SOLUTION: Let v1, v2, v3 be nonzero vectors in R4 where v3 = 3·v2. Show that v1 is a linear combination of v2 and v3 if and only if v1 = a·v2 for some a ∈ R.

Algebra ->  Matrices-and-determiminant -> SOLUTION: Let v1, v2, v3 be nonzero vectors in R4 where v3 = 3·v2. Show that v1 is a linear combination of v2 and v3 if and only if v1 = a·v2 for some a ∈ R.      Log On


   



Question 1177931: Let v1, v2, v3 be nonzero vectors in R4 where v3 = 3·v2.
Show that v1 is a linear combination of v2 and v3 if and only if v1 = a·v2 for some a ∈ R.

Answer by robertb(5830) About Me  (Show Source):
You can put this solution on YOUR website!
(==>) Let v%5B1%5D+=+a%2Av%5B2%5D for some real a.
==> v%5B1%5D+=+a%2Av%5B2%5D+%2B+0%2Av%5B3%5D ==> v%5B1%5D is a linear combination of v%5B2%5D and v%5B3%5D.

(<==) Let v%5B1%5D be a linear combination of v%5B2%5D and v%5B3%5D.
==> v%5B1%5D+=+alpha%2Av%5B2%5D+%2B+beta%2Av%5B3%5D for some real alpha, beta.
<==> v%5B1%5D+=+alpha%2Av%5B2%5D+%2B+beta%2A%283%2Av%5B2%5D%29 , by hypothesis.
==> v%5B1%5D+=+%28alpha+%2B+3beta%29%2Av%5B2%5D, and therefore v%5B1%5D+=+a%2Av%5B2%5D for a+=+%28alpha+%2B+3beta%29

The statement is thus proved.