MA2201 -

LINEAR ALGEBRA AND BOUNDARY VALUE

PROBLEMS

VECTOR SPACES

Subspace
Subspace
Let 𝑉 be a vector space over a filed 𝐹. A non empty subset 𝑊 of 𝑉 is called a subspace of
𝑉 if 𝑊 itself is a vector space over 𝐹 under the operations of 𝑉.

Remark
 {0} and 𝑉 are subspaces of any vector space 𝑉. They are called the trivial subspaces of 𝑉.
 It is not necessary to verify all the vector space axioms to prove that a subset is a subspace,
because we have a necessary and sufficient conditions for a subset to be a subspace.

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

Theorem
Let 𝑉 be a vector space over 𝐹. A non empty subset 𝑊 of 𝑉 is a subspace of 𝑉 if and
only if 𝑊 is closed with respect to vector addition and scalar multiplication in 𝑉.
(ie) If 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 ⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 ∈ 𝑊.
Proof
Let 𝑊 be a subspace of a vector space 𝑉.
Then 𝑊 itself a vector space and hence 𝑊 is closed with respect to vector addition and scalar
multiplication.
Conversely,
Let 𝑊 be a non empty subset of a vector space and it is closed with respect to vector
addition and scalar multiplication in 𝑉.
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
(ie) If 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 ⟹ 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 ∈ 𝑊
To prove : 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑉.
It is enough to prove 0 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝑊 contains additive inverse of each of its elements.
(ie) 𝑊 is an additive subgroup of 𝑉.
Let 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊
We have 0𝑢 = 0 ∈ 𝑊 and (−1)𝑢 = −𝑢 ∈ 𝑊 ∵ 𝛼 ∈ 𝐹, 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 ∈ 𝑊
Therefore 𝑊 contains 0 and the additive inverse of each of its elements.
Hence 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑉.
Theorem
Let 𝑉 be a vector space over a field 𝐹. A non empty subset 𝑊 of 𝑉 is a subspace of 𝑉
if and only if 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
Proof
Let W be a non empty subspace of 𝑉.
Let 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹.
Since 𝑊 is a subspace 𝛼𝑢, 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and hence 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
Conversely,
Suppose 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
To prove : 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑉
Let 𝛼 = 1, 𝛽 = 1, we have 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 = 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and
𝛼 = 1, 𝛽 = 0, we have 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 = 𝛼𝑢= 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊
Therefore by above theorem 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑉.

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

Example 1
𝑊= 𝑎, 0, 0 /𝑎 ∈ 𝑅 is a subspace of 𝑅3.
Proof
Clearly 0, 0, 0 ∈ 𝑊 and hence 𝑊 is non empty
Let 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹
Here 𝑢 = (𝑎, 0, 0) and 𝑣 = (𝑏, 0, 0)
𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 = 𝛼 𝑎, 0, 0 + 𝛽(𝑏, 0, 0)
= 𝛼𝑎, 0, 0 + (𝛽𝑏, 0, 0)
= 𝛼𝑎 + 𝛽𝑏, 0, 0 ∈𝑊
(ie) 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
Hence, 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑅3 .
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
Example 2
In 𝑅3 , 𝑊 = 𝑘𝑎, 𝑘𝑏, 𝑘𝑐 /𝑘 ∈ 𝑅 is a subspace.
Proof
Clearly 0, 0, 0 ∈ 𝑊 and hence 𝑊 is non empty
Let 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹
Here 𝑢 = (𝑘1𝑎, 𝑘1𝑏, 𝑘1𝑐) and 𝑣 = (𝑘2𝑎, 𝑘2𝑏, 𝑘2𝑐)
𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 = 𝛼 𝑘1𝑎, 𝑘1𝑏, 𝑘1𝑐 + 𝛽(𝑘2𝑎, 𝑘2𝑏, 𝑘2𝑐)
= 𝛼𝑘1𝑎, 𝛼𝑘1𝑏, 𝛼𝑘1𝑐 + (𝛽𝑘2𝑎, 𝛽𝑘2𝑏, 𝛽𝑘2𝑐)
= (𝛼𝑘1 + 𝛽𝑘2)𝑎, (𝛼𝑘1 + 𝛽𝑘2)𝑏, (𝛼𝑘1 + 𝛽𝑘2)𝑐 ∈ 𝑊
(ie) 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
Hence, 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑅3 .
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
Example 3
Let W be the set of all points in 𝑅3 satisfying the equation 𝑙𝑥 + 𝑚𝑦 + 𝑛𝑧 = 0. Then W is a
subspace of 𝑅3.
Proof
Let W= 𝑙𝑥 + 𝑚𝑦 + 𝑛𝑧 = 0 / 𝑥, 𝑦, 𝑧 ∈ 𝑅
Clearly 0, 0, 0 ∈ 𝑊 and hence 𝑊 is non empty
Let 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹
Here 𝑢 = (𝑥1, 𝑦1, 𝑧1 ) and 𝑣 = (𝑥2, 𝑦2, 𝑧2)
Then 𝑙𝑥1 + 𝑚𝑦1 + 𝑛𝑧1 = 0 ----------(1) and
𝑙𝑥2 + 𝑚𝑦2 + 𝑛𝑧2 = 0 ----------(2)

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 = 𝛼(𝑥1, 𝑦1, 𝑧1 ) + 𝛽(𝑥2, 𝑦2, 𝑧2)
= (𝛼𝑥1 + 𝛽𝑥2, 𝛼𝑦1 + 𝛽𝑦2, 𝛼𝑧1 + 𝛽𝑧2)
= (𝑋, 𝑌, 𝑍) where 𝑋 = 𝛼𝑥1 + 𝛽𝑥2 , 𝑌 = 𝛼𝑦1 + 𝛽𝑦2 , 𝑍 = 𝛼𝑧1 + 𝛽𝑧2
Now 𝑙𝑋 + 𝑚𝑌 + 𝑛𝑍 = 𝑙 𝛼𝑥1 + 𝛽𝑥2 + 𝑚 𝛼𝑦1 + 𝛽𝑦2 + 𝑛 𝛼𝑧1 + 𝛽𝑧2
= 𝑙𝛼𝑥1 + 𝑙𝛽𝑥2 + 𝑚𝛼𝑦1 + 𝑚𝛽𝑦2 + 𝑛𝛼𝑧1 + 𝑛𝛽𝑧2
= 𝛼 𝑙𝑥1 + 𝑚𝑦1 + 𝑛𝑧1 + 𝛽 𝑙𝑥2 + 𝑚𝑦2 + 𝑛𝑧2
= 𝛼 0 +𝛽 0 (by (1) & (2))
=0
Therefore, 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊
Hence, 𝑊 is a subspace of 𝑅3 .

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

Theorem
The intersection of two subspaces of a vector space is a subspace.
Proof
Let 𝑊1 and 𝑊2 be two subspaces of 𝑉.
To prove : 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2 is a subspace of 𝑉.
Since 𝑊1 and 𝑊2 are subspaces 0 ∈ 𝑊1 and 0 ∈ 𝑊2 hence 0 ∈ 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2
Now to prove, 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2 and 𝛼, 𝛽 ∈ 𝐹 ⟹ 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2
Let 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2
Then 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊1 & 𝑊2 and 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 & 𝑊2
(ie) 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 and 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 and 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2 (𝑊1 & 𝑊2 are subspaces)
∴ 𝛼𝑢 + 𝛽𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2
Hence 𝑊1 ∩ 𝑊2 is a subspace of 𝑉.
Remark
The union of two subspaces of a vector space need not be a subspace.
For,
Let 𝑊1 = {(𝑎, 0, 0)/𝑎 ∈ 𝑅} and 𝑊2 = {(0, 𝑏, 0)/𝑏 ∈ 𝑅
Here 𝑊1 and 𝑊2 are subspaces of 𝑉 = 𝑅3.
Let (1, 0, 0) ∈ 𝑊1 and (0, 1, 0) ∈ 𝑊2.
But (1, 0, 0) 𝖴 (0, 1, 0) ∉ 𝑊1 𝖴 𝑊2.
𝑊1 𝖴 𝑊2 is not a subspace of 𝑉.
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
Theorem
The union of two subspaces of a vector space is a subspace if and only if one is contained in the
other. (ie) either 𝑊1 ⊆ 𝑊2 or 𝑊2 ⊆ 𝑊1
Proof
Let 𝑊1 & 𝑊2 be two subspaces of a vector space 𝑉.
Suppose, either 𝑊1 ⊆ 𝑊2 or 𝑊2 ⊆ 𝑊1 (one is contained in the other)
To prove :𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 is a subspace
Given 𝑊1 ⊆ 𝑊2 ⟹ 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 = 𝑊2 or
𝑊2 ⊆ 𝑊1 ⟹ 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 = 𝑊1
Since 𝑊1 & 𝑊2 are subspaces, 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 is a subspace

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES

Conversely,
𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 is a subspace of 𝑉.
To prove: either 𝑊1 ⊆ 𝑊2 or 𝑊2 ⊆ 𝑊1 (one is contained in the other)
Suppose not,
there exist elements 𝑢, 𝑣 such that 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊1 but 𝑢 ∉ 𝑊2 and 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2 but 𝑣 ∉ 𝑊1
We have 𝑢, 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 .
Given 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2 is a subspace of 𝑉, we have 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 ∪ 𝑊2
Hence 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 or 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2
Case i: suppose 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 Case ii: suppose 𝑢 + 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2
Since 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊1 ⟹ −𝑢 ∈ 𝑊1 Since 𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2 ⟹ −𝑣 ∈ 𝑊2
∴ −𝑢 + (𝑢 + 𝑣) ∈ 𝑊1 ∴ 𝑢 + 𝑣 + (−𝑣) ∈ 𝑊2
𝑣 ∈ 𝑊1 which is ⟹⟸ to 𝑣 ∉ 𝑊1 𝑢 ∈ 𝑊1 which is ⟹⟸ to 𝑢 ∉ 𝑊2
MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES
In both the cases, we get a contradiction for our assumption.
∴ Our assumption is wrong.
Hence, either 𝑊1 ⊆ 𝑊2 or 𝑊2 ⊆ 𝑊1 (one is contained in the other).

MA2201 – UNIT I- VECTOR SPACES