# Linear Algebra Polynomial Vector Space

1. Jun 9, 2010

### Snippy

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Use the subspace theorem to decide which of the following are real vector spaces with the usual operations.

a) The set of all real polynomials of any degree.
b) The set of real polynomials of degree $$\leq n$$
c) The set of real polynomails of degree exactly n.

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

I know how to do b) since the equation for the set of real polynomials of degree $$\leq n$$ is:
Pn = {a0 + a1x + a2x2 + ... + anx2 | a0, a1, .... , an $$\in$$ R }

And I can prove that it is closed under addition and scalar multiplication.

But I am not sure what the difference between the equation for b) (at most n) and a) (any n) and c) (= n) is.

Also I know b) is a real vector space but I would've thought that meant c) was too since b) includes degree = n. But the answers say a) is b) is but c isn't.
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

2. Jun 9, 2010

### lanedance

you need to check through all the axioms systematically... for c) is there an identity element? and is it closed?

Last edited: Jun 9, 2010
3. Jun 9, 2010

### lanedance

to see the difference between a) & b) consider the size of a basis set

4. Jun 9, 2010

5. Jun 9, 2010

### Snippy

My problem is I don't know what the difference between the equations for the 3 different problems is in order to check the axioms.

6. Jun 9, 2010

### lanedance

ok so i would read it a polynomial of degree n, is any polynomial given by $P_n = {a_0 + a_1x + a_2x^2 + ... + a_nx^2 | a_0, a_1, .... , a_n \in R}$, when a_n is non-zero.

so
a) contains every Pm, for m = 0 to infinity
b) contains every Pm, for m = 0 to n
c) contains every Pm with m = n

though you also need to assume they contain 0... ie. in the n = 0 case, a_0 can be zero

Last edited: Jun 9, 2010
7. Jun 9, 2010

### lanedance

as some examples
$x^3 + 1$ is a polynomial of degree 3
$2$ is a polynomial of degree 0
and so on

8. Jun 9, 2010

### vela

Staff Emeritus
You have to consider n to be fixed. Say n=3 for example. Then x4 is an element of a) but is not an element of b) or c); x3 is an all of them; and x2 is an element of a) and b) but not of c). Do you see why?