Prove Linear Independence: Every Non-Empty Subset

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that every non-empty subset of a linear independent set is also linear independent. The original poster expresses uncertainty about their initial statement and attempts to formulate a proof involving linear combinations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore a proof by contradiction, questioning the implications of a subset being not independent. They discuss the definitions of linear independence and how to express these concepts mathematically.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to structure the proof and clarify definitions. There is an ongoing exploration of the mathematical expressions needed to articulate the proof effectively. The original poster acknowledges a mistake and seeks further clarification.

Contextual Notes

There are indications of language barriers affecting the clarity of communication. The original poster is working under constraints of a homework assignment and is attempting to navigate the proof without complete confidence in their mathematical language.

annoymage
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Homework Statement



If a set is linear independent, proove that every of its non empty subset is linear independent.
i'm sorry, but I'm not sure is my sentence correct or not,

Homework Equations



n/a

The Attempt at a Solution



let {v1,v2,v3,...,vn} be linear independent set.

so a1v1+a2v2+a3v3+,...,+anvn=0, and ai=0 , i= 1,2,3,...,n

let mv1+nv2=0, i can't even prove m=n=0, so help me start proving that first T_T
 
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Prove it by contradiction.

Suppose there exist some subset, [itex]\{v_i| i\in A\}[/itex] for A some subset of {1, 2, ..., n} that is NOT independent. That means we can find [itex]\sum a_iv_i= 0[/itex] with every [itex]v_i[/itex] from this subset, not all [itex]a_i[/itex] equal to 0.

Now, do you see how that immediately contradicts the fact that the entire set is independent?
 
yeaaa i can see i clearly, but I am not sure how to convert those word to mathematical form
hmm but i remembered 1 theorem said, they are linear independent iff exist 1 vector of them can be written as linear combination of other. ngaha, my language are so terrible, nevertheless,

Suppose there exist some subset, [itex]\{v_i| i\in A\}[/itex] for A some subset of {1, 2, ..., n} that is NOT independent that means we can find vm in the set such that

vm=a1v1+,...,+am-1vm-1,am+1vm+1+,...+anvn
0=a1v1,...,am-1vm-1+vm+am+1vm+1,...anvn

contradiction

conclusion ¬(my assumption)
this library computer so slow, i hope you can understand it, anyway, it's correct right?
 
Last edited:
annoymage said:
yeaaa i can see i clearly, but I am not sure how to convert those word to mathematical form
hmm but i remembered 1 theorem said, they are linear independent iff exist 1 vector of them can be written as linear combination of other. ngaha, my language are so terrible, nevertheless,

Suppose there exist some subset, [itex]\{v_i| i\in A\}[/itex] for A some subset of {1, 2, ..., n} that is NOT independent that means we can find vm in the set such that

vm=a1v1+,...,+am-1vm-1,am+1vm+1+,...+anvn
0=a1v1,...,am-1vm-1+vm+am+1vm+1,...anvn

contradiction

conclusion ¬(my assumption)
this library computer so slow, i hope you can understand it, anyway, it's correct right?
Well, I guess my question then is "what definition of "independent" are you using?"

You seem to be using "you cannot write one vector in terms of the other" for the subset and "if a linear combination is 0, then the coefficients must be 0" for the entire set. Use the same thing for both.

Suppose there exist a subset, [itex]\{v_i, v_j, ..., v_k\}[/itex] of the independent set [math]\{v_1, v_2, ..., v_n\}[/math] where {i, j, ..., k} is a subset of {1, 2, ..., n} (make sure your notation does not imply that the vectors in the subset were any particular vectors in the original set, like "the first m vectors") that is not independent. Then there exist scalars [itex]a_i, a_j, ..., a_k[/itex], not all 0, such that [itex]a_iv_i+ a_jv_j+ ...+ a_kv_k= 0[/itex]. But then we have [itex]b_1v_1+ b_2v_2+ ...+ b_nv_n= 0[/itex] with [itex]b_m= 0[/itex] if m is not in {i, j, ..., k} and [itex]b_m= a_m[/itex] if it is. That is a linear combination of [itex]\{v_1, v_2, ..., v_n\}[/itex] equal to 0 with not all coefficients equal to 0.
 
yea, sorry, i did very big mistake there,

but thanks anyway
 

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