Vectorial Subspace: Origin to Vector Mapping

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of vectorial subspaces, particularly focusing on whether certain sets of vectors qualify as subspaces of R². The original poster questions the nature of vectors defined by specific equations and their relationship to subspace criteria.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the conditions required for a subset to be a subspace, discussing specific examples like (b, 2a + b) and (b, 2a + 1). Questions arise about the closure properties of these sets under addition and scalar multiplication.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes differing interpretations of the examples provided, with some participants suggesting that certain sets span R² while others argue they do not meet the subspace criteria. There is an ongoing exploration of the implications of these definitions without reaching a consensus.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the need for subsets to contain the zero vector and to be closed under addition and scalar multiplication, indicating a focus on the foundational properties of vector spaces. There is also mention of confusion regarding the dependence of variables in the examples discussed.

Fanta
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There's not really a problem statement here.
I just want to know :
If I have a vector starting on the origin (like a position vector), then it will always correspond to a vectorial subspace, right?

For example:

[tex](b, 2a + b ) : a, b \in R[/tex]

is a vectorial subspace

but is

[tex](b, 2a + 1 ) : a, b \in R[/tex]

a subspace too?
And if not, why is that?
 
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For a subset of a vector space to actually be a subspace of that vector space, the subset has to satisfy three conditions:
The set has to have the 0 vector.
If u and v are in the subset, then u + v is also in the subset.
If u is in the subset, and c is any scalar, then cu is in the subset.

The set of vectors (b, 2a + 1) is not a subspace of R2, because at least one of the three conditions is not met.
 
Uh, but (b,2a+1) spans all of R^2.
 
Dick said:
Uh, but (b,2a+1) spans all of R^2.
Right, but maybe we aren't talking about the same thing. I'm thinking in terms of the set {(a, 2b + 1) | a, b are real}. This set isn't closed under addition, so isn't a subspace of R2.
 
Mark44 said:
Right, but maybe we aren't talking about the same thing. I'm thinking in terms of the set {(a, 2b + 1) | a, b are real}. This set isn't closed under addition, so isn't a subspace of R2.

(a1,2b1+1)+(a2,2b2+1)=(c,2d+1) where c=a1+a2 and d=b1+b2+1/2. The question looks like a different kind of question (i.e. is (a,2b,1) a subspace?). But it's not. 2b+1 is ANY real number, just like b and independent of a.
 
Dick, I wasn't confusing it with (a, 2b, 1). I think I got thrown by the lack of dependence of a and b.
 
Mark44 said:
Dick, I wasn't confusing it with (a, 2b, 1). I think I got thrown by the lack of dependence of a and b.

That's true. (a,2a+1) would also be a whole different story.
 
Dick said:
That's true. (a,2a+1) would also be a whole different story.
That's exactly where I was coming from. My eyes must have glazed over...
 
you got me kinda lost here.

so it is indeed a subspace since it spans all R^2?
 
  • #10
Fanta said:
you got me kinda lost here.

so it is indeed a subspace since it spans all R^2?

R^2 is a subspace of R^2, isn't it? Check the conditions to be a subspace Mark44 was referring to.
 

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