Linear combination and orthogonality

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on proving that a non-zero linear combination of two linearly independent vectors, u and v, in ℝ3 can be orthogonal to a third vector w. Participants clarify that the claim holds true, with the example of the linear combination c*u - c*v = (0, -c, 0) demonstrating orthogonality to w = (5, 0, 1). The importance of linear independence is emphasized, as it is crucial for the validity of the claim. Misunderstandings regarding the vectors involved are addressed, reinforcing the correctness of the original assertion.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of linear combinations in vector spaces
  • Knowledge of orthogonality and dot products
  • Familiarity with linear independence of vectors
  • Basic concepts of vector spaces in ℝ3
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of linear combinations in vector spaces
  • Learn about orthogonal projections and their applications
  • Explore the concept of basis and dimension in ℝ3
  • Investigate the Gram-Schmidt process for orthogonalization
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Mathematicians, physics students, and anyone studying linear algebra who seeks to understand the relationships between vectors in multi-dimensional spaces.

ThomMathz
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Given the non-zero vectors u, v and w in ℝ3
Show that there is a non-zero linear combination of u and v that is orthogonal to w.
u and v must be linearly independent.

I am not really sure at all. But I have done this:
This is a screenshot of what I have done. basically, I assumed in the end that u and v are not orthogonal, and then I chose some suitable substitution for u and v, and ended up with zero when dotting them with w. Evverything is much appreciated and especially if you have another solution that is better or correct, because I think mine is not that good though.

https://gyazo.com/707e7c168a1c1a15166fd71be4ae7a81
 
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I'm pretty sure the claim is not correct. Consider the vectors
u=(5,0,0)
v=(5,1,0)
z=(5,0,1)

The set is linearly independent, but there is no linear combination of u and v that is orthogonal to w.
 
andrewkirk said:
I'm pretty sure the claim is not correct. Consider the vectors
u=(5,0,0)
v=(5,1,0)
z=(5,0,1)

The set is linearly independent, but there is no linear combination of u and v that is orthogonal to w.

If by z you mean w, then the statement above is false: the linear combination c*u-c*v = (0,-c,0) is orthogonal to w = (5,0,1).

The result is true, but I will not look at the OP's screenshot (only at a typed version).
 

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