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For an orthonormal triple and distinct $i,j,k$, tracing sectional curvature gives ${\mathrm{Ric}}_{ii}=K_{ij}+K_{ik}$. Solving the three equations gives the displayed formula. Equivalently $K_{ij}={\mathrm{Ric}}_{ii}+{\mathrm{Ric}}_{jj}-\mathrm{Scal}/2$. This pointwise assertion does not require the triple to diagonalize the Ricci curvature.

Geometric splitting theorems give hypotheses under which a manifold decomposes as a metric product. The Cheeger-Gromoll splitting theorem gives a Euclidean line factor for a complete connected Riemannian manifold with nonnegative Ricci curvature containing a globally minimizing geodesic line. Other splitting theorems use different curvature or causal hypotheses.