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The question is as follows:

Is the set of all vectors $x = [x_1, x_2, x_3, x_4]^T$ that are linear combinations of $[4, 2, 0, 1]^T$ and $[6, 3, -1, 2]^T$ and in addition satisfy the equation $x_1 = 2x_2$ a subspace of $\mathbb{R}^4$?

Could someone give me some hints on where to start with this problem?

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    Why not just verify that it's a subspace directly? (Show that it's closed under scalar multiplication and vector addition, and non-empty.) Note the two vectors satisfy the given equation.2012-03-27

2 Answers 2

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Since the vectors $\vec{x}=[4,2,0,1]^T$ and $\vec{y} = [6,3,-1,2]^T$ both satisfy $x_1 = 2x_2$, it's not hard to see that all linear combinations of $\vec{x}$ and $\vec{y}$ will also satisfy this equation. Hence this equation is redundant. Now the only question that remains is whether the set of linear combinations of $\vec{x}$ and $\vec{y}$ is a subspace. Do you see the answer?

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Here is a roadmap:

  1. Prove that the set of all linear combinations of two vectors is a subspace.

  2. Prove that the set of all vectors whose coordinates satisfy a linear equation is a subspace.

  3. Prove that the intersection of two subspaces is a subspace.

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    @DaltonConley, *One* vector is *not* a subspace, unless it's the zero vector.2012-03-27