# How to show the differential form $\nu$ satisfies $\nu(v_1, \ldots, v_n)=\det(a_{ij})$?

In $\mathbb R^n$ consider the differential form $\nu$ satisfying $\nu(e_1, \ldots, e_n)=1$. For every $i=1, \ldots, n$ consider the vector $\displaystyle v_i=\sum_{j=1}^n a_{ij} e_j$. How to show $\nu(v_1, \ldots, v_n)=\det(a_{ij})$? I can see it is true, but I can't argue why that is true..

I guess I should use the relation $$f^*\omega=\det(df)dx_1\wedge \ldots \wedge dx_n,$$ where $f:\mathbb R^n\longrightarrow \mathbb R^n$, $f=(f_1, \ldots, f_n)$, $y_i=f(x_1, \ldots, x_n)$ and $\omega=dy_1\wedge \ldots \wedge dy_n$. Using this, given $v_i=\sum_{j=1}^n a_{ij} e_j$, I defined $f:\mathbb R^n\longrightarrow \mathbb R^n$, $f=(f_1, \ldots, f_n)$, setting $$f_i(x_1, \ldots, x_n)=\sum_{j=1}^n a_{ij} x_j.$$

Then $\partial_j f_i=a_{ij}$ hence $$(f^*\omega)(e_1, \ldots, e_n)=\det(a_{ij})dx_1\wedge \ldots \wedge dx_n(e_1, \ldots, e_n)=\det(a_{ij}).$$ So the problem amounts showing $(f^*\omega)(e_1, \ldots, e_n)=\nu(v_1, \ldots, v_n)$, but still I can't do that.

Can anyone give me some hint?

Obs:

(i) I still don't know $\displaystyle\det(a_{ij})=\sum_{\sigma} \textrm{sign}(\sigma) a_{1\sigma(1)}\cdots a_{n\sigma(n)}$.

(ii) $(f^*\omega)(v_1, \ldots, v_n)=\omega(df(v_1), \ldots, df(v_n))$ (in simplified notation, i.e., ommiting the point the form came from).

• 1) What is the definition of $f^\ast \omega$? 2) What is the relation between the $v_j$ and the $e_k$? – Branimir Ćaćić Apr 6 '14 at 5:55
• A added the definition of $f^*\omega$ and the relation between $v_j$ and $e_k$ is $v_i=\sum_{j=1}^n a_{ij} e_j$. – PtF Apr 6 '14 at 11:19
• So, $(f^\ast\omega)(e_1,\dotsc,e_n) = \omega(df(e_1),\dotsc,df(e_n))$. Given that $f$ is a linear transformation, what is $df$? – Branimir Ćaćić Apr 6 '14 at 17:32
• df is the Jacobian of $f$. I did this calculation and $\omega(df(e_1), \ldots, df(e_n))=\det(a_{ij})$. I'm starting to believe there is no direct way to show $(f^*\omega)(e_1, \ldots, e_n)=\nu(v_1, \ldots, v_n)$. – PtF Apr 6 '14 at 19:26
• Of course there is. What is $df$ if $f$ is a linear transformation (and why?), and what, therefore, is $df(e_k)$? – Branimir Ćaćić Apr 6 '14 at 20:41