Finding a basis for a particular subspace with Dot Product restrictions

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on finding the basis of a subspace in R4 defined by vectors perpendicular to [1, -2, 0, 3] and [0, 2, 1, 3]. The teacher's solution yields the subspace as { t[-1,-1/2,1,0] + s[-6,-3/2,0,1]|t,s are in R}, while the user proposes an alternative representation as span{[2,1,-2,0],[-3,0,-3,1]}. The user initially believes their solution is incorrect, but it is confirmed that both representations are valid and equivalent, as demonstrated by the linear combination of the teacher's basis using specific values for t and s.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of vector spaces and subspaces in R4
  • Familiarity with the dot product and its geometric interpretation
  • Knowledge of solving systems of linear equations
  • Ability to work with linear combinations and spans of vectors
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of orthogonal vectors in vector spaces
  • Learn about the Gram-Schmidt process for orthogonalization
  • Explore the concept of basis and dimension in linear algebra
  • Investigate the relationship between different representations of vector subspaces
USEFUL FOR

Students studying linear algebra, educators teaching vector spaces, and anyone interested in understanding the geometric interpretation of dot products and subspace bases.

alingy1
Messages
325
Reaction score
0
Find the basis of the subspace of R4 that consists of all vectors perpendicular to both [1, -2, 0, 3] and [0,2,1,3].

My teacher applies dot product: Let [w,x,y,z] be the vectors in the subspace. Then,

w-2x+3z=0 and 2x+y+3z=0

So, she solves the system and get the following:

Subspace= { t[-1,-1/2,1,0] + s[-6,-3/2,0,1]|t,s are in R}.

But, I do the following:

I isolate w and y: w=2x-3z and y=-2x-3z.

I replace them : Supspace= { [2x-3z,x,-2x-3z,z]|x,z are in R} = span{[2,1,-2,0],[-3,0,-3,1]}.

I set up a system of linear equation to see if [-3,0,-3,1] is a linear combination of the vectors in my teacher's answer. However, it is not.

What am I doing wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
It is a linear combination of the teacher's answer.
You did not do anything wrong with your solution.
Let t=-3, s=1.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Replies
4
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K