Indicial notation - Levi-Cevita and Tensor

In summary, the use of indicial notation allows for an easier approach to solving this equation, which can be rearranged and expanded to show that the terms cancel out and the equation equals zero. Multiplying all terms by $\varepsilon_{ijk}$ leads to the use of kronecker delta rules and a quicker simplification.
  • #1
jasonmcc
10
0
Use indicial notation to show that:
$$
\mathcal{A}_{mi}\varepsilon_{mjk} + \mathcal{A}_{mj}\varepsilon_{imk} + \mathcal{A}_{mk}\varepsilon_{ijm} = \mathcal{A}_{mm}\varepsilon_{ijk}
$$
I'm probably missing an easier way, but my approach is to rearrange and expand on the terms:
$$
\mathcal{A}_{mi}\varepsilon_{mjk} + \mathcal{A}_{mj}\varepsilon_{mki} + \mathcal{A}_{mk}\varepsilon_{mij} = \mathcal{A}_{mm}\varepsilon_{ijk}
$$
Expanding the first term
$$
\mathcal{A}_{mi}\varepsilon_{mjk} = \varepsilon_{1jk}\mathcal{A}_{1i} + \varepsilon_{2jk}\mathcal{A}_{2i} + \varepsilon_{3jk}\mathcal{A}_{3i} =\\

\varepsilon_{123}\mathcal{A}_{11} + \varepsilon_{132}\mathcal{A}_{11} + \varepsilon_{231}\mathcal{A}_{22} + \varepsilon_{213}\mathcal{A}_{22} + \varepsilon_{312}\mathcal{A}_{33} + \varepsilon_{321}\mathcal{A}_{33} = \\

\mathcal{A}_{11} - \mathcal{A}_{11} + \mathcal{A}_{22} - \mathcal{A}_{22} + \mathcal{A}_{33} - \mathcal{A}_{33} = 0
$$
If this were correct I believe the pattern would hold for the other two terms, and the equation would equal zero...
 
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  • #2
there is an easier way, of course, using indicial.
$$
\mathcal{A}_{mi}\varepsilon_{mjk} + \mathcal{A}_{mj}\varepsilon_{imk} + \mathcal{A}_{mj}\varepsilon_{ikm} = \mathcal{A}_{mk}\varepsilon_{ijk}\\
$$
multiplying all by $\varepsilon_{ijk}$ leads to kroniker delta rules, whereupon the expression can be quickly simplified...
 

FAQ: Indicial notation - Levi-Cevita and Tensor

What is indicial notation and how is it used in mathematics?

Indicial notation, also known as Einstein notation, is a system of writing mathematical expressions using indices or subscripts to represent repeated variables. It is commonly used in tensor analysis and vector calculus to simplify and generalize equations.

What is the Levi-Cevita symbol and how does it relate to indicial notation?

The Levi-Cevita symbol, also known as the permutation symbol, is a mathematical symbol used to represent the sign of a permutation of a set of numbers. In indicial notation, the Levi-Cevita symbol is used to represent the components of an antisymmetric tensor, which is a type of tensor that remains unchanged under certain transformations.

What is a tensor and how is it represented using indicial notation?

A tensor is a mathematical object that represents a physical quantity and its directional dependence. In indicial notation, tensors are represented using repeated indices, with each index representing a specific direction or coordinate. For example, a vector can be represented as a tensor with one index, while a matrix can be represented as a tensor with two indices.

How is the dot and cross product of tensors written in indicial notation?

The dot and cross product of tensors in indicial notation are represented using the Einstein summation convention. In this convention, repeated indices are summed over, with the dot product represented by the summation of the product of the corresponding components, and the cross product represented by the antisymmetric Levi-Cevita symbol multiplied by the product of the corresponding components.

What are the advantages of using indicial notation in mathematical expressions?

Indicial notation offers several advantages in mathematical expressions, including simplification of equations by eliminating the need for multiple summations, generalization of equations to higher dimensions, and the ability to easily transform equations using tensor calculus. It also allows for more concise and precise notation in complex mathematical concepts.

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