Kronecker Delta Expansion: What is the Result of δijδkk?

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The discussion centers on the expansion of the expression δ_ijδ_kk, where the confusion arises regarding which indices are summed. It is clarified that only repeated indices are summed according to the Einstein summation convention, meaning k is summed while i and j remain. The correct interpretation leads to δ_kk equating to 3, resulting in δ_ijδ_kk yielding a final value of 3 times δ_ij. Thus, the overall result is 3 times the Kronecker delta, depending on whether i equals j. The final conclusion is that the expansion does not equal 9, but rather 3.
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If given δ_ijδ_kk what would the expansion of that be? I thought it was nine but have been told that is incorrect. I know that i=j =1 else zero so I thought that the δ_kk would equal 3 times 3 from the expansion of δ_ij but that isn't the answer
 
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Welcome to PF!

Hi cgstu! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)

In δijδkk, which indices are you summing over? :wink:
 


tiny-tim said:
Hi cgstu! Welcome to PF! :smile:

(try using the X2 tag just above the Reply box :wink:)

In δijδkk, which indices are you summing over? :wink:



I guess that's what I am not sure of. I know that if i=j then the delta function =1 else delta =0 so my thinking was

δ11δ11 + δ12δ11 +
δ13δ11 + δ21δ11 +
δ22δk11 + δ23δ11 + ... where only when the indices matched is the entire function = 1

δ11δ11, δ22δ11,
δ33δ11... etc

This would give me a total of 9. However, this is incorrect and I do not understand why.
 
Hi cgstu! :smile:

Nooo …

the "Einstein summation convention" is that only repeated indices are summed over.

In this case, k is repeated (ie, there's two of them!), so you sum over k, but i and j are not repeated, so you don't sum over them, and they'll still be in the final result.

In other words, δijδkk is shorthand for ∑k δijδkk. :smile:

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Einstein_summation_convention" for details. :wink:
 
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thanks tiny tim,
so if I understand correctly now the answer should be three?
 
cgstu said:
thanks tiny tim,
so if I understand correctly now the answer should be three?

No, δkk = 3, so δijδkk … ? :smile:
 
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