Levi-Civita and Kronecker delta identity, proof with determinants

In summary, the conversation discusses a proof of the LC-KD identity involving determinants, with a focus on the last line of the text. The author explains how to sum the deltas in the upper right corner and how the sum 3 comes into play. The attempt at a solution involves writing out the whole determinant but this may not make the proof any easier.
  • #1
Pifagor
10
0

Homework Statement



I'm trying to understand a proof of the LC-KD identity involving determinants (see attachment), from the book Introduction to Tensor Calculus and Continuum Mechanics by Herinbockel.
What is the author saying in the last line of text? How can we sum the deltas in the upper right corner, shouldn't we sum the three determinants as a whole, since we're doing that on the other side of the equation? And how does the sum 3 come into the picture anyway?

Homework Equations



See attachment.

The Attempt at a Solution



It seems I should write out the whole determinant for all i,j,k,r,s,t, but that would not make the proof any easier than doing it by "brute force" in the first place!

Thanks for any help.
 

Attachments

  • Levi-Civita kronecker.pdf
    38.2 KB · Views: 1,994
Last edited:
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

Hi Pifagor! Welcome to PF! :smile:
Pifagor said:
See attachment.

erm :redface:

no attachment! :biggrin:
 
  • #3
.../four letter word /... now it should be OK
 
  • #4
that's better! :biggrin:

if you use the δit on the top right to replace all the is by ts in its cofactor, you get minus the cofactor for δii

the same for δis, so you have (3 - 1 - 1) times that cofactor :wink:
 

1. What is the Levi-Civita and Kronecker delta identity?

The Levi-Civita and Kronecker delta identity is a mathematical identity that relates the Levi-Civita symbol and the Kronecker delta symbol. It states that the sum of products of the Levi-Civita symbol and the Kronecker delta symbol is equal to the determinant of a matrix with entries from these symbols.

2. What is the significance of this identity?

This identity is commonly used in mathematics and physics to simplify calculations involving determinants. It also has applications in vector calculus, tensor analysis, and quantum mechanics.

3. How is this identity proven using determinants?

The proof involves using properties of determinants and the definition of the Levi-Civita and Kronecker delta symbols. By expanding the determinant on the left side of the identity, one can show that it is equivalent to the expression on the right side.

4. Are there any other ways to prove this identity?

Yes, there are other ways to prove this identity, such as using properties of the cross product or using index notation and the Einstein summation convention. However, the proof using determinants is the most commonly used and easiest to understand.

5. What are some applications of this identity?

This identity is used in various fields of mathematics and physics, such as in the study of vector fields, tensors, and quantum mechanics. It also has applications in engineering, particularly in the analysis of stress and strain in materials.

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