>

So, is it true that:\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial x^2}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^3}\frac{\partial x^3}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^4}\frac{\partial x^4}{\partial x'^a}=\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x'^a}

?

I don't see how that can be true...yet if I've done the steps right, that must be true...oh wait, is that just the reverse chain rule? If so, shouldn't it then be changed to a total derivative or something?
 
Matterwave said:
\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial x^2}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^3}\frac{\partial x^3}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^4}\frac{\partial x^4}{\partial x'^a}=\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x'^a}

?

Yes, this is the chain rule.

\frac{\partial}{\partial x'^a} x'^b(x^1,x^2,x^3,x^4)=\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^1}\frac{\partial x^1}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^2}\frac{\partial x^2}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^3}\frac{\partial x^3}{\partial x'^a}+\frac{\partial x'^b}{\partial x^4}\frac{\partial x^4}{\partial x'^a}
 
Right, I looked it up on Wiki, and found the same. Thanks! =D

(looks like my astro-induced habit of canceling out differentials has backfired this time).
 
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