# Proving the subspaces are equal

1. Dec 12, 2013

### NATURE.M

If I want to show two orthogonal subsets S$_{1}$ and S$_{2}$ of ℝ$^{n}$ both span the same subspace W of ℝ$^{n}$ does it suffice to show that
S$_{1}$$\subset$S$_{2}$ and that S$_{2}$$\subset$S$_{1}$, thus showing S$_{1}$ = S$_{2}$
$\Rightarrow$ they span the same space.

If theres a better method, I'd like to know.
Thanks!

2. Dec 12, 2013

### Office_Shredder

Staff Emeritus
Yes, that method would work if the two sets are equal but that will almost never be the case. Typically you would want to show that
$$S_1 \subset span(S_2)$$
which immediately implies
$$span(S_1) \subset span(S_2)$$
at which point since they both have the same size (if they don't then you didn't need to do any work) the two spans must be equal.

3. Dec 12, 2013

### NATURE.M

After looking back at my post, I realize I should of wrote span(S$_{1}$) $\subset$ span(S$_{2}$) and vice versa. But anyways thanks.

4. Dec 12, 2013

### Office_Shredder

Staff Emeritus
OK then yeah you are doing more work than required. If they're orthogonal sets you know their spans have dimension equal to the number of elements. As soon as you have one span is contained in the other you are done, and you don't need to check the other direction.

5. Dec 12, 2013

### NATURE.M

okay that makes sense. thanks!