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The opposite direction is same. So, span{[4 -2 6]}= span{[2 -1 3]}.
 
The opposite direction is same. So, span{[4 -2 6]}= span{[2 -1 3]}.
 
A basis for a vector space is not unique but a dimension of a vector space is unique.
 
A basis for a vector space is not unique but a dimension of a vector space is unique.
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Question from a student:
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From what I understand, a basis is a set of vectors that can be used to
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create any vector in the span. So for example, if the basis is [1 0] [0 1],
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then the span could be [1 0] [0 1] [2 2] [2 0]. Is that correct?
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Answer from [[User:Bell|Steve Bell]]:
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The span is ALL vectors you get by taking linear combinations.
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Hence, the span is x*[1,0] + y*[0,1] = [x,y] as x and y range
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over all possible values, i.e., the span is R^2.

Revision as of 07:23, 29 August 2013


Homework 2 collaboration area

Here is the Homework 2 collaboration area. Since HWK 2 is due the Wednesday after Labor Day, I won't have a chance to answer questions on Monday like usual. I will answer any and all questions here on the Rhea on Tuesday with help from Eun Young Park. - Steve Bell



Back to MA527, Fall 2013

Questions from a student :

When finding a basis, does it always have to be fully reduced? For example, if you have a basis [4 -2 6] does it need to be reduced to [2 -1 3] or is either answer acceptable? Jones947

Answer from Eun Young :

No, it doesn't need to be reduced. If { [4 -2 6] } is a basis for some vector space $ V $, then { [2 -1 3] } is also a basis for $ V $ and vice versa. If v belongs to span{[4 -2 6 ]}, v = c[4 -2 6] = 2c [2 -1 3 ] for some c. Hence, v belongs to span{[2 -1 3]}. The opposite direction is same. So, span{[4 -2 6]}= span{[2 -1 3]}. A basis for a vector space is not unique but a dimension of a vector space is unique.

Question from a student:

From what I understand, a basis is a set of vectors that can be used to create any vector in the span. So for example, if the basis is [1 0] [0 1], then the span could be [1 0] [0 1] [2 2] [2 0]. Is that correct?

Answer from Steve Bell:

The span is ALL vectors you get by taking linear combinations. Hence, the span is x*[1,0] + y*[0,1] = [x,y] as x and y range over all possible values, i.e., the span is R^2.

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