Subspace spanned by subsets of polynomials

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the subspaces spanned by various subsets of polynomials in the linear space of all real polynomials. Specifically, the subsets analyzed are {1, t², t⁴}, {t, t³, t⁴}, {t, t²}, and {1+t, (1+t)²}. The dimensions of the spanned subspaces are determined to be 3 for the first three subsets and 2 for the last subset, with clarifications on the definitions of biquadratic polynomials and the implications of polynomial degrees. The analysis confirms that the subsets form bases for their respective spanned spaces.

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In the linear space of all real polynomials $p(t)$, describe the subspace spanned by each of the following subsets of polynomials and determine the dimension of this subspace.

(a) $$\left\{1,t^2,t^4\right\}$$, (b)$$ \left\{t,t^3,t^4\right\}$$, (c) $$\left\{t,t^2\right\}$$, (d) $\left\{1+t, (1+t)^2\right\}$

(a) Let $a_1, a_2, a_3$ be scalars. Then the subspace spanned by $$\left\{1,t^2,t^4\right\}$$ is the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1t^4+a_2t^2+a_3\right\}$. This is the space of all biquadratic polynomials. To find the dimension, we need to show that $$\left\{1,t^2,t^4\right\}$$ is a basis for this set. We already have that it spans set of all biquadratic polynomials. To find that it's linearly independent, suppose that $a_1t^4+a_2t^2+a_3 = 0$ for all $t$. But this can only happen if $a_1 = a_2 = a_3 = 0$. Therefore $$\left\{1,t^2,t^4\right\}$$ is a basis for $l(t)$. Therefore $\text{dim}(l(t)) = 3$. Is this close enough?

(b) I think $$\left\{t,t^3,t^4\right\}$$ spans the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1t+a_2t^3+a_3t^4: a_1, a_2, a_3 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$. It's the space of all polynomials of degree less than or equal to $4$ with no quadratic and constant terms. $$\left\{t,t^3,t^4\right\}$$ is also a basis for this space because $a_1t+a_2t^3+a_3t^4 = 0 $ for all $t$ implies $a_1 = a_2 = a_3 = 0$. Therefore $\text{dim}(l(t)) = 3$.

(c) $$\left\{t,t^2\right\}$$ spans the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1t+a_2t^2: a_1, a_2 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$. It's the space of all polynomials of degree less than or equal to $2$ with no constant terms. $$\left\{t, t^2\right\}$$ is also a basis for this space because $a_1t+a_2t^2= 0 $ for all $t$ implies $a_1 = a_2 = 0$. Therefore $\text{dim}(l(t)) = 2$.

(d) $\left\{1+t,(1+t)^2\right\}$ spans the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1(1+t)+a_2(1+t)^2: a_1, a_2 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$. It's the space of all quadratic functions. $$\left\{1+t, (1+t)^2\right\}$$ is also a basis for this space because $a_1(1+t)+a_2(1+t)^2 = (a_1+a_2)+(2a_2+a_1)t+a_2t^2 = 0 $ for all $t$ implies $a_1 = a_2 = 0$. Therefore $\text{dim}(l(t)) = 2$.
 
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Guest said:
(a) Let $a_1, a_2, a_3$ be scalars. Then the subspace spanned by $$\left\{1,t^2,t^4\right\}$$ is the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1t^4+a_2t^2+a_3\right\}$.
It should say $\{a_1t^4+a_2t^2+a_3\mid a_1,a_2,a_3\in\Bbb R\}$.

Guest said:
This is the space of all biquadratic polynomials.
Depending on the definition, "biquadratic polynomial" may mean a polynomial of degree 4 (with other conditions). This subspace also contains polynomials of lesser degree.

Guest said:
(d) $\left\{1+t,(1+t)^2\right\}$ spans the set $ l(t) = \left\{a_1(1+t)+a_2(1+t)^2: a_1, a_2 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$. It's the space of all quadratic functions.
The dimension of the space over $\Bbb R$ of polynomials of degree $\le2$ is $3$, so it cannot be spanned by two polynomials.
 
Thank you.
Evgeny.Makarov said:
It should say $\{a_1t^4+a_2t^2+a_3\mid a_1,a_2,a_3\in\Bbb R\}$.

Depending on the definition, "biquadratic polynomial" may mean a polynomial of degree 4 (with other conditions). This subspace also contains polynomials of lesser degree.
So the space of all even polynomials of degree $ \le 4$ would have been a better description?

The dimension of the space over $\Bbb R$ of polynomials of degree $\le2$ is $3$, so it cannot be spanned by two polynomials.

How would you describe the space $l(t) = \left\{a_1(1+t)+a_2(1+t)^2: a_1, a_2 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$?
 
Last edited:
Guest said:
How would you describe the space $l(t) = \left\{a_1(1+t)+a_2(1+t)^2: a_1, a_2 \in \mathbb{R}\right\}$?
You can provide different bases, such as $(1+t,1+2t+t^2)$, $(t+t^2,1+2t+t^2)$ or $(1+t,t+t^2)$.
 

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