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bcjochim07
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Homework Statement
Prove that two vectors are linearly dependent if and only if one is a scalar multiple of the other.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
This seems at glance to be a fairly easy proof:Part I Assume that vectors u and v are linearly dependent.
Then c1u + c2v = 0 where c1 and c2 are not both 0
then u = -c2/c1 * v
and v = -c1/c2 * u But this doesn't make sense to me because what if one of c1 or c2 does equal zero?
Part II Assume that u =av and v=bu , where a and b are constants
then u - av = 0 where the coefficient of u is 1 and v - bu = 0 where the coefficient of v is 1.
Therefore u and v are linearly dependent.
I'm struggling a bit with linear algebra proofs, so any critique or suggestions that anyone could offer would be greatly appreciated.