Vectors - Spanning sets

[NewtonianAlch]

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Consider a set of vectors:

S = {v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3}, v_{4}\subset ℝ^{3}

a) Can S be a spanning set for ℝ^{3}? Give reasons for your answer.
b) Will all such sets S be spanning sets? Give a reason for your answer.


3. The attempt at a solution

a) Yes, because a linear combination of these vectors can form any given vector in ℝ^{3}.

b) Yes, don't really know a reason besides something similar to the one above, I can't see why not.

I'm not really sure of these answers, can anyone confirm this, or given any insight to understand this better?

Cheers

[HallsofIvy]

What about, {(1, 1, 0), (1, 2, 0), (3, 1, 0)}?

[NewtonianAlch]

Well I guess since the 3rd elements are zero, you can't form a vector in ℝ^{3} which has a non-zero 3rd element.

So part b is definitely a no. However part a "can" be since they haven't explicitly defined the vectors, so it's possible given that zero/non-zero condition, is that the only reason?

[HallsofIvy]

In general, a set with fewer than n vectors cannot span a vector space of dimenson n but a set with n or more vectors may. A set with more than n vectors cannot be independent but a set with n or fewer may. Only with sets with exactly n vectors is it possible to both span and be independent (a basis).