MHB Kernel of Linear Map: Show $\ker \phi$ Equation

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving the equation for the kernel of a linear map $\phi: V \rightarrow W$, specifically that $$\ker \phi =\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$$ where $V = \mathbb{R}^n$ and $W = \mathbb{R}^m$. Participants confirm the correctness of the derivation, emphasizing that the condition $(\lambda_1, \ldots, \lambda_n)^T \in \mathbf{L}$ is essential for $v$ to belong to the kernel. The definition of $\mathbf{L}$ is clarified as the set of linear combinations yielding zero. The conclusion is that the kernel is characterized by the linear combinations of the basis vectors of $V$ that map to zero in $W.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear maps and their properties.
  • Familiarity with vector spaces, specifically $\mathbb{R}^n$ and $\mathbb{R}^m$.
  • Knowledge of basis vectors and linear combinations.
  • Concept of the kernel of a linear transformation.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of linear transformations in detail.
  • Learn about the rank-nullity theorem in linear algebra.
  • Explore the implications of the kernel in the context of linear independence.
  • Investigate applications of linear maps in different fields such as computer graphics or machine learning.
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying linear algebra, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to linear maps and their kernels.

mathmari
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Hey! :o

Let $1\leq n,m\in \mathbb{N}$, $V:=\mathbb{R}^n$ and $(b_1, \ldots , b_n)$ a basis of $V$. Let $W:=\mathbb{R}^m$ and let $\phi:V\rightarrow W$ be a linear map.
Show that $$\ker \phi =\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$$

I have done the following:

Let $v\in V$. Since $(b_1, \ldots , b_n)$ is a basis of $V$, we have that $\displaystyle{v=\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i}$.

Then we have that $$v\in \ker \phi \iff \phi (v)=0_W \iff \phi \left (\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\right )=0_W \iff \sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_i\phi (b_i)=0_W$$

Is this correct so far? (Wondering)
 
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mathmari said:
Is this correct so far?

Hey mathmari!

Yep. Correct. (Nod)

Btw, what is $\mathbf L$? (Wondering)
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yep. Correct. (Nod)

Btw, what is $\mathbf L$? (Wondering)

The definition is: $$\mathbf L=\left \{(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_k)^T\in \mathbb{R}^k\mid \sum_{i=1}^k\lambda_iv_i=0\right \}$$

So we get $$v\in \ker \phi \iff \phi (v)=0_W \iff \phi \left (\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\right )=0_W \iff \sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_i\phi (b_i)=0_W\iff (\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$$

But to get the desired result it has to be $v=(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T$, or not? So did we have to take at the beginning this assumption? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
The definition is: $$\mathbf L=\left \{(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_k)^T\in \mathbb{R}^k\mid \sum_{i=1}^k\lambda_iv_i=0\right \}$$

So we get $$v\in \ker \phi \iff \phi (v)=0_W \iff \phi \left (\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\right )=0_W \iff \sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_i\phi (b_i)=0_W\iff (\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$$

Yep. (Nod)

mathmari said:
But to get the desired result it has to be $v=(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T$, or not? So did we have to take at the beginning this assumption?

No. $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T$ is not an element of $V$, is it? And it shouldn't be. (Shake)
It's not an element of the kernel either.
Don't we already have the desired result? (Wondering)
What do you think is missing?
 
Klaas van Aarsen said:
Yep. (Nod)
No. $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T$ is not an element of $V$, is it? And it shouldn't be. (Shake)
It's not an element of the kernel either.
Don't we already have the desired result? (Wondering)
What do you think is missing?

Ohh now I think I got it. I thought we have to show that $v\in \ker \phi \iff v\in L$, but $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$ is just the condition that $v$ is in $\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$, right? (Wondering)

So from $$v\in \ker \phi \iff \phi (v)=0_W \iff \phi \left (\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\right )=0_W \iff \sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_i\phi (b_i)=0_W\iff (\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$$ we have that $v=\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i$ is in the kernel iff $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$ which means that $v=\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i$ is contained in $\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$.

Is this correct? (Wondering)
 
mathmari said:
Ohh now I think I got it. I thought we have to show that $v\in \ker \phi \iff v\in L$, but $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$ is just the condition that $v$ is in $\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$, right?

So from $$v\in \ker \phi \iff \phi (v)=0_W \iff \phi \left (\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\right )=0_W \iff \sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_i\phi (b_i)=0_W\iff (\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$$ we have that $v=\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i$ is in the kernel iff $(\lambda_1, \ldots , \lambda_n)^T\in \mathbf L$ which means that $v=\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i$ is contained in $\left \{\sum_{i=1}^n\lambda_ib_i\mid \begin{pmatrix}\lambda_1\\ \vdots \\ \lambda_n\end{pmatrix}\in \textbf{L}(\phi (b_1), \ldots , \phi (b_n))\right \}$.

Is this correct?

Yep. All correct. (Nod)
 
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