Inner Product Spaces: Testing on C3

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining whether a specific expression defines an inner product on the complex vector space C3, using given matrices. Participants also explore how to find a basis for the orthogonal complement of a subspace defined by a set of functions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the procedure for testing the inner product definition, questioning whether to use arbitrary values or specific real values for vectors. They also consider the implications of using conjugates in the inner product definition.
  • There are inquiries about applying the Gram-Schmidt process to an indeterminate number of vectors and how to approach finding a basis for the orthogonal complement of a subspace.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on starting with the definition of an inner product and applying it to arbitrary vectors. Others have raised questions about the properties of the inner product and how they relate to the given matrix. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations and approaches being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of an assignment and are seeking clarification on the definitions and procedures relevant to inner product spaces and orthogonal complements.

Hallingrad
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Hey guys,

In one of the questions for our assignment we have to decide whether <v,w> = v^{}TAw (with a conjugate bar over w) defines an inner product on C3. We are given three 3x3 marices to test this. What is the procedure for doing this? Do we just give w and v values such as a1, a2, a3... an, or do we give them real values? If the former, how do we take into account that we are using the conjugate on w's terms?

Also, how does one find a basis for Wperp given that W is a subspace of V spanned by {1, cosx, cos2x,... cosnx}? Do we do gram schmidt on a few of the terms, or just cosnx? Thanks.
 
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Hallingrad said:
Hey guys,

In one of the questions for our assignment we have to decide whether <v,w> = v^{}TAw (with a conjugate bar over w) defines an inner product on C3. We are given three 3x3 marices to test this. What is the procedure for doing this? Do we just give w and v values such as a1, a2, a3... an, or do we give them real values? If the former, how do we take into account that we are using the conjugate on w's terms?
start with the definition of an inner product on a complex space, what must it sastify?

the requirement for the conjugate should become apparent

Hallingrad said:
Also, how does one find a basis for Wperp given that W is a subspace of V spanned by {1, cosx, cos2x,... cosnx}? Do we do gram schmidt on a few of the terms, or just cosnx? Thanks.

the components of Wperp are, by definition, orthogonal to every element of W, so orthogonal to every basis vector of W
 
lanedance said:
start with the definition of an inner product on a complex space, what must it sastify?

the requirement for the conjugate should become apparent

the components of Wperp are, by definition, orthogonal to every element of W, so orthogonal to every basis vector of W

Yeah I know the properties of an inner product. I just don't know what procedure I should use when actually given a matrix with values that multiply two vectors v and w that have unknown values.

But how can I use gram-shmidt on an indeterminate number of vectors (i.e. 1 to n)?
 
Hallingrad said:
Yeah I know the properties of an inner product. I just don't know what procedure I should use when actually given a matrix with values that multiply two vectors v and w that have unknown values.
as its a property of the inner product it needs to be true for every v,w

don't assume anything for the vectors, start with applying it for arbitrary v & w then try and re-arrange things to show RHS = LHS for any v or w

pick a property and i'll help if you want

Hallingrad said:
But how can I use gram-shmidt on an indeterminate number of vectors (i.e. 1 to n)?

whats is V in this question?
gram-schimdt is a process for finding an orthogonal set of vectors from a set of linearly independent vectors - are you given a set of linearly independent vectors spanning V?
 

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