Tutorial 6

SC-116 Algebraic Structures Autumn 2015

(Vector Spaces and subspaces)

(1) Let V be a set of real sequences (a1 , a2 , ..., an , ...) such that
V is a vector space over R.

a2i is finite. Prove that

(2) Let W1 and W2 be two subspaces of of a vector space V .

(a) Prove that W1 W2 is a subspace of V .
(b) Prove that W1 W2 is a subspace of V if and only if W1 W2 or W2 W1 .
Solution:
To prove this statement, first show that, if W1 , W2 are subspaces of a vector space V
and W1 W2 is a subspace, then W1 W2 or W2 W1 . Choose v1 , v2 W1 ,
W2 respectively. Then obviously v1 , v2 W1 W2 . But by our assumption,
v1 + v2 W1 W2 . This indicates that v1 + v2 W1 or v1 + v2 W2 . Now, suppose
the former. Then again, by closure under addition, v1 + v2 v1 W1 . Thus,v2 W1 .
Since we chose v2 W2 , we have shown than W2 W1 suppose that v1 + v2 W2 .
Then by the same reasoning, we have that v1 + v2 v2 W2 . Thus, v1 W2 . But
v1 was chosen arbitrarily in w1. Thus, in this case,W1 W2 . It follows that either
W1 W2 or W2 W1
Now, we must prove the converse. We wish to show that, given either W1 W2
or W2 W1 , we have that W1 W2 is a subspace of V . Choose a scalar c F and
a vectorv W1 W2 . Then v is an element of W1 or W2 . But in either case, since
W1 and W2 are subspaces, cv is an element of W1 or W2 . Thus, cv W1 W2 . Now,
choosev1 , v2 W1 W2 . If both vectors are in one subspace, the conclusion follows
. Suppose then, without loss of generality, that v1 W1 and v2 W2 . 2 Suppose
also that W1 W2 . Then since v1 W1 implies that v1 W2 and W2 is a subspace,
then v1 + v2 W2 and, thus, v1 + v2 W1 W2 A similar result holds for W2 W1
Finally, it remains to be seen that the zero vector is in W1 W2 But this is clear,
since the zero vector is in W1 and W2 . It must also, therefore, be in their union. We
conclude that W1 W2 is a subspace and the proof is complete.
Alternative method for converse part:
if W1 W2 or W2 W1 . is true then W1 W2 is equal to W2 or W1 respectively.
Now W1 as well as W2 are subspaces of W . (from part a)
Hence, if W1 W2 or W2 W1 .
then W1 W2 is a subspace of V .
(3) Let V be the vector space of all functions f from R into R. Which of the following
sets of functions are subspaces of V ?
(a) all f such that f (x2 ) = f (x)2
(b) all f such that f (0) = f (1)
(c) all f such that f (3) = 1 + f (5)
(d) all f such that f (1) = 0;
(e) all f which are continuous.
1

Solution:
a) S = all f such that f (x2 ) = f (x)2 Consider f1 (x) = 1. clearly f1 S But
2 f1
/ S. Therefore, S is not a subspace.
b) A= all f such that f (0) = f (1) A is a subspace of v. Verify!
c) B= all f such that f (3) = 1 + f (5)
Say, f1 and g1 are in B. Additionally, f1 (3) = 1 and g1 (3) = 1. Now f1 + g1 (3) =
2 6= 1 + {f1 + g1 }(5) Therefore, B is not a subspace of v.
d)C: all f such that f (1) = 0 Verify that C is a subspace of V .
e) Set of all continuous functions is a subspace of V .
(4) Let V be the vector space of all n n matrices over C. Which of the following
matrices A in V are subspaces of V
(a) all invertible A
(b) all A such that AB = BA, where B is some fixed matrix
(c) all A such that A2 = A
Solution:
a)
H = {A: A invertible} is not a subspace, because the zero-vector which is the zeromatrix is not invertible. So the zerovector is not an element of H, so H cant be a
vectorspace.
Note: consider two matrices with non zero determinant. Say P and P Now
P + (1)P = 0 and 0
/ H. So H is not closed under addition.
b)
I = {A: AB=BA for a fixed matrix B in V} is a subspace, because
a)0, the zeromatrix is in I, because 0B = B0 = 0
b) I is closed under addition: Let A,C in I, thus AB = BA and CB = BC, then,
(A + C)B = AB + CB = BA + BC = B(A + C), thus A + C I
c) let c be a scalar and A I. Now, (cA)B = c(AB) = c(BA) = (cB)A = (Bc)A =
B(cA), thus cA I
C)
J={all A such that A2 = A} is not a subspace of V because it isnt closed under
scalar multiplication. Take for instance the identity-matrix I. Then I is in J, but
(2I)2 = (22 )I 2 = 4I. Thus 2I
/ J.
(5) Let V be the vector space of all functions from R to R. Show that the space of even
functions and the set of odd functions are subspaces of V .
Solution:
The set of even functions is not empty. f1 (x) = x2 and f2 (x) = cos(x). are examples
of even functions. This is a subspace. It is not empty as it contains at least the two
example functions given. It is closed because if f1 , f2 are even and c1 , c2 are scalars
then we have this.
(c1 f1 + c2 f2 )(x) = c1 , f1 (x) + c2 f2 (x) = c1 , f1 (x) + c2 , f2 (x) =
(c1 f1 + c2 f2 ), (x)
Odd functions : f3 (x) = x3 and f4 (x) = sin(x) This is also a subspace; the check is
similar to the prior one.