Tensor algebra

Given a vector space V, it is

T(V)=S⊕V⊕(V⊗V)⊕(V⊗V⊗V)⊕⋯

where S are the scalars. See tensor product.

We can take quotient by the ideal generated by {u⊗u:u∈V} and we obtain the Grassman algebra.

On the other hand, if V is endowed by a nondegenerate bilinear form (−,−) of signature p,q then the Clifford algebra Cℓ(V,g) is the quotient Cℓ(V,g)=T(V)/I(V) of T(V) by the ideal I(V), generated by the elements of the form v⊗u+u⊗v−2g(u,v). This ideal is also generated by u⊗u−2g(u,u). If you take (u+v)⊗(u+v) = u⊗u + u⊗v + v⊗u + v⊗v we have: g(u+v,u+v) = g(u,u)+ u⊗v + v⊗u + g(v,v), and since g(u+v,u+v) = g(u,u) + g(u,v) + g(v,u) + g(v,v), this gives us: u⊗v + v⊗u = g(u,v) + g(v,u) = 2 g(u,v).