MATH 214 Linear Algebra Tutorial 3 23–24 March 2026

(Afrikaans op bl. 3)

Basis and Dimension; Coordinate vector

1. Is the set {1 + x + x2 , 1 + 2x + 3x2 , 1 + 3x + 5x2 } a basis for the vector
space P2 of polynomials of degree at most 2?
2. Determine which of the following sets is a basis for the vector space V =
{(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) ∈ R4 | x1 − x2 + x3 − x4 = 0}:

(a) S1 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0)}

(b) S2 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 0, 0, 0)}
(c) S3 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 1, 0, 0)}
(d) S4 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 1, 0, 0), (1, 3, 4, 2)}.
3. (a) Give a conceptual reason (i.e. without a big computation) why
{(1, 1, 3), (2, 3, 1)} cannot be a basis for R3 .
(b) Give a conceptual reason why {(1, 2, 3, 4), (2, 3, 4, 5), (1, 1, 2, 2),
(4, 3, 2, 1), (12, 8, 6, 4)} cannot be a basis for R4 .
4. In each of the following, you are given a vector space V , an ordered basis B
and a coordinate vector [v]B of v ∈ V with respect to B. In each problem
below, determine v.
 
3
(a) V = P1 , B = {1 + 2x, 2 + 3x} and [v]B = .
−2
 
3
(b) V = P2 , B = {1 + x, 1 − x2 , x − x2 } and [v]B = −2.
1
(c) V = M22 , the vector space of 2 × 2-matrices,
       
1 1 2 1 0 0 1 0
B= , , , ,
−1 1 1 −1 0 1 1 1

1
2
and [v]B = 
−1.


−2
5. Find a basis for each of the following vector spaces V and consequently
write down its dimension:
(a) A matrix A is called symmetric if it equals its transpose, i.e. if
A = AT . Let V be the vector space of 3 × 3 symmetric matrices,
compute a basis and its dimension.

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 (b) V ⊂ R4 is the solution set to the system

x1 + x 2 − x 3 − x 4 = 0
x1 − 2x2 + x3 − 2x4 = 0

(c) V = {p(x) ∈ P3 | p′ (1) = 0}.

6. (a) Find a basis B for the vector space

V = {p ∈ P2 | p(2) = 0}.

(b) Consider p(x) = x2 + x − 6. Show that p ∈ V .

(c) Determine the coordinate vector of p with respect to your basis B,
i.e. determine [p]B .
7. Let V = P2 be a vector space with normal addition and scalar multipli-
cation, with basis given by

B = {1 − x + x2 , 1 + 2x + x2 , x2 − 1}.

Find the coordinate vector [v]B of v with respect to B if p(x) = x2 .

8. To sift a list of vectors, you take them in order and remove any vector that
is either 0 or a linear combination of previous vectors. You will end up
with a linearly independent list with the same span as the original. Sift the
following (ordered!) lists of vectors to obtain a basis for the corresponding
vector spaces:
(a) V = M22 , the space of 2 × 2 matrices. The list is:
             
1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 1
, , , , , , .
0 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 5

(b) V = {p ∈ P2 | p′ (1) = 0} (i.e. the set of polynomials of degree at

most 2, whose first derivative evaluates to 0 when x = 1). The list
(check first that they are elements of V !):

1 + x + x2 , 1 − 2x + x2 , 0, 2 − 4x + 2x2 , 5, 2x − x2 .

2
 MATH 214 Lineêre Algebra Tutoriaal 3 23–24 Maart 2026
(English on page 1)

Basis en Dimensies; Koördinaatvektor

1. Is die versameling {1 + x + x2 , 1 + 2x + 3x2 , 1 + 3x + 5x2 } ’n basis vir die
vektorruimte P2 van polinome van graad hoogtens 2?
2. Bepaal watter van die volgende versamelings ’n basis is vir die vektor-
ruimte V = {(x1 , x2 , x3 , x4 ) ∈ R4 | x1 − x2 + x3 − x4 = 0}:
(a) S1 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0)}
(b) S2 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 0, 0, 0)}
(c) S3 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 1, 0, 0)}
(d) S4 = {(1, 1, 1, 1), (0, 1, 1, 0), (1, 1, 0, 0), (1, 3, 4, 2)}.
3. (a) Gee ’n konsepsuele rede (d.w.s. sonder ’n groot berekening) waarom
{(1, 1, 3), (2, 3, 1)} nie ’n basis vir R3 kan wees nie.
(b) Gee ’n konsepsuele rede waarom {(1, 2, 3, 4), (2, 3, 4, 5), (1, 1, 2, 2),
(4, 3, 2, 1), (12, 8, 6, 4)} nie ’n basis vir R4 kan wees nie.
4. In elk van die volgende word ’n vektorruimte V , ’n geordende basis B en
’n koördinaatvektor [v]B van v ∈ V met betrekking tot B gegee. Bepaal v
in elk van die volgende.
 
3
(a) V = P1 , B = {1 + 2x, 2 + 3x} en [v]B = .
−2
 
3
(b) V = P2 , B = {1 + x, 1 − x2 , x − x2 } en [v]B = −2.
1
(c) V = M22 , die vektorruimte van 2 × 2-matrikse,
       
1 1 2 1 0 0 1 0
B= , , , ,
−1 1 1 −1 01 1 1 1
 
1
2
en [v]B = 
−1.


−2
5. Vind ’n basis vir elkeen van die volgende vektorruimtes V en bereken dan
sy dimensie:
(a) ’n Matriks word simmetries genoem indien dit gelyk is aan sy eie
transponent, dit wil sê indien A = AT . Laat V die vektorruimte van
3 × 3 simmetriese matrikse wees. Bereken ’n basis vir V en dus sy
dimensie.

3
 (b) V ⊂ R4 is oplossingsversameling van die stelsel

x1 + x 2 − x 3 − x 4 = 0
x1 − 2x2 + x3 − 2x4 = 0

(c) V = {p(x) ∈ P3 | p′ (1) = 0}.

6. (a) Bepaal ’n basis B vir die vektorruimte

V = {p ∈ P2 | p(2) = 0}.

(b) Beskou p(x) = x2 + x − 6. Toon aan dat p ∈ V .

(c) Bepaal die koördinaatvektor van p met betrekking tot jou basis B,
en dus bepaal [p]B .
7. Laat V = P2 , ’n vektorruimte met gewone optelling en skalaarveelvoud en
basis gegee deur

B = {1 − x + x2 , 1 + 2x + x2 , x2 − 1}.

Bepaal die koördinaatvektor [p]B van p met betrekking tot B as p(x) = x2

8. Om ’n lys vektore te sif, neem jy hulle in volgorde en haal enigeen uit die
lys wat 0 is of ’n lineêre kombinasie van voorafgaande vektore is. Jy sal
opeindig met ’n lys vektore wat lineêr onafhanklik is en dieselfde span as
die oorspronklike lys het.
Sif die volgende (geordende) lys vektore om ’n basis vir die ooreenkomstige
vektorruimte te kry:
(a) V = M22 , die ruimte van 2 × 2 matrikse. Die lys is:
             
1 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 3 1
, , , , , , .
0 1 1 1 1 2 0 0 1 0 1 1 2 5

(b) V = {p ∈ P2 | p′ (1) = 0} (m.a.w. die versameling polinome van

graad hoogstens 2 wie se eerste afgeleide op 0 uitwerk as ons dit by
x = 1 evalueer. Die lys is (toets eers of elkeen we ’n element van V
is!):
1 + x + x2 , 1 − 2x + x2 , 0, 2 − 4x + 2x2 , 5, 2x − x2 .