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Problem Set 4

The document outlines Problem Set 4 for a Linear Algebra course, due on February 9, 2026, containing three graded problems and several practice questions. Students are encouraged to submit their work early and are advised on the use of resources, including AI tools, while ensuring understanding of their solutions. Key topics include constructing bases for polynomial functions, properties of vector spaces, and the implications of linear independence and dependence.

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7 views2 pages

Problem Set 4

The document outlines Problem Set 4 for a Linear Algebra course, due on February 9, 2026, containing three graded problems and several practice questions. Students are encouraged to submit their work early and are advised on the use of resources, including AI tools, while ensuring understanding of their solutions. Key topics include constructing bases for polynomial functions, properties of vector spaces, and the implications of linear independence and dependence.

Uploaded by

kepije5675
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Linear Algebra—Winter/Spring 2026

Instructors: A.S. Arora, S. Das, G. R. Kurri


Problem Set 4
Due: 8 PM, Monday February 9, 2026

Instructions
a. Timeline. Note for this week: The full assignment will contain only 3 graded problems.
It is due on Monday at 8:00 PM (you are encouraged to submit by this Saturday).
There will be no assignment next week.
b. Punctuality. Aim to get the assignment done three days prior to the deadline. We will
not be able to entertain any requests for extensions. If you seek clarification from us
and we do not respond on time, do the following: (a) assume whatever seems most
reasonable, and solve the question under that assumption and (b) ensure you have
evidence for making the clarification request and report the incident to one of the PhD
TAs.
c. Resources. Feel free to use any resource you like (including generative AI tools) to get
help but please make sure you understand what you finally write and submit. The
TAs may ask you to explain the reasoning behind your response if something appears
suspicious.
d. Graded vs Practice Questions. Problems numbered using Arabic numerals (i.e. 1, 2, 3, . . . )
constitute assignment problems that will be graded. Problems numbered using Roman
numerals (i.e. i,ii,iii,. . . ) are practice problems that will not be graded.

1. Let V be the space of polynomial functions over the field F (where F is a subfield of
the complex numbers). Construct a basis for V and prove that it is indeed a basis.
2. Suppose V is a vector space that is spanned by a finite set of vectors β1 . . . βm . Show
that any independent set of vectors in V must be finite and cannot contain more than
m elements. You can use Theorem 6 in Chapter 1 from the text that essentially says,
if A is a matrix with more columns than rows, then AX = 0 has a non-trivial solution.
3. Suppose W ⊊ V where W and V are vector spaces (and V is finite dimensional). Show
that dim W < dim V .
i. How is the dimension of a vector space defined? Using this definition, how would you
argue that the dimension of the zero subspace (i.e. {⃗0}) is 0?
ii. Understand and write down Example 15 in your own words (from Hoffman Kunze).
iii. Show that (a) any set containing the zero vector ⃗0 is linearly dependent, and (b) any
subset of a linearly independent set, is linearly independent.
iv. Suppose P is an n × n invertible matrix. Show that the columns of P form a basis for
Fn .
v. Suppose V is a finite-dimensional vector space and let n = dim V . Show that any
subset of V that contains more than n vectors, is linearly dependent.
vi. Show that for any finite dimensional vector space V , if S and S ′ are both bases for V ,
then |S| = |S ′ |, i.e. S and S ′ have the same number of vectors.
vii. Suppose A is an n × n matrix (over some field F) such that the row vectors of A form
a linearly independent set of vectors in Fn . Prove that A is invertible.

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