Prove "dim U \geq dim V - dim W" Linear Map Question

[jimmypoopins]

Homework Statement

Suppose that V and W are finite dimensional and that U is a subspace of V. Prove that there exists T \in L(V,W) such that null T = U if and only if dim U \geq dim V - dim W.

Homework Equations

thm: If T \in L(V,W), then range T is a subspace of W.

thm: If V is a finite dimensional vector space and T \in L(V,W) then range T is a finite-dimensional subspace of W and dim V = dim null T + dim range T.

The Attempt at a Solution

forward direction: by thm, range T is a subspace of W implies that
dim range T \leq dim range W.

by thm, dim V = dim null T + dim range T
dim V = dim U + dim range T (since U = null T)
dim V - dim range T = dim U

dim V - dim W \leq dim U since dim range T \leq dim range W.

i think the forward direction is good. comments?

backward direction:
we have dim V - dim W \leq dim U. Let (u_{1},...,u_{n}) be a basis for U. extend this to a basis for V: (u_{1},...,u_{n},u_{n+1},...u_{m}). then dim U = n, and dim V = m. Then any v \in V can be written as a_{1}u_{1}+...+a_{m}u_{m}.

I think I'm in the right direction but I'm confused as to what to do. since we have dim V - dim W is less than dim U, i want to say that dim W is greater than or equal to m, but i don't know how to define T so that null T = U. If i make all of the T(u_i} in the basis 0, then null T = U, but how does that relate to the relation of dim V - dim W \leq dim U?

thanks.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Homework Statement

Suppose that V and W are finite dimensional and that U is a subspace of V. Prove that there exists T \in L(V,W) such that null T = U if and only if dim U \geq dim V - dim W.

Homework Equations

thm: If T \in L(V,W), then range T is a subspace of W.

thm: If V is a finite dimensional vector space and T \in L(V,W) then range T is a finite-dimensional subspace of W and dim V = dim null T + dim range T.

The Attempt at a Solution

forward direction: by thm, range T is a subspace of W implies that
dim range T \leq dim range W.

by thm, dim V = dim null T + dim range T
dim V = dim U + dim range T (since U = null T)
dim V - dim range T = dim U

dim V - dim W \leq dim U since dim range T \leq dim range W.

i think the forward direction is good. comments?

Yes, thatis correct. I had to stop and think about it for a moment. Since range T is a subset of W, dim Range T\le dim W. Therefore, -dim Range T\ge -dim W, therefore dim V- dim W\ledimV- dim Range T= dim U.

backward direction:
we have dim V - dim W \leq dim U. Let (u_{1},...,u_{n}) be a basis for U. extend this to a basis for V: (u_{1},...,u_{n},u_{n+1},...u_{m}). then dim U = n, and dim V = m. Then any v \in V can be written as a_{1}u_{1}+...+a_{m}u_{m}.

I think I'm in the right direction but I'm confused as to what to do. since we have dim V - dim W is less than dim U, i want to say that dim W is greater than or equal to m, but i don't know how to define T so that null T = U. If i make all of the T(u_i} in the basis 0, then null T = U, but how does that relate to the relation of dim V - dim W \leq dim U?

thanks.

Think about what you want to prove: if dim V- dim W\le dim U, then there exists a linear transformation T such that null T= U. dim V- dim W\le dim U means dim V- dim U\le dim W. Choose a basis for U, extend it to a basis for V. Now, define T so that Tu= 0 for any basis vector of U. Tv, for v a basis vector for v not in the basis for U, can be anything in W.