Definition of Image of a linear transformation

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SUMMARY

The image of a linear transformation is defined as the column space of the associated matrix, specifically the set of vectors in the codomain that are mapped from the domain. For a transformation T: V → W, the image Im(T) consists of all vectors y in W such that there exists a vector x in V with T(x) = y. This definition clarifies that the image is a subset of W, not V, and may not encompass all vectors in either subspace.

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Homework Statement


The image of a linear transformation = columnspace of the matrix associated to the linear transformation.
More specifically though, given the transformation from Rn to Rm: from subspace X to subspace Y, the image of a linear transformation is equal to the set of vectors in X that are mapped to Y. This may or may not be equal to the all of the vectors in subspace X and subspace Y.

I was going to say, the Im(T) = all of the vectors in X that are mapped to Y, but the definition sounds a bit 'muddier', but I'm not entirely sure. Hence my post.

I usually draw a picture like this: http://thejuniverse.org/PUBLIC/LinearAlgebra/MATH-232/Unit.8/Presentation.1/Section7B/image.png to go with my definition, but I wanted to check.

I saw a reference book that said 'the image of a linear transformation f : V → W is the set of vectors the linear transformation maps to.'

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 
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The image of a linear transformation ##T## defined by ##T:V\rightarrow W## is the set of all vectors which are the result of the linear map ##T## applied on any vector in ##V##. Which means ##\textrm{Im}(T)## is a subset of ##W##, not of ##V##. In this sense, the last definition:
says said:
I saw a reference book that said 'the image of a linear transformation f : V → W is the set of vectors the linear transformation maps to.'
is the correct one.
 
says said:

Homework Statement


The image of a linear transformation = columnspace of the matrix associated to the linear transformation.
More specifically though, given the transformation from Rn to Rm: from subspace X to subspace Y, the image of a linear transformation is equal to the set of vectors in X that are mapped to Y.
No! The "image of a linear transformation" is set of vectors in Y such that some vector in X is mapped to it. Taking the linear transformation to be "T", the image is "all y in Y such that there exist x in X such that Tx= y."

This may or may not be equal to the all of the vectors in subspace X and subspace Y.
The image is a subset (actually subspace) of Y, not X. It may or may not be all of Y.

I was going to say, the Im(T) = all of the vectors in X that are mapped to Y, but the definition sounds a bit 'muddier', but I'm not entirely sure. Hence my post.
Again, no, no, no! Im(T) = all vectors in Y that vectors in X are mapped to it.

I usually draw a picture like this

The pink area in your picture is the image.

I saw a reference book that said 'the image of a linear transformation f : V → W is the set of vectors the linear transformation maps to.'
Yes, that is correct, NOT what you said!
2. Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

 

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