Commutator [A^n,B] = ? | Prove [AnB] = nAn-1[A,B] for n | Integrer | [A,B]=AB-BA

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In summary, to prove that [AnB] =nAn-1[A,B], use the Principle of Mathematical Induction and the commutator rule. You will also need to prove that [A^n,[A,B]] = 0 for all n in the set of natural numbers. Instead of trying to differentiate, follow the advice to start with a simple case like n=2.
  • #1
helpcometk
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Homework Statement



Prove that [AnB] =nAn-1[A,B] for integrer n , assume [A,[A,B]]=0=[B,[A,B]]

Homework Equations


[A,B]=AB-BA


The Attempt at a Solution


Does anyone know how i should go to manipulate the exponent n ? I have tried to search but found nothing about a commutator like this properties.
 
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  • #2
Use the Principle of Mathematic induction and the commutator rule:
[tex]
\left[ A \, C, B \right] = A \, \left[ C, B \right] + \left[A, B \right] \, C
[/tex]
 
  • #3
you can play as long as you ant with this formula ,but you will never be able to get what is asked except if you differentiate somehow ,becsuse you need have one n ,that is not exponent of A or B
 
  • #4
You will also need to prove as an intermediate step that:
[tex]
\left(\forall n \in \mathbb{N} \right) \left[ A^{n}, \left[ A, B \right] \right] = 0
[/tex]
For this, use the principle of mathematical induction again and what you are given in the problem.
 
  • #5
helpcometk said:
you can play as long as you ant with this formula ,but you will never be able to get what is asked except if you differentiate somehow ,becsuse you need have one n ,that is not exponent of A or B

By this logic, the only way to get [itex]3x^2[/itex] from [itex]x^3[/itex] is to differentiate. Does that really seem like a reasonable thing to claim? (What happens if you multiply [itex]x^3[/itex] by [itex]\frac{3}{x}[/itex], for example?

Instead of differentiating your commutator somehow (Have you even defined how to differentiate an operator? Are your operators differentiable?), I suggest you follow DickFore's advice and use a proof by induction. I'd start by looking at a fairly simple case like [itex]n=2[/itex].
 

FAQ: Commutator [A^n,B] = ? | Prove [AnB] = nAn-1[A,B] for n | Integrer | [A,B]=AB-BA

1. What is the definition of "Commutator [A^n,B] = ?"

The commutator [A^n,B] is a mathematical operation that is used to measure the extent to which two operators, A and B, do not commute. It is defined as [A^n,B] = A^nB - BA^n.

2. What does the commutator [A^n,B] tell us about the operators A and B?

The commutator [A^n,B] provides information about how the operators A and B interact with each other. If the commutator is equal to zero, it means that the operators commute and can be applied in any order. If the commutator is non-zero, it indicates that the operators do not commute and the order of application matters.

3. Is the commutator [A^n,B] always equal to zero?

No, the commutator [A^n,B] is not always equal to zero. It only equals zero if the operators A and B commute, which is not always the case. In general, the commutator will have a non-zero value.

4. What is the physical significance of the commutator [A^n,B]?

The commutator [A^n,B] has important physical significance in quantum mechanics. It is used to determine whether two physical quantities, represented by the operators A and B, can be measured simultaneously or not. If the commutator is equal to zero, the quantities can be measured simultaneously, but if it is non-zero, they cannot be measured simultaneously.

5. How is the commutator [A^n,B] calculated?

The commutator [A^n,B] is calculated by multiplying the operators A^n and B in one direction and then multiplying B and A^n in the opposite direction. The two results are then subtracted from each other to obtain the commutator value. This can be represented mathematically as [A^n,B] = A^nB - BA^n.

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