Proving the Validity of a Set of Vectors as a Basis for a Vector Space

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around proving that a specific set of vectors, v = { v₁, v₁ + v₂, v₁ + v₂ + v₃ }, forms a basis for a vector space V, given that { v₁, v₂, v₃ } is already a basis for V. Participants are exploring the conditions for a set of vectors to qualify as a basis, particularly focusing on linear independence and spanning the vector space.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the necessity of demonstrating linear independence to prove that v is a basis. Questions arise about whether the new set can express every vector in V as a linear combination of its elements. There is also a consideration of the implications of expressing linear combinations of linear combinations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants sharing their thoughts on the proof structure and the definitions of basis and linear independence. Some participants have provided insights into the relationships between the original basis and the new set of vectors, while others are questioning the validity of the proposed proof methods.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the definitions and properties of vector spaces, bases, and linear independence. There is an emphasis on ensuring that the proof adheres to the mathematical definitions without assuming prior knowledge beyond the stated problem.

Mathman23
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Hi

Given a Vector Space V which has the basis [tex]\{ v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3} \}[/tex] then I need to prove that the following set v = [tex]\{ v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex] is also a basis for V.

I know that in order for v to be a basis for V then [tex]V = span \{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex], and the vectors of v need to be linear independent.

but by showing that the vectors of v are linear independent is the best way of show that v is a basis for V?

Sincerely
Fred
 
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Mathman23 said:
but by showing that the vectors of v are linear independent is the best way of show that v is a basis for V?
Probably.

Also do you have the theorem that if {b1, ... ,bn} is a basis for a vector space V, then any linearly independent set of n vectors in V is also a basis?
 
We know that every vector [tex]v\in V[/tex] can be expressed as a linear combination of the basis vectors [tex]\{ v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3} \} ,[/tex] that is there exists scalars [tex]c_{1}, c_{2}, c_{3}[/tex] such that [tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3 .[/tex] Is the same true of [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex]?
 
benorin said:
We know that every vector [tex]v\in V[/tex] can be expressed as a linear combination of the basis vectors [tex]\{ v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3} \} ,[/tex] that is there exists scalars [tex]c_{1}, c_{2}, c_{3}[/tex] such that [tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3 .[/tex] Is the same true of [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex]?

if I express [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex] as a set of vectors [tex]\{x,y,z\}[/tex] which can be expressed

[tex]v=c_1 x +c_2 y+c_3 z.[/tex]

Then its the same.

Sincerely
Fred
 
I want to be sure you understand:

Suppose I take a linear combination of the vectors [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \} ,[/tex] this is then a linear combination of linear combinations of the given basis vectors, which is again, a linear combination of the given basis vectors, which every vector in V may be expressed as. Follow?
 
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I get it ;)

Then I show that the linear combination of the linear combination er linear independent ??

like

c1 * v1 = 0

c2 * (v1+v2) = 0

c3 * (v1 + v2 + v3) = 0

Sincerly
Fred

benorin said:
I want to be sure you understand:

Suppose I take a linear combination of the vectors [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \} ,[/tex] this is then a linear combination of linear combinations of the given basis vectors, which is again, a linear combination of the given basis vectors, which every vector in V may be expressed as. Follow?
 
benorin said:
We know that every vector [tex]v\in V[/tex] can be expressed as a linear combination of the basis vectors [tex]\{ v_{1}, v_{2}, v_{3} \} ,[/tex] that is there exists scalars [tex]c_{1}, c_{2}, c_{3}[/tex] such that [tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3 .[/tex] Is the same true of [tex]\{v_{1}, v_{1}+ v_{2}, v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex]?

Indeed, the existence of scalars [tex]c_{1}, c_{2}, c_{3}[/tex] such that [tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3[/tex] implies it, then there also exists scalars a,b,c such that [tex]v=av_1+b(v_1+v_2)+c(v_1+v_2+v_3).[/tex]

Proof: Fix v. Let the above hypothesis be so. Then

[tex]v=av_1+b(v_1+v_2)+c(v_1+v_2+v_3)=(a+b+c)v_1 + (b+c)v_2+cv_3[/tex]

but we know there exist scalars [tex]c_{1}, c_{2}, c_{3}[/tex] such that [tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3 ,[/tex]

so set these equal to obtain

[tex]v=c_1v_1+c_2v_2+c_3v_3=(a+b+c)v_1 + (b+c)v_2+cv_3[/tex]

equate coefficients of the v_k's to get the systems of equations [tex]c_1=a+b+c,c_2=b+c,c_3=c[/tex] so that we may take [tex]c=c_3, b=c_2-c_3,a=c_1-c_2[/tex] and hence there must also exists scalars a,b,c such that [tex]v=av_1+b(v_1+v_2)+c(v_1+v_2+v_3),[/tex] as required.
 
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Here is my own idear for a proof that the set of vectors [tex]v = \{v_{1}, v_{1} + v_{2},v_{1} + v_{2} + v_{3} \}[/tex] is a basis for the vector space V.

Definition: Basis for Vector Space

Let V be a Vector Space. A set of vectors in V is a basis for V if the following conditions are meet:

1. The set vectors spans V.
2. The set of all vectors is linear independent.

Proof:

(2) The vectors in v is said to be linear independent iff there doesn't exists scalars [tex]C = (c_1,c_2,c_3) \neq 0[/tex] such that

[tex]v = c_1 (v_1) + c_2 (v_1+v_2) + c_3 (v_1 + v_2 + v_3) = 0[/tex]

By expression the above in matrix-equation form:

[itex]\begin{array}{cc}\[ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} <br /> v_{11}& (v_{11} + v_{12})& (v_{11} + v_{12} + v_{13}) \\<br /> v_{21}& (v_{21} + v_{22})& (v_{21} + v_{22} + v_{23})\\<br /> v_{31}& (v_{31} + v_{32})& (v_{31} + v_{32} + v_{33})\\ <br /> \end{array} \right]\] \cdot \left[ \begin{array}{c} c_1 \\ c_2 \\ c_3 \end{array} \right] = 0 \] \end{array}[/itex]

If v is fixed, it can be concluded that matrix columbs of v are linear independent cause the only solution for the equation vC = 0 is the trivial solution(zero-vector):

[itex]\begin{array}{cc}\[ \left[ \begin{array}{ccc} <br /> c_{1} \\<br /> c_{2} \\<br /> c_{3} \\ <br /> \end{array} \right]\] = \left[ \begin{array}{c} 0 \\ 0 \\ 0 \end{array} \right] \] \end{array}[/itex]

Which implies the dependence relation between v and C doesn't exist since C = 0.

(1) Since the only solution for matrix equation is the trivial solution, then according to the definition for the Span of a vector subspace, then the set of v spans V.

This proves that the set of is it fact a basis for the Vector Space V.

Is my proof valid?

Sincerely
Fred
 
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