Derivation (differential algebra) explained

In mathematics, a derivation is a function on an algebra that generalizes certain features of the derivative operator. Specifically, given an algebra A over a ring or a field K, a K-derivation is a K-linear map that satisfies Leibniz's law:

D(ab)=aD(b)+D(a)b.

More generally, if M is an A-bimodule, a K-linear map that satisfies the Leibniz law is also called a derivation. The collection of all K-derivations of A to itself is denoted by DerK(A). The collection of K-derivations of A into an A-module M is denoted by .

Derivations occur in many different contexts in diverse areas of mathematics. The partial derivative with respect to a variable is an R-derivation on the algebra of real-valued differentiable functions on Rn. The Lie derivative with respect to a vector field is an R-derivation on the algebra of differentiable functions on a differentiable manifold; more generally it is a derivation on the tensor algebra of a manifold. It follows that the adjoint representation of a Lie algebra is a derivation on that algebra. The Pincherle derivative is an example of a derivation in abstract algebra. If the algebra A is noncommutative, then the commutator with respect to an element of the algebra A defines a linear endomorphism of A to itself, which is a derivation over K. That is,

[FG,N]=[F,N]G+F[G,N],

where

[,N]

is the commutator with respect to

N

. An algebra A equipped with a distinguished derivation d forms a differential algebra, and is itself a significant object of study in areas such as differential Galois theory.

Properties

If A is a K-algebra, for K a ring, and is a K-derivation, then

D(x1x2 … xn)=\sumix1 … xi-1D(xi)xi+1xn

which is \sum_i D(x_i)\prod_x_j if for all, commutes with

x1,x2,\ldots,xi-1

.

Dn(uv)=

n
\sum
k=0

\binom{n}{k}Dn-k(u)Dk(v).

Moreover, if M is an A-bimodule, write

\operatorname{Der}K(A,M)

for the set of K-derivations from A to M.

[D1,D2]=D1\circD2-D2\circD1.

since it is readily verified that the commutator of two derivations is again a derivation.

D:A\stackrel{d}{\longrightarrow}\OmegaA/K\stackrel{\varphi}{\longrightarrow}M

The correspondence

D\leftrightarrow\varphi

is an isomorphism of A-modules:

\operatorname{Der}K(A,M)\simeq\operatorname{Hom}A(\OmegaA/K,M)

\operatorname{Der}K(A,M)\subset\operatorname{Der}k(A,M),

since any K-derivation is a fortiori a k-derivation.

Graded derivations

Given a graded algebra A and a homogeneous linear map D of grade on A, D is a homogeneous derivation if

{D(ab)=D(a)b+\varepsilon|a||D|aD(b)}

for every homogeneous element a and every element b of A for a commutator factor . A graded derivation is sum of homogeneous derivations with the same ε.

If, this definition reduces to the usual case. If, however, then

{D(ab)=D(a)b+(-1)|a|aD(b)}

for odd, and D is called an anti-derivation.

Examples of anti-derivations include the exterior derivative and the interior product acting on differential forms.

Graded derivations of superalgebras (i.e. Z2-graded algebras) are often called superderivations.

Related notions

Hasse–Schmidt derivations are K-algebra homomorphisms

A\toA[[t]].

\sumantn

to the coefficient

a1

gives a derivation.

See also

References