Orthogonal complement question

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The discussion centers on finding the orthogonal complement of the subspace defined by the span of the vector [[0][1][-1][1]]^{T} in R^4. The user correctly identifies that the orthogonal complement can be determined by calculating the null space of the transpose of the vector. The row reduction of the matrix reveals three free variables: x1, x3, and x4, with x2 being a pivot variable. The solution space of the homogeneous system Ax=0 is thus characterized by these free variables.

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Geekster
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I have the set

[tex] s = span ( [[0][1][-1][1]]^{T} )[/tex]

And I need to find the orthogonal complement of the set.

It seems like it should be straight foward, but I'm a bit confused. I know that S is a subspace of R^4, and that there should be three free vairables.

What I did so far is to take the column vector given, and I need to find the null space of its transpose. The three free variables I picked are [tex]x_1= s, x_2=t, x_3=w, x_4=t-w[/tex].

However, x_1=s is throwing me off because its always zero. I guess what I'm really asking is, what exactly is the solution space of the homogenous system,
[tex] Ax=0[/tex]
in this problem?

Thanks
 
Last edited:
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You row reduce it (actually it is already row reduced) and you get 3 free variables: x1, x3, and x4. You have a pivot for x2. Your equations will be
x1 = x1
x2 = (an expression involving some of x1, x2, x3)
x3 = x3
x4 = x4
 

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