Is U + U' a subspace if U and U' are contained in W?

In summary, we are trying to prove that if W is a subspace and U ∪ U′ is a subset of W, then the sum of U and U′ is also a subset of W. This can be shown by using the closure properties of a subspace and the fact that W is a subspace, where for any w1 and w2 in W, the sum of w1 and w2 is also in W. This can also be understood by considering the definition of a subspace, where the sum of two subspaces is also a subspace. Therefore, U + U′ is a subset of W.
  • #1
nsj
1
0
If U, U ′ are subspaces of V , then the union U ∪ U ′ is almost never a subspace (unless one happens to be contained in the other). Prove that, if W is a subspace, and U ∪ U ′ ⊂ W , then U + U ′ ⊂ W .

This seems fairly simple, but I am stuck on how to go about proving it.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
use the closure properties of a subspace.
 
  • #3
or you could ask your TA during office hours, Wildcat
 
  • #4
if W is a subspace, then for any w1,w2 in W, w1+w2 is also in W.

now, if u is U, and u' is in U', can we say these are in W? why?
 
  • #5
gimme ur mail id,i will send da pics frm my book...this prove is in my syllabus...
 
  • #6
you know that adding two things from U is okay, you know that adding two things from U' is okay; what happens when you add something from U and something from U'? We already know that W is supposed to be a subspace. What is the definition of the subspace U + U'?
 

1. What is the definition of a union of subspaces?

The union of subspaces is a mathematical operation that combines two or more subspaces into a single subspace. It is denoted by the symbol ∪ and is defined as the set of all elements that belong to at least one of the subspaces.

2. How is the union of subspaces different from the sum of subspaces?

The union of subspaces is a set operation, while the sum of subspaces is a vector space operation. The union of subspaces combines the elements of two or more subspaces, while the sum of subspaces combines the vectors in two or more subspaces to form a new subspace.

3. Can the union of subspaces be finite or infinite?

The union of subspaces can be both finite and infinite, depending on the number of subspaces being combined. If there are a finite number of subspaces, then the union will also be finite. However, if there are an infinite number of subspaces, then the union will also be infinite.

4. What is the relationship between the union of subspaces and linear independence?

If the subspaces being combined are linearly independent, then the union of subspaces will also be linearly independent. This means that the elements of the combined subspace cannot be written as a linear combination of the elements in the original subspaces.

5. How is the union of subspaces related to the dimension of a vector space?

The dimension of the union of subspaces is always less than or equal to the sum of the dimensions of the individual subspaces. In other words, the union of subspaces cannot have a higher dimension than the sum of the dimensions of the individual subspaces.

Similar threads

  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
7
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
5
Views
6K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • Calculus and Beyond Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • Linear and Abstract Algebra
Replies
1
Views
1K
Back
Top