Simple fundamental subspaces problem stumping me

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    Fundamental Subspaces
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the fundamental subspaces associated with a matrix represented as a row vector. Participants explore the dimensions of the null space and row space, addressing a specific confusion regarding their dimensionality and the basis vectors for each space.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant claims the null space has 2 dimensions and provides basis vectors, but expresses confusion over the dimensionality adding up to 4 instead of 3.
  • Another participant agrees that the null space is indeed 2-dimensional and provides a condition for the null space vectors, asserting that the row space is 1-dimensional with a basis vector.
  • A third participant challenges the initial claim about the row space, stating that the row space consists solely of multiples of the row vector and cannot include the null space basis vectors.
  • A later reply reflects a realization about the nature of the row space, clarifying that it is defined by the rows of the matrix rather than vectors that yield non-zero results when operated on by the matrix.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the dimensionality of the row space, with some asserting it is 1-dimensional while others initially claimed it was 2-dimensional. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the initial confusion about the dimensions adding up correctly.

Contextual Notes

There is an apparent misunderstanding regarding the definitions of row space and null space, which may depend on the participants' interpretations of linear combinations and the characteristics of the matrix rows.

kostoglotov
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So the matrix is just a row vector

\begin{bmatrix}3 & 4 & 0\end{bmatrix}

My problem, is that I get the nullspace as having to 2 dimensions, and the row space as having 2 dimenions, but that adds up to 4 dimensions, when it should add up to three. What simple thing am I missing?

Null space base vectors

\begin{bmatrix}-4\\3\\0\end{bmatrix},\begin{bmatrix}0\\0\\1\end{bmatrix}

Row space base vectors

\begin{bmatrix}1\\0\\0\end{bmatrix},\begin{bmatrix}0\\1\\0\end{bmatrix}
 
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Taking the matrix to be the single row \begin{bmatrix}3 & 4 & 0\end{bmatrix} then the null space is all \begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \\ z \end{bmatrix} such that \begin{bmatrix}3 & 4 & 0\end{bmatrix}\begin{bmatrix}x \\ y \\ z \end{bmatrix}= 3x+ 4y= 0. Yes, that is of dimension 2 having \{\begin{bmatrix}-4 \\ 3 \\ 0\end{bmatrix}, \begin{bmatrix}0 \\ 0 \\ 1 \end{bmatrix}\} as basis. However, the row space is one dimensional, having the vector \begin{bmatrix}3 & 4 & 0 \end{bmatrix}, the single row making up the matrix, as basis.
 
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Those two last vectors cannot be in the row space, because a linear combination of them will give the first null space vector, ## [-4 \ 3 \ 0]^T##. In fact, the row space is the space spanned by the rows of the matrix, considered as vectors. So the row space consists of all multiples of ## [3 \ 4 \ 0]^T ##.

EDIT: oops, HallsofIvy beat me to it :-)
 
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I realize what I was missing now.

I kept thinking of the row space as all those vector that can be operated on by the matrix without giving a zero vector result. Except that's not what the rowsapce is! It's the vector/s that characterize/s the rows of the matrix. Thanks @HallsofIvy and @Geofleur!
 

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