yasusar0

2022-07-15

Can two n-dimensional vectors that are not scalar multiples of each other be added to make any point on an n-dimensional coordinate plan?
If we have $u\phantom{\rule{1px}{0ex}}u,v\phantom{\rule{1px}{0ex}}v\in {\mathbb{R}}^{n}$ and $cu\phantom{\rule{1px}{0ex}}u\ne v\phantom{\rule{1px}{0ex}}v$ where $c\in \mathbb{R}$, then is

Note: Bolded letters represent vectors.

Do you have a similar question?

Recalculate according to your conditions!

Selden1f

Expert

We know that ${\mathbb{R}}^{\mathbb{n}}$ has a basis of n vectors (such as the standard unit basis {${e}_{1},{e}_{2},....{e}_{n}$}). By a known theorem from linear algebra, we then have that any set of less than n vectors in ${\mathbb{R}}^{\mathbb{n}}$ does not span ${\mathbb{R}}^{\mathbb{n}}$. Hence, as long as n>2, vectors u and v could not span ${\mathbb{R}}^{\mathbb{n}}$. That is, $\mathrm{\exists }$ ${a}_{1}...{a}_{n}$ such that $\mathrm{\forall }m,n\in \mathbb{R}$, $mu+nv\ne \left({a}_{1}...{a}_{n}\right)$, which means the given statement cannot be true.

Still Have Questions?

Free Math Solver