Questions on vector space / Subspace
Que 1 Let P( x )be the set of n
all polynomials of all degrees whose coefficients come
o from the
field F i.e., P( x ) = a0 + a1 x + a2 x2 + · · · + am x m | ai ∈ F and m ∈ N . Show
that P( x ) is a vector space over F with usual addition of two polynomials and scalar
multiplication to polynomial.
Que 2 Let n ∈ N and let Pn ( x ) be the set of all polynomials of degree less than or equal to n
over a field F, i.e.,
n o
Pn ( x ) = a0 + a1 x + a2 x2 + · · · + am x m | ai ∈ F and m ∈ N with m ≤ n .
Show that Pn ( x ) is a vector space over F with usual addition of two polynomials and
scalar multiplication to polynomial. (Note that Pn ( x ) is a subspace of P( x ) over F)
Que 3 Prove or disprove that the following set V is a vector space over F with usual addition
and scalar multiplication.
(a) Let V = {( x, y) ∈ R2 | xy ≥ 0} and F = R.
(b) Let V = {( x, y) ∈ R2 | x = 3y} and F = R.
(c) Let V = R2 and F = C.
(d) Let V = {(z1 , z2 ) | z1 , z2 ∈ C} and F = R.
(e) Let V = {(z1 , z2 ) | z1 , z2 ∈ C} and F = C.
(f) Let V = {( x, y) ∈ R2 | x + y = 1} and F = R.
(g) Let n ∈ N and let V be the set of all polynomials (with real coefficients) of degree
n and F = R.
Que 4 Let V = {( x, y) | x, y ∈ R} = R2 and F = R. Show that V is not a vector space over R
L J L J
with operations and defined by ( x, y) (u, v) = ( x + u, y + v) and α ( x, y) =
(αx, 0) for all ( x, y), (u, v) ∈ V.
Que 5 Let V = (0, ∞) and F = R. Show that V is a vector space over R with operations
L
defined by x y = xy and α x = x α for all x, y ∈ V.
J L J
and
Que 6 Let V = R2 and F = R. Show that V is a vector space over R with operations
L
and
defined by ( x, y) (u, v) = ( x + u + 2, y + v − 5) and α ( x, y) = (αx + 2α − 2, αy −
J L J
5α + 5) for all ( x, y), (u, v) ∈ V.
Que 7 Let Mm×n (F) be the set of all matrices of order m × n whose entries from F. Show that
Mm×n (F) is a vector space over F with usual matrix addition and scalar multiplication.
Also show that Mm×n (C) is a vector space over R with usual matrix addition and scalar
multiplication.
Que 8 What are the smallest and largest subspaces of Rn over R?
1
a b
Que 9 Let V = a, b ∈ C . Show that V is a subspace of M2×2 (C) over R as well
−b a
as over C.
Que 10 Let a, b and c be fixed elements of a field R. Show that W = {( x, y, z) ∈ R3 : ax + by +
cz = 0} is a subspace of R3 .
Que 11 Give an example of two subspaces W1 and W2 of some vector space V (F) such that
S
their union W1 W2 is not a subspace.
Que 12 Let n ≥ 2 and Let V = Mn×n (F) be the set of all square matrices of order n over F.
Which of the following sets of matrices A are subspaces of V?
(a) all invertible (non-singular) A;
(b) all non-invertible (singular) A;
(c) all A such that AB = BA, where B is a fixed matrix in V;
(d) all A such that A2 = A.
(e) all A such that A T = A.
(f) all A such that A T = − A.
n o
Que 13 Let V = Rn = ( x1 , x2 , · · · , xn ) | xi ∈ R, 1 ≤ i ≤ n be a vector space over R and let
n o
W = ( x1 , x2 , · · · , xn ) ∈ V | x1 = 0 . Prove that W is a subspace of V.
Que 14 Let V = R3 . Which of the following sets W are subspaces of V?
n o
(a) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x1 = 0 ;
n √ o
(b) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x2 = 2x1 ;
n o
(c) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x12 + x12 + x32 = 1 ;
n o
(d) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x12 + x12 + x32 = 0 ;
n o
(e) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x1 + x1 + x3 ≥ 0 ;
n o
(f) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x1 + x1 + x3 = 0 ;
n o
(g) W = ( x1 , x2 , x3 ) ∈ V | x1 = 3x2 & x2 = 3x3 ;
Answer
3. (a) Not, (b) Yes, (c) Not, (d) Yes, (e) Yes, (f) Not, (g) Yes.
8. W = {(0, 0, · · · , 0) ∈ Rn } and Rn are the smallest and largest subspaces of Rn respec-
tively.
12. (a) Not, (b) Yes, (c) Yes, (d) Not, (e) Yes, (f) Yes.
14. (a) Yes, (b) Yes, (c) Not, (d) Yes, (e) Not, (f) Yes, (g) Yes.
