Lie bracket of derivations in space of r-forms

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the properties of derivations and skew-derivations in the context of differential forms as outlined in the textbook by Kobayashi and Nomizu. It establishes that a derivation of rank k maps r-forms to r+k-forms while adhering to the Leibnitz rule, whereas a skew-derivation of rank k' follows a modified Leibnitz rule. The participant claims that the bracket [D,D'] of a derivation D and a skew-derivation D' results in a skew-derivation of rank k+k', but their calculations suggest this holds only when k is even. The participant proposes that the theorem in Kobayashi and Nomizu may implicitly assume that k is even for Leibnitz derivations and odd for skew derivations, which requires further exploration.

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  • Basic concepts of graded algebras
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Blazejr
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Hello
In textbook by Kobayashi and Nomizu derivation of rank k in space of all differential forms on a manifold is defined to be operator that is linear, Leibnitz and maps r-forms into r+k-forms. By Leinbitz I mean, of course: D(\omega \wedge \eta)=(D \omega) \wedge \eta + \omega \wedge (D \eta). Skew-derivation is defined similarly, but rather than Leibnitz property it satisfies: D(\omega \wedge \eta)=(D \omega) \wedge \eta + (-1)^r \omega \wedge (D \eta), where \omega is r-form.
Then claim is made that if D is derivation of rank k and D' is skew-derivation of rank k' then [D,D'] is skew-derivation of rank k+k'. However, formula which I'm getting (just by using the properties given) is:
[D,D'] ( \omega \wedge \eta )= \left\{ ( [D,D'] \omega) \wedge \eta + (-1)^r \omega \wedge ([D,D'] \eta) \right\} +(-1)^r (1-(-1)^k) (D \omega) \wedge (D' \eta)
Term outside of curly brackets vanishes only for k even, so as far as I understand, claim given by K&N holds only then. If anyone has an idea what could have gone wrong (or is it possible that there is an error in K&N), please help. Thanks in advance.
 
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This problem led me to following conjecture: There is nothing wrong with my calculations, theorem in K&N is true, but the fact they omitted is that for derivations in differential forms spaces k is always even for Leibnitz derivations (example: Lie derivative) and odd for skew derivations (exterior derivative, interior product). That would solve problem above and nearly identical problem I had with anticommutator of two skew-derivations.

That conjecture is however based on the fact that I know no counterexamples (but I am not an expert) and it just fits. I have no idea how one could approach proving such thing. Maybe some deeper knowledge about graded algebras is needed?
 

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