This question from linear algebra Suppose you [ have a consistent system of linear equations,

Aine Sellers

Aine Sellers

Answered question

2022-02-22

This question from linear algebra
Suppose you [ have a consistent system of linear equations, with coefficients in R, which are homogeneous - that is, all the bi are 0. Explain why the set of solutions to this system forms a vector space over R. Then, explain why if the system was not homogeneous (i.e. if at least one of the bi is nonzero) the set of solutions would definitely NOT form a vector space over R.
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Answer & Explanation

Haiden Frazier

Haiden Frazier

Beginner2022-02-23Added 10 answers

It is given that we have a consistent system of linear equations with coefficients in R. So, the system is written as Ax=0 which is a homogeneous system with all the bi equal to 0 when Ax=b.
We know that the system Ax=0 is said to be consistent if it has a solution. We have to show that the set of solutions of this homogeneous system form a vector space over R.
Property 1: The set of solutions contains the zero vector.
If we take the vector x as a zero vector i.e., x=0 then A(0)=0. This implies that the set of solutions contain the zero vector.
Property 2: If x,yV then x+yV where V is the set of solutions of the given system.
Let x and y are two solutions of the homogeneous system. Then, we have, Ax=0 and Ay=0.
Now,
A(x+y)=Ax+Ay=0+0=0   A(x+y)=0
Hence, x+y is a solution of the homogeneous system which implies that the set of solutions is closed under addition.
Property 3: If c is any scalar and x is a solution of the homogeneous system, then cx is also a solution of the homogeneous system. Since x is a solution of the homogeneous system, Ax=0.
Now,
A(cx)=c(Ax)=c(0)=0   A(cx)=0
Hence, cx is a solution of the homogeneous system.
Therefore, the set of solutions of the homogeneous system form a vector space over R.
The set of solutions will not form a vector space if we take the non-homogeneous system i.e., Ax=b where b contains atleast one nonzero element.
Reason: If we take x=0,
A(0)=b
b=0
but b is nonzero which implies that A(0)0. Therefore, the set of solutions of the non-homogeneous system does not contain the zero vector and hence, it is not a vector space.

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