Proving Grassmann's Algebra Using Free Vector Spaces

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties of Grassmann's algebra as defined in the context of free vector spaces, particularly focusing on the ideal generated by specific elements in the free associative algebra. Participants are exploring the implications of these definitions and the nature of elements within the ideal.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how every element of the ideal can be expressed in the specified form, seeking a proof for this assertion.
  • Another participant asserts that the definition of "generated by" implies that the sum of elements in the ideal must also be a general element of the same form.
  • A third participant challenges the previous assertion, suggesting that the general element should be expressed as a sum of specific forms and questions whether such sums can be represented as a single element of the same form.
  • A fourth participant expresses interest in discussing the book further, indicating they are at a similar point in their reading.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the interpretation of the definition of the ideal and the nature of its elements. There is no consensus on whether all sums of the specified form can be expressed as a single element of the same form.

Contextual Notes

Participants are discussing definitions and properties that may depend on specific interpretations of algebraic structures and the definitions provided in the text, which could lead to varying conclusions based on those interpretations.

ilia1987
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I currently self study from the book "A Course in Modern Mathematical Physics" by Peter Szekeres, and I'm currently reading the chapter on tensors, which he defines using the concept of Free Vector Spaces.
He gives a re-definition of Grassmann's algebras introduced in the previous section by using the concept of free algebra. And I had the following problem while reading the text:
(This is a Citation:) "
Let \mathcal{F}(V) be the free associative algebra over a real vector space V, and let \mathcal{S} be the ideal generated by all elements of \mathcal{F}(V) of the form u \otimes T \otimes v + v \otimes T \otimes u where u,v\in V and T\in \mathcal{F}(V). The general element of \mathcal{S} is S \otimes u \otimes T \otimes v \otimes U + S \otimes v \otimes T \otimes u \otimes U where u,v\in V and S,T,U\in \mathcal{F}(V)
"
My question is: Why can every element be expressed in this way?
An Ideal is first of all a Vector Subspace, right? So the sum of any two such "general elements" is supposed to be a general element too.
In other words, how do I prove that :
S_1 \otimes u_1 \otimes T_1 \otimes v_1 \otimes U_1 + S_1 \otimes v_1 \otimes T_1 \otimes u_1 \otimes U_1 \ \ \ \ + \ \ \ \ <br /> S_2 \otimes u_2 \otimes T_2 \otimes v_2 \otimes U_2 + S_2 \otimes v_2 \otimes T_2 \otimes u_2 \otimes U_2 \ \ \ \ = \ \ \ \ <br /> S_3 \otimes u_3 \otimes T_1 \otimes v_3 \otimes U_3 + S_3 \otimes v_3 \otimes T_3 \otimes u_3 \otimes U_3
?

Thank you for your time.
 
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ilia1987 said:
I currently self study from the book "A Course in Modern Mathematical Physics" by Peter Szekeres, and I'm currently reading the chapter on tensors, which he defines using the concept of Free Vector Spaces.
He gives a re-definition of Grassmann's algebras introduced in the previous section by using the concept of free algebra. And I had the following problem while reading the text:
(This is a Citation:) "
Let \mathcal{F}(V) be the free associative algebra over a real vector space V, and let \mathcal{S} be the ideal generated by all elements of \mathcal{F}(V) of the form u \otimes T \otimes v + v \otimes T \otimes u where u,v\in V and T\in \mathcal{F}(V). The general element of \mathcal{S} is S \otimes u \otimes T \otimes v \otimes U + S \otimes v \otimes T \otimes u \otimes U where u,v\in V and S,T,U\in \mathcal{F}(V)
"
My question is: Why can every element be expressed in this way?
Because that is what "generated by" means!

An Ideal is first of all a Vector Subspace, right So the sum of any two such "general elements" is supposed to be a general element too.
In other words, how do I prove that :
S_1 \otimes u_1 \otimes T_1 \otimes v_1 \otimes U_1 + S_1 \otimes v_1 \otimes T_1 \otimes u_1 \otimes U_1 \ \ \ \ + \ \ \ \ <br /> S_2 \otimes u_2 \otimes T_2 \otimes v_2 \otimes U_2 + S_2 \otimes v_2 \otimes T_2 \otimes u_2 \otimes U_2 \ \ \ \ = \ \ \ \ <br /> S_3 \otimes u_3 \otimes T_1 \otimes v_3 \otimes U_3 + S_3 \otimes v_3 \otimes T_3 \otimes u_3 \otimes U_3
?

Thank you for your time.
 
I'm sorry, but if that's what generated means, the general element should be of the form:

\forall \ x\in \mathcal{S} , \ x=\displaystyle\sum_r (S_r \otimes v_r \otimes T_r<br /> \otimes u_r \otimes U_r \ + \ S_r \otimes u_r \otimes T_r<br /> \otimes v_r \otimes U_r)

where S_r,T_r,U_r \in \mathcal{F}(V) and u_r,v_r\in V.
The question is whether any sum of this form can be expressed as a single element of the same form.
 
Last edited:
Are you still reading that book? I am, and I'm just a few lines before the part you were discussing in the first message of this thread. Maybe we can exchange some comments.
 

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