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Homework Statement
Assume vectors ##a,b,c\in V_{\mathbb{R}}## to be linearly independent. Determine whether vectors ##a+b , b+c , a+c## are linearly independent.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
We say the vectors are linearly independent when ##k_1a + k_2b +k_3c = 0## only when every ##k_n = 0## - the only solution is a trivial combination.
Does there exist a non-trivial combination such that
##k_1(a+b) + k_2(b+c) + k_3(a+c) = 0##?. Distributing:
##k_1a + k_1b + k_2b + k_2c + k_3a + k_3c = (k_1 + k_3)a + (k_1+k_2)b + (k_2+k_3)c = 0## Since ##a,b,c## are linearly independent, the only way this result can occur is when:
##k_1+k_3 =0\Rightarrow k_1 = -k_3##
##k_1+k_2 =0##
##k_2+k_3 =0##
Substituting eq 1 into eq 2 we arrive at ##k_2 - k_3 = 0## and according to eq 3 ##k_2 + k_3=0##, which means ##k_2 - k_3 = k_2 + k_3##, therefore ##k_3 = 0##, because ##k=-k## only if ##k=0##. The only solution is a trivial combination, therefore the vectors ##a+b, b+c, a+c## are linearly independent.
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