Is U + U' a subspace if U and U' are contained in W?

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    Subspaces Sum Union
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether the sum of two subspaces, U and U', contained within a subspace W, is itself a subspace of W. Participants explore the properties of subspaces and the implications of their union and sum.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asserts that the union of two subspaces U and U' is almost never a subspace unless one is contained within the other.
  • Another suggests using the closure properties of a subspace to approach the proof.
  • A participant proposes consulting a teaching assistant for further clarification on the proof.
  • It is noted that if W is a subspace, then the sum of any two elements from W remains in W, raising a question about the relationship between elements from U and U' and their presence in W.
  • One participant offers to share resources from their textbook that may contain the proof in question.
  • A discussion point is raised about the addition of elements from U and U' and how this relates to the definition of the subspace U + U'.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the proof or the properties of U + U'. There are multiple viewpoints and suggestions for approaching the problem, indicating an unresolved discussion.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include potential missing assumptions regarding the definitions of subspaces and the specific conditions under which U and U' are considered. The discussion does not resolve the mathematical steps necessary for the proof.

nsj
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If U, U ′ are subspaces of V , then the union U ∪ U ′ is almost never a subspace (unless one happens to be contained in the other). Prove that, if W is a subspace, and U ∪ U ′ ⊂ W , then U + U ′ ⊂ W .

This seems fairly simple, but I am stuck on how to go about proving it.
 
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use the closure properties of a subspace.
 
or you could ask your TA during office hours, Wildcat
 
if W is a subspace, then for any w1,w2 in W, w1+w2 is also in W.

now, if u is U, and u' is in U', can we say these are in W? why?
 
gimme ur mail id,i will send da pics frm my book...this prove is in my syllabus...
 
you know that adding two things from U is okay, you know that adding two things from U' is okay; what happens when you add something from U and something from U'? We already know that W is supposed to be a subspace. What is the definition of the subspace U + U'?
 

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