Basis of sum/union of subspaces

[descendency]

Homework Statement

I need to find the basis of W₁ + W₂ and W₁ intersect W₂

(It's part of a larger homework problem that I know how to do, but I am stuck on the trivial step...per usual)

W_1 = \left(\begin{array}{c c} x & -x \\ y & z \end{array}\right)

W_2 = \left(\begin{array}{c c} a & b \\ -a & c \end{array}\right)

Homework Equations

Dim(A) + Dim(B) = Dim(A intersect B) + Dim(A + B)

The Attempt at a Solution

\alpha \in W_1, \alpha = x \left(\begin{array}{c c} 1 & -1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{array}\right) + y \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 & 0 \\ 1 & 0 \end{array}\right) + z \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)

\beta \in W_2, \beta = a \left(\begin{array}{c c} 1 & 0 \\ -1& 0 \end{array}\right) + b \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{array}\right) + c \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{array}\right)

So the dimensions of each subspace of those subspaces is 3.

Obviously, \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 & 0 \\ 0 & 1 \end{array}\right) is in both sets (and thus in the intersection).

I'm having a hard time finding the other vector in the basis.

Is \left(\begin{array}{c c} 1 & -1 \\ -1 & 0 \end{array}\right) in the basis set of vectors of the intersection?

 

[jimmypoopins]

consider W_1+W_2.

you'll get

W_1+W_2 = \left(\begin{array}{c c} x+a & -x+b \\ y-a & z+c \end{array}\right)

what would a basis for that be? and then its dimension?

also, keep in mind the equation you posted, and think about what you said about <br /> \left(\begin{array}{c c} 0 &amp; 0 \\ 0 &amp; 1 \end{array}\right)<br /> being in the intersection.

what exactly does the intersection look like?