Inertial frames S and S′ in two-dimensional space-time have coordinates (x,t) and (x′,t′), respectively. These coordinates are related by a Lorentz transformation with v the velocity of S′ relative to S. Show that if x±=x±ct and x±′=x′±ct′ then the Lorentz transformation can be expressed in the form
x+′=λ(v)x+ and x−′=λ(−v)x−, where λ(v)=(c+vc−v)1/2.
Deduce that x2−c2t2=x′2−c2t′2.
Use the form (∗) to verify that successive Lorentz transformations with velocities v1 and v2 result in another Lorentz transformation with velocity v3, to be determined in terms of v1 and v2.