Calculating the Intersection of Subspaces in Vector Spaces

In summary, the intersection of subspaces is the set of all elements shared by two or more subspaces. It can be found by solving a system of linear equations and can be empty if the subspaces do not share any common elements. The dimension of the intersection is always less than or equal to the dimensions of the individual subspaces and is significant in understanding relationships between subspaces and solving systems of linear equations.
  • #1
jimmycricket
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Given two subspaces of the vector space of all polynomials of at most degree 3 what is the general method to calculate the intersection of the two subspaces?
 
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  • #2
What is the general method to calculate the intersection of two subspaces of any vector space? It's not even clear what you mean when you say the word "calculate" - are you looking for a basis? If you have a specific problem or example in mind it would be a lot easier if you tell us what it is.
 

Related to Calculating the Intersection of Subspaces in Vector Spaces

What is the "intersection of subspaces"?

The intersection of subspaces refers to the common elements shared between two or more subspaces. It is the set of all vectors that are present in all of the subspaces.

How is the intersection of subspaces calculated?

The intersection of subspaces can be calculated by finding the common basis vectors between the subspaces. These basis vectors are then used to create a new subspace, which is the intersection of the original subspaces.

What is the significance of the intersection of subspaces?

The intersection of subspaces is significant because it can help determine the relationship between different subspaces. If the intersection is non-empty, it means that the subspaces have at least one common vector, and therefore, they are not completely independent.

Can the intersection of subspaces be empty?

Yes, the intersection of subspaces can be empty if there are no common elements between the subspaces. This means that the subspaces are completely independent of each other.

How is the dimension of the intersection of subspaces related to the dimensions of the original subspaces?

The dimension of the intersection of subspaces is always less than or equal to the dimensions of the original subspaces. This is because the intersection can only contain vectors that are present in all of the subspaces, and therefore, it cannot have a higher dimension than any of the original subspaces.

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