Invariant subspace and linear transformation

[td21]

Homework Statement

Let U be a subspace of V. Suppose that U is a invariant subspace of V for every linear
transformation from V to V. Show that U=V.

Homework Equations

no

The Attempt at a Solution

Assume U is not trivial: Now we only need to show that U = V. Let dimV = n: We can choose
a nonzero vector u in U and then extend u to a basis u1,u2,u3,...u{n-1} for V.
There is a linear map k such that
k(u) = u1;
k(u1) = u2;
k(u2) = u3;
...
k(u{n-1})=u
As U is invariant, u1 also in U,then as k(u1)=u2,u2 also in U,.....then u{n-1} also in U.

On the other hand, as u1,u2,u3,...u{n-1} is a basis for V, we have
span(u1,u2,u3,...u{n-1}) = V:
So it follows that U = V.

The difficulty is proving k is a linear transformation, and if it is, is the argument above correct? Thanks!

 

[lanedance]

Sounds reasonable to me, Apply k to two arbitrary vectors in V and linearity should follow