Contravariant is a mathematical term with a precise definition in tensor analysis. It specifies precisely the method used to derive the components by projecting the magnitude of the tensor quantity onto the coordinate system being used. Another method is used to derive covariant tensor components. When performing tensor transformations it is critical that the method used to map to the coordinate systems in use be tracked so that operations may be applied correctly for accurate meaningful results.
In 2 dimensions, for an oblique rectilinear coordinate system, contravariant coordinates of a directed line segment (in two dimensions this is termed a vector) are established by placing the origin of the coordinate axis at the tail of the vector. Parallel lines are placed through the head of the vector. The intersection of the line parallel to the x1 axis with the x2 axis provides the x2 coordinate. Similarly, the intersection of the line parallel to the x2 axis with the x1 axis provides the x1 coordinate.
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Thus, by definition; the oblique, rectilinear, contravariant coordinates of the point P above are summarized as: xi = (x1,x2)
Notice the superscript, this is a standard nomenclature convention for contravariant tensor components and should not be confused with the subscript which is used to designate covariant tensor components.
Using the definition above, the contravariant components of a position vector vi, where i=2, can be defined as the differences between coordinates on the same coordinate axis. Stated in another way, the vector components are the projection onto an axis from the direction parallel to the other axis.
so, since we have placed our origin at the tail of the vector,
v2=( (x1 - 0), (x2 - 0 ) )
v2=(x1, x2)
This result is generalized into n-dimensions. Contravariant is a fundamental concept or property within tensor theory and applies to tensors of all ranks over all manifolds. Since whether tensor components are contravariant or covariant, how they are mixed, and the order of operations all impact the results it is imperative to track for correct application of methods.
