Trouble understanding vector subspace sum

Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding vector subspace sums in the context of Linear Algebra, specifically regarding the sets U and W defined in \(\mathbb{F}^3\). The original poster expresses confusion about why different definitions of W still yield the same result for the sum U + W.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to reconcile the definitions of U and W with the resulting subspace U + W, questioning the consistency of the results when W is defined differently.

Discussion Status

Some participants provide insights into the nature of the variables used in the definitions, suggesting that the variables are arbitrary and that the resulting subspaces are equivalent despite different representations. The discussion appears to be progressing towards clarification of the concepts involved.

Contextual Notes

The original poster is self-studying and is encountering challenges with the rigor of the material in their textbook. There may be assumptions about familiarity with vector spaces and their properties that are being examined in the discussion.

Cyview
Messages
7
Reaction score
0
I'm self-studying Linear Algebra and the book I'm using is Linear Algebra done right by Sheldon Axler but I came across something that I don't understand .-
Suppose [itex]\mathrm U[/itex] is the set of all elements of [itex]\mathbb F ^3[/itex] whose second and third coordinates equal 0, and [itex]\mathrm W[/itex] is the set of all elements of [itex]\mathbb F ^3[/itex] whose first and third coordinates equal 0:
[tex]\mathrm U = \{ (x , 0 ,0) \in \mathbb F^3: x \in \mathbb F \} \text{ and } \mathrm W= \{(0,y,0) \in \mathbb F^3:y \in F \}[/tex]
then
[tex]\mathrm U + \mathrm W = \{ (x, y, 0) : x, y \in \mathbb F \}[/tex]
As another example, suppose [itex]\mathrm U[/itex] is as above and [itex]\mathrm W[/itex] is the set of all elements of [itex]\mathbb F^3[/itex] whose first and second coordinates equal each other and whose third coordinate equals 0:
[tex]\mathrm W= \{(y,y,0) \in \mathbb F^3:y \in F \}[/tex]
Then [itex]\mathrm U + \mathrm W[/itex] is also given by.- (this is the part I don't understand)
[tex]\mathrm U + \mathrm W = \{ (x, y, 0) : x, y \in \mathbb F \}[/tex]

why is that it's the same result nevertheless the subspace has changed?
it shouldn't be something like [tex]\mathrm U + \mathrm W = \{ (x + y, y, 0) : x, y \in \mathbb F \}[/tex] what am I missing here?, thank you very much.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
The ##x## in the definition of U and the ##x## in the definition of U+W aren't the same. In both cases, U+W is the same subspace of F3, i.e. vectors of the form (x,y,0).
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 2 people
$$\mathrm U + \mathrm W = \{ (x + y, y, 0) : x, y \in \mathbb F \}$$ is the same thing as $$\mathrm U + \mathrm W = \{ (u, v, 0) : u, v \in \mathbb F \}$$ where u=x+y and v=y. Given any u and v you can solve for x and y and vice versa. So they are the same subspace.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 2 people
Thank you very much, now I understand that it just serve as an arbitrary variable to denote all the possible values, it's the first time I read a book as rigorous as this one, but know I get it
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K