One-form
Encyclopedia
In linear algebra
, a one-form on a vector space
is the same as a linear functional
on the space. The usage of one-form in this context usually distinguishes the one-forms from higher-degree multilinear functionals on the space. For details, see linear functional
.
In differential geometry, a one-form on a differentiable manifold
is a smooth
section
of the cotangent bundle
. Equivalently, a one-form on a manifold M is a smooth mapping of the total space of the tangent bundle
of M to R whose restriction to each fibre is a linear functional on the tangent space. Symbolically,
where αx is linear.
Often one-forms are described locally
, particularly in local coordinates
. In a local coordinate system, a one-form is a linear combination of the differentials
of the coordinates:
where the fi are smooth functions. Note the use of upper numerical indices, not to be confused with powers. From this perspective, a one-form has a covariant transformation law on passing from one coordinate system to another. Thus a one-form is an order 1 covariant tensor field
.
Let
be open
(e.g., an interval
), and consider a differentiable function
, with derivative
f. The differential df of f, at a point
, is defined as a certain linear map of the variable dx. Specifically, 
. (The meaning of the symbol dx is thus revealed: it is simply an argument, or independent variable, of the function df.) Hence the map 
sends each point x to a linear functional df(x,dx). This is the simplest example of a differential (one-)form.
In terms of the de Rham complex, one has an assignment from zero-forms (scalar functions) to one-forms i.e.,
.
Linear algebra
Linear algebra is a branch of mathematics that studies vector spaces, also called linear spaces, along with linear functions that input one vector and output another. Such functions are called linear maps and can be represented by matrices if a basis is given. Thus matrix theory is often...
, a one-form on a vector space
Vector space
A vector space is a mathematical structure formed by a collection of vectors: objects that may be added together and multiplied by numbers, called scalars in this context. Scalars are often taken to be real numbers, but one may also consider vector spaces with scalar multiplication by complex...
is the same as a linear functional
Linear functional
In linear algebra, a linear functional or linear form is a linear map from a vector space to its field of scalars. In Rn, if vectors are represented as column vectors, then linear functionals are represented as row vectors, and their action on vectors is given by the dot product, or the...
on the space. The usage of one-form in this context usually distinguishes the one-forms from higher-degree multilinear functionals on the space. For details, see linear functional
Linear functional
In linear algebra, a linear functional or linear form is a linear map from a vector space to its field of scalars. In Rn, if vectors are represented as column vectors, then linear functionals are represented as row vectors, and their action on vectors is given by the dot product, or the...
.
In differential geometry, a one-form on a differentiable manifold
Differentiable manifold
A differentiable manifold is a type of manifold that is locally similar enough to a linear space to allow one to do calculus. Any manifold can be described by a collection of charts, also known as an atlas. One may then apply ideas from calculus while working within the individual charts, since...
is a smooth
Smooth function
In mathematical analysis, a differentiability class is a classification of functions according to the properties of their derivatives. Higher order differentiability classes correspond to the existence of more derivatives. Functions that have derivatives of all orders are called smooth.Most of...
section
Section (fiber bundle)
In the mathematical field of topology, a section of a fiber bundle π is a continuous right inverse of the function π...
of the cotangent bundle
Cotangent bundle
In mathematics, especially differential geometry, the cotangent bundle of a smooth manifold is the vector bundle of all the cotangent spaces at every point in the manifold...
. Equivalently, a one-form on a manifold M is a smooth mapping of the total space of the tangent bundle
Tangent bundle
In differential geometry, the tangent bundle of a differentiable manifold M is the disjoint unionThe disjoint union assures that for any two points x1 and x2 of manifold M the tangent spaces T1 and T2 have no common vector...
of M to R whose restriction to each fibre is a linear functional on the tangent space. Symbolically,
where αx is linear.
Often one-forms are described locally
Local property
In mathematics, a phenomenon is sometimes said to occur locally if, roughly speaking, it occurs on sufficiently small or arbitrarily small neighborhoods of points.-Properties of a single space:...
, particularly in local coordinates
Local coordinates
Local coordinates are measurement indices into a local coordinate system or a local coordinate space. A simple example is using house numbers to locate a house on a street; the street is a local coordinate system within a larger system composed of city townships, states, countries, etc.Local...
. In a local coordinate system, a one-form is a linear combination of the differentials
Exterior derivative
In differential geometry, the exterior derivative extends the concept of the differential of a function, which is a 1-form, to differential forms of higher degree. Its current form was invented by Élie Cartan....
of the coordinates:
where the fi are smooth functions. Note the use of upper numerical indices, not to be confused with powers. From this perspective, a one-form has a covariant transformation law on passing from one coordinate system to another. Thus a one-form is an order 1 covariant tensor field
Tensor field
In mathematics, physics and engineering, a tensor field assigns a tensor to each point of a mathematical space . Tensor fields are used in differential geometry, algebraic geometry, general relativity, in the analysis of stress and strain in materials, and in numerous applications in the physical...
.
Examples
Many real-world concepts can be described as one-forms:- Indexing into a vector: The second element of a three-vector is given by the one-form [0, 1, 0]. That is, the second element of [x ,y ,z] is
-
- [0, 1, 0] · [x, y, z] = y.
- MeanMeanIn statistics, mean has two related meanings:* the arithmetic mean .* the expected value of a random variable, which is also called the population mean....
: The mean element of an n-vector is given by the one-form [1/n, 1/n, ..., 1/n]. That is,
- SamplingSampling (signal processing)In signal processing, sampling is the reduction of a continuous signal to a discrete signal. A common example is the conversion of a sound wave to a sequence of samples ....
: Sampling with a kernel can be considered a one-form, where the one-form is the kernel shifted to the appropriate location.
- Net present valueNet present valueIn finance, the net present value or net present worth of a time series of cash flows, both incoming and outgoing, is defined as the sum of the present values of the individual cash flows of the same entity...
of a net cash flowCash flowCash flow is the movement of money into or out of a business, project, or financial product. It is usually measured during a specified, finite period of time. Measurement of cash flow can be used for calculating other parameters that give information on a company's value and situation.Cash flow...
, R(t), is given by the one-form w(t) := (1 + i)−t where i is the discount rateDiscount rateThe discount rate can mean*an interest rate a central bank charges depository institutions that borrow reserves from it, for example for the use of the Federal Reserve's discount window....
. That is,
Differential of a function
Let
be openOpen set
The concept of an open set is fundamental to many areas of mathematics, especially point-set topology and metric topology. Intuitively speaking, a set U is open if any point x in U can be "moved" a small amount in any direction and still be in the set U...
(e.g., an interval
), and consider a differentiable functionFunction (mathematics)
In mathematics, a function associates one quantity, the argument of the function, also known as the input, with another quantity, the value of the function, also known as the output. A function assigns exactly one output to each input. The argument and the value may be real numbers, but they can...
, with derivativeDerivative
In calculus, a branch of mathematics, the derivative is a measure of how a function changes as its input changes. Loosely speaking, a derivative can be thought of as how much one quantity is changing in response to changes in some other quantity; for example, the derivative of the position of a...
f. The differential df of f, at a point
, is defined as a certain linear map of the variable dx. Specifically, . (The meaning of the symbol dx is thus revealed: it is simply an argument, or independent variable, of the function df.) Hence the map sends each point x to a linear functional df(x,dx). This is the simplest example of a differential (one-)form.In terms of the de Rham complex, one has an assignment from zero-forms (scalar functions) to one-forms i.e.,
.See also
- Two-formTwo-formIn linear algebra, a two-form is another term for a bilinear form, typically used in informal discussions, or sometimes to indicate that the bilinear form is skew-symmetric....
- Reciprocal latticeReciprocal latticeIn physics, the reciprocal lattice of a lattice is the lattice in which the Fourier transform of the spatial function of the original lattice is represented. This space is also known as momentum space or less commonly k-space, due to the relationship between the Pontryagin duals momentum and...
- Intermediate treatment of tensors
- Inner product