Linear Subspace with Neutral Element in Brazilian Portuguese and Spanish

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of a linear subspace defined by the set W = {f(t) | f(0) = 2f(1)}. Participants are exploring the properties of this subspace, particularly the existence of a neutral element (zero vector) within the context of vector spaces of functions, and the implications of this definition in different superspaces.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question how to prove the existence of a neutral element in the subspace W.
  • There is uncertainty about what the zero vector (neutral element) is in this context, with suggestions that it may be a constant function.
  • Participants discuss the implications of defining the subspace W within different vector spaces, such as the space of continuous functions or real-valued functions defined at specific points.
  • Some argue that the properties of closure under scalar multiplication and vector addition must be satisfied to confirm W as a subspace.
  • Clarifications are made regarding the notation used, with some participants noting the potential for confusion due to language differences (Spanish and Portuguese).
  • There is a suggestion that the question may be trivial once the underlying concepts are understood, emphasizing the importance of comprehension over mere answers.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express varying levels of understanding and agreement on the properties of the subspace W. While some agree on the need to establish the zero function and the closure properties, others highlight the ambiguity in the original question and the definitions involved. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact nature of the neutral element and the implications of different superspaces.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of clarity in the original question, potential misunderstandings due to language differences, and the need for more specific definitions of the vector space in question.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and practitioners in linear algebra, particularly those interested in the properties of vector spaces and subspaces, as well as those navigating language barriers in mathematical notation.

LCSphysicist
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W = {f(t) | f(0) = 2f(1)}
The answer say yes, but i don't know how to prove the neutral element.
 
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LCSphysicist said:
W = {f(t) | f(0) = 2f(1)}
The answer say yes, but i don't know how to prove the neutral element.
What would be the zero?
 
fresh_42 said:
What would be the zero?
i have no idea :|, the answer is literally "yes", just it.
 
You mention the word subspace. Of what vector space is this a subspace? What is the zero in the larger vector space? Can you conclude something about the zero of the subspace as well?
 
LCSphysicist said:
i have no idea :|, the answer is literally "yes", just it.
What does ##f(t)## stand for? A certain number at a point ##t##, or what does it mean?
 
fresh_42 said:
What does ##f(t)## stand for? A certain number at a point ##t##, or what does it mean?

My guess is that it is the usual abuse of notation.
 
Math_QED said:
My guess is that it is the usual abuse of notation.
I know. I just want to get the OP think about it. The question is trivial once it is understood, so it is all about understanding, not answering.
 
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Oh i forgot, subspace of the P(R) space of the real polynomials. You know:
The conjunt of reals Polynomials n deegre or smaller more the nule polynomial.
Yes, indeed is a trivial question, actually it's in a book introductory to linear algebra, but i still don't understand how to prove this item.
 
LCSphysicist said:
Oh i forgot, subspace of the P(R) space of the real polynomials. You know:
The conjunt of reals Polynomials n deegre or smaller more the nule polynomial.
Yes, indeed is a trivial question, actually it's in a book introductory to linear algebra, but i still don't understand how to prove this item.
In order to prove this property, you only have to show that zero is in that space. Now what is zero in this context?

Another property is to show that if ##f(t) \in W## and ##\lambda \in \mathbb{R}##, then ##\lambda \cdot f(t)## must be in ##W##. If you had shown this, then what if ##\lambda =0##?
 
  • #10
LCSphysicist said:
The conjunt of reals Polynomials n deegre or smaller more the nule polynomial.
What's a conjunt? What does nule mean? I'm trying to figure out what that sentence was intended to mean.
 
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  • #11
vela said:
What's a conjunt? What does nule mean? I'm trying to figure out what that sentence was intended to mean.
I assume the OP may be a native Spanish spraker. "Conjunto" is Spanish for "Set" and "Nulo" is Spanish for null. And for others, I assume, per abuse of notation, f(t) is a function. I assume the 0 vector here would be the 0 function/polynomial.
 
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  • #12
Ah, now it makes more sense.
 
  • #13
Yes, the first mistake was not including this in the original post: ##\{f(t)\in ? | f(0) = 2f(1)\} ##. Given that, the properties of a subspace are inherited from the superspace. You can easily list the required properties one-by-one saying that each one is satisfied. The only thing left is to show that the subspace is closed under the operations of addition and of multiplication by a real.
 
  • #14
It's always helpful to say what space you are dealing with. If it's a vector space V that contains the functions f in the expression

{f(t) | f(0) = 2f(1)}

then this should be written

{f ∈ V | f(0) = 2f(1)}

and V ought to be defined in terms of what functions it contains (domain, codomain, properties) and what is the field F of scalars (the reals or the complexes).

(Note that I rewrote your "f(t)" as just "f", because f means the function itself that is a vector in V, but f(t) means the value of that function after it has been evaluated at some input t.)

But to decide whether your set is a subspace of V, the things to check is whether a) the sum f + g of two vectors f and g in your set also belongs to the set, and b) whether the product αf of an f in your set by a scalar α ∈ F is also in your set.
 
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  • #15
LCSphysicist said:
W = {f(t) | f(0) = 2f(1)}
The answer say yes, but i don't know how to prove the neutral element.

If you are dealing with a vector space whose elements are functions, the zero vector ( neutral element) must be a function. What function is it?

Perhaps you aren't remembering that there can be constant functions. For example, the function f(x) = 3 is a constant function. It is a function even though its value isn't different for different values of x.
 
  • #16
Question: Would the nature of the answer change if the superspace of ##W## were instead just the space of continuous functions, or maybe just another vector space consisting of real-valued functions defined at ##x=0## and ##x=1##?
 
  • #17
Eclair_de_XII said:
Question: Would the nature of the answer change if the superspace of ##W## were instead just the space of continuous functions, or maybe just another vector space consisting of real-valued functions defined at ##x=0## and ##x=1##?

No. As long as the superspaces have the same "operations".
 
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  • #18
A subspace of a vector space has two properties:
It is "closed under scalar multiplication" and "closed under vector addition".

Here the subset is the set of all functions, f, such that f(0)= 2f(1).

"Closed under scalar multiplication". If a is any number then does af satisfy af(0)= 2af(1)?

"Closed under vector addition". If f satisfies f(0)= 2f(`1) and g satisfies g(0)= 2g(1) does f+ g satisfy f(0)+ g(0)= 2(f(1)+ g(1))?
 
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  • #19
The problem in this question is, actually, it say more nothing, just it. So we can't give a answer with just this informations, right?
WWGD said:
I assume the OP may be a native Spanish spraker. "Conjunto" is Spanish for "Set" and "Nulo" is Spanish for null. And for others, I assume, per abuse of notation, f(t) is a function. I assume the 0 vector here would be the 0 function/polynomial.

Voce acertou, mas eu sou brasileiro XD
You're right, but i am brazillian XD

sorry by my "portuenglish"
 
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  • #20
No, it is very easy to answer the questions I asked before and that is sufficient to answer the question.
 
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  • #21
WWGD said:
I assume the OP may be a native Spanish spraker. "Conjunto" is Spanish for "Set" and "Nulo" is Spanish for null. And for others, I assume, per abuse of notation, f(t) is a function. I assume the 0 vector here would be the 0 function/polynomial.
Yes. I also speak Spanish and this is true.
 
  • #22
MidgetDwarf said:
Yes. I also speak Spanish and this is true.
But read above where he said he's Brazilian.
 
  • #23
WWGD said:
But read above where he said he's Brazilian.
Spanish and Portuguese share a lot of words. Brazilian Portuguese is a dialect of Portuguese.
 
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