How do we find scalar coefficients for a linear combination in linear algebra?

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To express vector u as a linear combination of vectors v and w, the user correctly identifies the form c1(4,3,2,1) + c2(1,1,1,1). The main challenge lies in determining the scalar coefficients c1 and c2. To find these values, one must set up a system of equations based on the components of the vectors involved. The user is advised to solve this system, which consists of four equations with two unknowns. This approach will yield the necessary coefficients for the linear combination.
roam
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Hello!
I have just started studying linear algebra and I got the following question:

We have:
http://img528.imageshack.us/img528/7687/dfdsf1lj3.gif

Expres u as a linear combination of the vectors v and w.







This is my attempt;
(By definition a vector is called a linear combination of v_{1}, v_{2},... v_{k} if it can be expressed in form c_{1}v_{1}, c_{2}v_{2},... c_{k}v_{k} )

So we get: c_{1} (4,3,2,1) + c_{2} (1,1,1,1)

Is this right? Is this all we were required to show?

Thanks you.

 
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You would also need to determine the values of the scalar coefficients.
 
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How do we find the values of the scalar coefficients i.e., c_{1} , c_{2}? Thant's my problem... :confused:

Thanks.
 
roam said:
How do we find the values of the scalar coefficients i.e., c_{1} , c_{2}? Thant's my problem... :confused:

Thanks.
Well, you have two unknowns which must satsify a system of four equations. Solve.
 
Question: A clock's minute hand has length 4 and its hour hand has length 3. What is the distance between the tips at the moment when it is increasing most rapidly?(Putnam Exam Question) Answer: Making assumption that both the hands moves at constant angular velocities, the answer is ## \sqrt{7} .## But don't you think this assumption is somewhat doubtful and wrong?

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