Understanding Projection in Finite-Dimensional Inner-Product Spaces

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on Proposition 3.16 regarding projections in finite-dimensional inner-product spaces. It establishes that for a vector v in an inner-product space V and a subspace W, the inequality ||v - projW(v)|| <= ||v - w|| holds for all w in W. Additionally, it states that if ||v - projW(v)|| = ||v - w||, then projW(v) equals w. A correction was made to the proof, clarifying that the initial equation should not include ||v - projW(v)|| twice.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of finite-dimensional inner-product spaces
  • Familiarity with vector projections
  • Knowledge of Pythagorean theorem in the context of vector spaces
  • Basic concepts of subspaces in linear algebra
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of projections in inner-product spaces
  • Learn about orthogonality and its implications in vector spaces
  • Explore the geometric interpretation of projections
  • Investigate applications of projections in optimization problems
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in mathematics, particularly those studying linear algebra, vector calculus, or any field requiring a solid understanding of projections in inner-product spaces.

Butelle
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Hi - i have fully worked solutions in my notes, but i do not understand this step in the proof. Proposition 3.16. Suppose that W is a subspace of a nite-dimensional inner-product
space V and let v be an alement of V . Then ||v - projW(v)|| <= ||v - w|| for all w is an element of W. Moreover, if
w element of W and ||v - projW(v)|| = ||v - w|| then projW(v) = w.
Proof. If w is an element of W then
||v - projW(v)||^2 + ||v - projW(v)||^2 + || projW(v) - w||^2 (1)
= ||v - projW(v) + projW(v) - w||^2 (by Pythagoras' Theorem) (2)
= ||v - w||^2:

note - projW(v) is the projection of v onto W

I do not really understand how (1) implies (2)? Thanks for ur help!




The Attempt at a Solution

 
Physics news on Phys.org
There is a typo in (1).

||v - projW(v)||^2 + ||v - projW(v)||^2 + || projW(v) - w||^2 (1)

should be

||v - projW(v)||^2 + || projW(v) - w||^2 (1).


Now Pythagoras says if vectors a and b are orthogonal, then

||a||^2 + ||b||^2 = ||a + b||^2.
 
thanks!
 

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
3K
Replies
8
Views
2K
Replies
34
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K