Solving Tensor Index Manipulation Confusion

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the manipulation of tensor indices in the expression involving the partial derivative of the metric tensor, specifically ## \frac{\partial{g}}{\partial{g_{\mu j}}} *g_{\nu j}=g \delta^{\mu} _{\nu} ##. It is established that the expression is nonzero only when ##\mu## equals ##\nu##, leading to the conclusion that summation over both indices is necessary. The confusion arises in understanding the implications of summation and the vanishing of certain terms when taking further derivatives, particularly ## \frac{\partial^{2}{g}}{{\partial{g_{\mu j}}}{\partial{x^{i}}}} ##, which does not contribute to the final result.

PREREQUISITES
  • Tensor calculus fundamentals
  • Understanding of metric tensors in differential geometry
  • Knowledge of partial derivatives and their properties
  • Familiarity with Einstein summation convention
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of metric tensors in general relativity
  • Learn about the Einstein summation convention and its implications
  • Explore the derivation of the Christoffel symbols from the metric tensor
  • Investigate the role of partial derivatives in tensor calculus
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This discussion is beneficial for students and researchers in theoretical physics, particularly those studying general relativity and tensor analysis, as well as mathematicians focusing on differential geometry.

kau
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I am making mess of the following expression..
i have following expression ## \frac{\partial{g}}{\partial{g_{\mu j}}} *g_{\nu j}=g \delta^{\mu} _{\nu} ##
then I have sum over j only in the above expression.
But above expression is nonzero only when ##{\mu}## is equal to ##\nu##.
So we have ## \frac{\partial{g}}{\partial{g_{\mu j}}} *g_{\mu j}=g ## ...(a)
I can understand that there is no ##\mu## dependence in right hand side so we have to sum over ##{\mu}## also. But doing the mathematical step just summing over ##{\nu}## gives equation in ##{\mu}## but in addition how the summation in that implied?
Also now if I take partial derivative of the above expression (a) how it gives
## \frac{\partial{g}}{\partial{g_{\mu j}}} *\frac{\partial{g_{\mu j}}}{\partial{x^{i}}}=\frac {\partial{g}}{\partial{x^{i}}} ##
?? why the term like ## \frac{\partial^{2}{g}}{{\partial{g_{\mu j}}}{\partial{x^{i}}}} ## vanishes?
please tell me what I am missing??
 
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I believe you could clear things up for yourself if you explicitly used the sum sign rather than relying on the convention.
 

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