Understanding the Inverse of Jacobian Matrices: A Brief Overview

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the properties and implications of Jacobian matrices, particularly in the context of transformations between variables. Participants are examining the relationships between partial derivatives and questioning the validity of certain mathematical statements related to the inverse of Jacobians.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the implications of the determinant of Jacobian matrices and questioning the correctness of derived relationships. There are discussions about the chain rule and its application to partial derivatives, with some participants expressing confusion over apparent contradictions in the relationships between variables.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning assumptions. Some have suggested specific forms for the Jacobian matrices and their inverses, while others are analyzing the implications of certain mathematical identities. There is no explicit consensus yet, as various interpretations and approaches are still being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework problem, which may limit the information available for discussion. The nature of the problem involves understanding the relationships between different coordinate systems and their derivatives, which may lead to assumptions that are being critically examined.

parsesnip
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Homework Statement
I want to prove that ##\left| \frac{\partial(x,y)}{\partial(u,v)} \right|=\frac{1}{\left|\frac{\partial(u,v)}{\partial(x,y)}\right|}## (If this is true)
Relevant Equations
##\frac{\partial(x,y)}{\partial(u,v)}=\begin{vmatrix} x_u & x_v\\ y_u&y_v \end {vmatrix}##
##\frac{\partial(u,v)}{\partial(x,y)}=\begin{vmatrix} u_x & u_y\\ v_x&v_y \end {vmatrix}##
I got that ##{x_u}{y_v}-{x_y}{y_u}=####\frac{1}{\frac{1}{{x_u}{y_v}}-\frac{1}{{y_u}{x_v}}}##. But this implies that ##{x_u}{x_v}{y_u}{y_v}=-1## and I don't see how that is true?
 
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Very simple case of u=x, v=y obviously the statement stands. but
[tex]x_u x_v y_u y_v = 1*0*0*1=0[/tex]
So your result seems wrong.

Find 2X2 matrices A, B by partial differentiation
[tex] \begin{pmatrix}<br /> du \\<br /> dv \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> <br /> = A<br /> <br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> dx \\<br /> dy \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]

[tex] \begin{pmatrix}<br /> dx \\<br /> dy \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> <br /> = B<br /> <br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> du \\<br /> dv \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]

So
[tex]AB=BA=E[/tex]
[tex]det\ A\ \ det\ B = 1[/tex]
 
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By the chain rule [tex] 1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}[/tex] and [tex] 0 = \frac{\partial y}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial y}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial y}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}[/tex] and similarly [itex]\frac{\partial y}{\partial y} = 1[/itex] and [itex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial y} = 0[/itex]. Now I suspect that if you expand [tex] 1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x}\frac{\partial y}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial y}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial y}[/tex] and rearrange it then you will obtain your result.
 
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pasmith said:
By the chain rule [tex] 1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}[/tex] and [tex] 0 = \frac{\partial y}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial y}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial y}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x}[/tex] and similarly [itex]\frac{\partial y}{\partial y} = 1[/itex] and [itex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial y} = 0[/itex]. Now I suspect that if you expand [tex] 1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x}\frac{\partial y}{\partial y} - \frac{\partial y}{\partial x}\frac{\partial x}{\partial y}[/tex] and rearrange it then you will obtain your result.
I think I understand. But if ##\frac {\partial x}{\partial u}=\frac{1}{\frac {\partial u}{\partial x}}##, then doesn't ##\frac {\partial x}{\partial u}\frac {\partial u}{\partial x}=1##? Then how do you resolve the contradiction that ##1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x} = 2##?
 
parsesnip said:
I think I understand. But if ##\frac {\partial x}{\partial u}=\frac{1}{\frac {\partial u}{\partial x}}##, then doesn't ##\frac {\partial x}{\partial u}\frac {\partial u}{\partial x}=1##? Then how do you resolve the contradiction that ##1 = \frac{\partial x}{\partial x} = \frac{\partial x}{\partial u}\frac{\partial u}{\partial x} + \frac{\partial x}{\partial v}\frac{\partial v}{\partial x} = 2##?

The relation [tex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial u} = \left(\frac{\partial u}{\partial x}\right)^{-1}[/tex] does not hold in general. For example, with plane polar coordinates we have [tex]\frac{\partial r}{\partial x} = \frac xr[/tex] and [tex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial r} = \cos \theta = \frac xr \neq \frac rx.[/tex]

Rather, if that relation does hold then it implies that [itex]x[/itex] is independent of [itex]v[/itex] so that [itex]\frac{\partial x}{\partial v} = 0[/itex].
 
Further to my post #2

[tex]A=<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> u_x & u_y \\<br /> v_x & v_y \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]
[tex]B=<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> x_u & x_v \\<br /> y_u & y_v \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]
[tex]AB=<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> u_x & u_y \\<br /> v_x & v_y \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> x_u & x_v \\<br /> y_u & y_v \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> =<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> 1 & 0 \\<br /> 0 & 1 \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]

It meets with post #3.

[tex]A=B^{-1}[/tex]
[tex] \begin{pmatrix}<br /> u_x & u_y \\<br /> v_x & v_y \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}<br /> =\frac{1}{x_uy_v-x_vy_u}<br /> \begin{pmatrix}<br /> y_v & -x_v \\<br /> -y_u & x_u \\<br /> \end{pmatrix}[/tex]

For an example (1,1) component says

[tex]u_x=\frac{1}{x_uy_v-x_vy_u}y_v[/tex]

You see in order ##u_x =\frac{1}{x_u}## as you expect, ##x_vy_u=0 ## and ##y_v \neq 0## is required.
 
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