Understanding the given transformation - PDE

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the transformation involving polar coordinates and the evaluation of a determinant in the context of partial differential equations (PDEs). Participants explore the mathematical steps leading to the expression ##r^2 \sin θ## and clarify notation related to the symbols used in the equations.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant presents a method for arriving at the expression ##r^2 \sin θ## using a specific line of reasoning involving trigonometric identities and properties of sine and cosine.
  • Another participant questions whether the original inquiry pertains to evaluating a 3 x 3 determinant and provides a general method for doing so, suggesting flexibility in choosing rows or columns.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the use of the symbol ##\phi## versus the Unicode character ∅, with emphasis on proper notation in mathematical expressions.
  • Participants discuss the importance of using the correct symbol for phi and the implications of using the empty set symbol instead, drawing analogies to other mathematical representations.
  • A later reply notes a specific quirk in the ##\LaTeX## implementation regarding the rendering of the empty set symbol and suggests an alternative for representing phi.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no consensus on the initial mathematical approach presented, as participants focus on different aspects of the discussion, including determinant evaluation and notation clarification. Disagreement exists regarding the appropriate symbols to use in mathematical expressions.

Contextual Notes

Participants express uncertainty about the implications of using incorrect symbols and the potential confusion it may cause in mathematical communication. The discussion also highlights the need for clarity in notation when dealing with mathematical expressions.

chwala
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TL;DR
I am going through the notes on pde. I want to be certain that i am getting it right. From my understanding of determinants of 3 by 3 matrices ...my approach is indicated
My interest is on how they arrived at ##r^2 \sin θ##

My approach using the third line, is as follows

##\cos θ[r^2 \cos θ \sin θ \cos^2 ∅ + r^2 \sin θ \cos θ cos^2∅ ] + r\sin θ [r\sin^2 θ \cos^2∅ + r \sin^2 θ \sin^2 ∅]=##

##\cos θ[r^2 \cos θ \sin θ[\cos^2 ∅+ \sin^2 ∅]] + r\sin θ [r\sin^2 θ [cos^2 ∅+ \sin^2 ∅]]=r^2\cos^2θ\sin^2 θ + r^2\sin^2θ\sinθ=##

##r^2\sinθ(cos^2θ+\sin^2θ)=r^2\sin θ##


If correct then we could also use second row but with negative place value i.e ##-\sin θ\sin ∅ [ a-b] + r\cos θ sin ∅[c-d]...## to realize the same.

Cheers.


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Is your question about how to evaluate a 3 x 3 determinant? If so, you can choose to go across any row or down any column. To go across the 2nd row, the determinant is ##(-a_{2, 1})## times its cofactor + ##(+a_{2, 2})## times its cofactor + ##(-a_{2, 3}##) times its cofactor. For each of these terms the cofactor is the 2 x 2 determinant that consists of the entries not in that row and not in that column.
 
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chwala said:
##\cos θ[r^2 \cos θ \sin θ \cos^2 ∅ + r^2 \sin θ \cos θ cos^2∅ ] + r\sin θ [r\sin^2 θ \cos^2∅ + r \sin^2 θ \sin^2 ∅]=##
The symbol ## \phi ## is called "phi" and is entered in ## \LaTeX ## as \phi (##\phi##). The Unicode character ∅ represents the empty set and should not be used as a substitute for ## \phi ##.
 
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My intention was to distinguish phi and theta. Noted though.
 
chwala said:
My intention was to distinguish phi and theta. Noted though.
Maybe, but the way to do this is to use a symbol that represents phi to represent phi, not a symbol that represents the empty set. The fact that sometimes this symbol looks a bit like some representations of phi is irrelevant.

It's like writing the equation for the circumference of a circle as 2🥧r.
 
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Also, due to a quirk of the ## \LaTeX ## implementation, the Unicode character ∅ is translated to the symbol \emptyset which renders as ## \emptyset ##: if you want a character that looks like ∅ you need to use \varnothing: ## \varnothing ##.
 
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