Basis
• Definition:
V：a vector space
S ={v1, v2, …, vn} V
• S spans V
• S is linearly independent
S is called as a basis for V.
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Ex : Let V = 𝑅2 and S = {(1, 0), (0, 1)}be a subset of 𝑅2 .
We can show that 𝑆 𝑓𝑜𝑟𝑚𝑠 a basis for V. (called as standard basis of 𝑅2 )
1) Take any vector (a, b) in 𝑅2 .
We can write (a, b) = a(1, 0) + b (0, 1)
Every vector in 𝑅2 can be written as linear combination of vectors in S.
Therefore S is a spanning set of 𝑅2 .
2) Also if we consider, c1(1,0) + c2(0,1)= (0,0)
This leads to a system c1= 0
c2 = 0
i.e c1=c2=0 is the only solution to the above vector equation.
So S is linearly independent and hence forms a basis for 𝑅2
Similarly
The standard basis for R3 : {e1 = (1, 0, 0), e2 = (0, 1, 0), e3=(0, 0, 1)}
The standard basis for Rn : {e1, e2, …, en}where,e1=(1,0,…,0), e2=(0,1,…,0),……
en=(0,0,…,1)
• Ex : Let V = 𝑅 2 and S = {(1, 2), (3, 1)}be a subset
V. Determine whether S forms a basis for V.
Solution :
1) We must determine whether an arbitrary vector u = (a, b) in R 2 can be written as a
linear combination of 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 .
i.e, To determine whether real nos. 𝑘1 , 𝑘2 exists such that u = 𝑘1 𝑣1 + 𝑘2 𝑣2
(a, b) = 𝑘1 (1, 2) + 𝑘2 (3, 1)
This leads to a system;
𝑘1 + 3𝑘2 = a
2𝑘1 + 𝑘2 = b
1 3
Det(A) = ≠0
2 1
The above system has unique solution for any vector (a, b)
i.e. We can write an arbitrary vector u = (a, b) in R 2 as a linear combination of
𝑣1 , 𝑣2 . Therefor S is a spanning set of R 2
2) Consider vector equation c1v1 + c2 v 2 = 0
𝑐1 (1, 2) + 𝑐2 (3, 1)=(0, 0)………………………….(i)
This leads to a system;
𝑐1 + 3𝑐2 = 0
2𝑐1 + 𝑐2 = 0
1 3
Det(A) = ≠0
2 1
The above system has unique solution .i.e. 𝑐1 = 𝑐2 = 0 is the only solution to ve
ctor equation (i)
The set S is Linearly independent.
Therefore set S is a basis of vector space 𝑅 2
Theorem : Any two basis sets of a vector space V has
same number of elements.
For example :
As we proved ,S= {(1, 0),(0,1) } forms a basis for R2 and cardinality of S is 2.
It means any other basis set of R2 must contain exactly 2 vectors.
Similarly any basis R3 must contain 3 vectors.
This induce the concept of Dimension of a vector space.
Dimension of a vector space :
The dimension of a vector space V is defined to be the number of vectors in a basis
set of V.
Dimension of vector space V is denoted by dim(V).
For example dim ( R2)= 2
dim(R3 ) = 3
In general dim(Rn)=n
• Theorem : If V is a vector space having
dimension n and S is a subset of V containing
exactly n elements then S is a basis of V if S
satisfy any one of the following conditions.
1) S spans V.
2) S is linearly independent.
Examples: V=R3 and S={(1.-3,0 ), (2,-5,6), (7,0,11)} check if S is a basis for R3
Solution :
We know that dim (R3) = 3 and S is a set having exactly 3 elements. Hence It is
enough to check any one condition.
Let us check if the set is linearly independent or dependent.
Consider vector equation c1v1 + c2 v 2 + c3v 3 = 0
1 2 7 0
𝑐1 −3 + 𝑐2 −5 + 𝑐3 0 = 0
0 6 11 0
This leads to a homogeneous system
c1 + 2 c2 + 7c3 =0
-3c1 -5 c2 = 0
6𝑐2 + 11𝑐3 = 0
1 2 7
Where coefficient matrix A= −3 −5 0 and det A ≠ 0
0 6 11
A is invertible .
The system has unique solution i.e zero solution . c1=c2=c3= 0 .
set S is linearly independent.
Hence it is basis of V.
•
Ex : Check whether set S = {(2, -1, 3), (4, 1, 2), (8, -1, 8)} is a basis of 𝑅3 .
Solution :
We know that dim (R3) = 3 and S is a set having exactly 3 elements. Hence it is enough to
check any one condition.
Let us check if the set is linearly independent or dependent.
Consider vector equation c1v1 + c2 v 2 + c3v 3 = 0
2 4 8 0
𝑐1 −1 + 𝑐2 1 + 𝑐3 −1 = 0
3 2 8 0
This leads to a homogeneous system
2c1 + 4c2 + 8c3 = 0
-c1 + c2 -− 𝑐3 = 0
3𝑐1 +2𝑐2 + 8𝑐3 = 0
2 4 8
Where coefficient matrix A= −1 1 −1
3 2 8
det A =2 (8 + 2) – 4(-8+3) + 8 (-2 - 3) = 20 +20-40 = 0
A is not invertible .
The system has infinite solutions .
set S is linearly dependent.
Hence Set S is not a basis of V.