If $A_{ij}$ is rank $2$ tensor, show that $\frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_k}$ is a rank $3$ tensor.

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If $A_{ij}$ is grade $2$ tensor, show that :

$$\frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_k}$$

is a grade 3 tensor.

Solution :

$$\frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_k}= \frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_1} + \frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_2} + \frac{\partial(A_{ij})}{\partial x_3} = A_{ij,k}$$

which has $3$ free pointers, hence it's a grade $3$ tensor.

Is my approach correct and as thorough as it could be ?

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It all has to do with transformation properties. When there is a change in coordinates the tensors are supposed to change in a very particular way.

Suppose there is a change from coordinates $x^j$ to coordinates $(x')^{j}$.

Then a rank 0 tensor field will be a scalar which doesn't change.

$$ \phi' =\phi $$

A rank 1 tensor field transforms in the following way,

$$ (A')^{\mu} = \frac{\partial (x')^{\mu}}{\partial x^\alpha} A^\alpha$$

A rank two tensor field transforms like the product of two rank 1 fields,

$$ (A')^\mu (B')^\nu = \frac{\partial (x')^{\nu}}{\partial x^\beta}\frac{\partial (x')^{\mu}}{\partial x^\alpha} A^\alpha B^\beta$$

$$ (T')^{\mu\nu} = \frac{\partial (x')^{\nu}}{\partial x^\beta}\frac{\partial (x')^{\mu}}{\partial x^\alpha} T^{\alpha\beta}$$

These are the rules for contravariant indices (the raised ones). For covariant indices (sub-scripted indices)the rank 1 tensor transforms slightly differently.

$$ (A')_{\mu} = \frac{\partial x^\alpha}{\partial (x')^{\mu}} A_\alpha$$

You must show that your object transforms as a rank three covariant tensor.