How Is the Taylor Expansion Applied to Metric Tensors?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the application of Taylor expansion to metric tensors, focusing on the derivation and logic behind the expansion in the context of differential geometry and smooth manifolds. Participants seek clarification on specific aspects of the Taylor series as it relates to metric tensors and coordinate systems.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant requests clarification on the derivation of a specific equation related to metric tensors and expresses a need for valuable responses.
  • Another participant questions the use of $$x^k x^l$$ instead of $$\partial x^k$$ $$\partial x^k$$ in the Taylor series, referencing a link that discusses the standard form of the series.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about the lack of responses and seek reassurance regarding the clarity of their questions.
  • A participant suggests that the metric Taylor series shows expansion around a point "p," interpreting "x" as a displacement from that point.
  • Another participant elaborates on the application of the Taylor series in the context of a smooth manifold, explaining how the components of the metric are functions of several variables and can be evaluated at a point in a chosen chart.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and clarity regarding the application of the Taylor expansion to metric tensors. There is no consensus on the specific questions raised, and multiple viewpoints on the interpretation of the Taylor series remain present.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference the need for a deeper understanding of the calculus of several variables and the implications of coordinate choices in the context of metric tensors. The discussion highlights potential gaps in assumptions and definitions related to the Taylor expansion.

mertcan
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hi, when I dug up something about metric tensors, I found a equation in my attached file. Could you provide me with how the derivation of this ensured? What is the logic of that expansion in terms of metric tensor? I really need your valuable responses. I really wonder it. Thanks in advance...
 

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Actually I want to ask why do we have $$x^k x^l$$ instead of $$\partial x^k$$ $$\partial x^k$$ ? In taylor series, I know we always write the infinite smalls..

for instance in this link (http://mathworld.wolfram.com/TaylorSeries.html), they have (x-a) and x approaches to a. In short (x-a) becomes $$\partial x$$...
 
I hope my question is clear and I really would like to ask Is there anyone who is capable of responding to my question?
 
Guys, I do not know why you do not give answer. İs there a situation that bothers you in my question ? Uncertainity really makes me bad...
 
mertcan said:
Guys, I do not know why you do not give answer. İs there a situation that bothers you in my question ? Uncertainity really makes me bad...
You are being too impatient. Sometimes it takes a while for someone to answer such a basic question.

Have a look at this Wikipedia page about Taylor series for several variables. The metric taylor series in your image just shows expansion around a point "p". I.e., x is like a displacement from the point p.
 
strangerep said:
You are being too impatient. Sometimes it takes a while for someone to answer such a basic question.

Have a look at this Wikipedia page about Taylor series for several variables. The metric taylor series in your image just shows expansion around a point "p". I.e., x is like a displacement from the point p.
thank you strangerep, I consider that your answer is close to my first thought. You mean If we look at or make taylor expansion around so close points, "x" in the image becomes infinite small distance as I thought before.
 
Given you accept the result in calculus of several variables (as given in the wikipedia page linked by strangerep), here is the explanation, for a smooth manifold of dimension ##d## with metric ##g##. Take a point ##p## in your manifold and take a chart ##(\mathcal{U},x)##, such that ##x(p)=0##, i.e. we set the coordinates of point ##p## in this chart, to be the zero vector in ##\mathbb{R}^d##.

Then the components of the metric in that chart, denoted by ##g_{ij}## are just mappings from ##x(\mathcal{U})## to ##\mathbb{R}##, i.e. they are functions of several variables. Note that ##x(\mathcal{U})## is a subset of ##\mathbb{R}^d##, which contains zero, so you can apply the formula from wikipedia, by setting ##a=0##. Just use contravariant indices for the coordinates, Einstein summation convention and note that to evaluate at ##p## means essentially to evaluate at ##0## in this chart.
 

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