MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS

#1. Page 242; Exercise 2. Which of the following sets of vectors are bases for R3 ?
   
 1 0 
(a)  2  ,  1 
0 −1
 
       
 1 2 4 0 
(b)  1  ,  3 , 1 , 1 
−1 4 −1 −1
 
     
 3 −1 0 
(c)  2  ,  2 , 1 
2 1 0
 
       
 1 0 3 0 
(d)  0  ,  2 , 4 , 1 
0 −1 1 0
 

Solution: (a) Not a basis. The vector space R3 has dimension 3. According to Corollary 4.5, any subset of
2 < 3 vectors cannot span R3 . Hence this subset cannot be a basis.
(b) Not a basis. According to Corollary 4.4, any subset of 4 > 3 vectors must be linearly dependent.
Hence this subset cannot be a basis.
(c) A basis. Since this subset has 3 vectors, if we show that it is linearly independent then we may
conclude it is a basis by Theorem 4.12. Indeed, consider the equation
       
3 −1 0 0 3 a1 − a2 = 0
a1  2  + a2  2  + a3  1  =  0  =⇒ 2 a1 + 2 a2 + a3 = 0
2 1 0 0 2 a1 + a2 = 0
We find the following augmented matrix and its reduced row echelon form:
   
3 −1 0 0 1 0 0 0 a1 = 0
 2 2 1 0  =⇒  0 1 0 0  =⇒ a2 = 0
2 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 a3 = 0
Hence the only solution is a1 = a2 = a3 = 0. This shows that the subset is linearly independent, and so it
must be a basis for R3 .
(d) Not a basis. According to Corollary 4.4, any subset of 4 > 3 vectors must be linearly dependent.
Hence this subset cannot be a basis.

#2. Page 242; Exercise 3. Which of the following sets of vectors are bases for R4 ?
       
(a) 1 0 0 1 , 0 1 0 0 , 1 1 1 1 , 0 1 1 1
     
(b) 1 −1 0 2 , 3 −1 2 1 , 1 0 0 1
         
(c) −2 4 6 4 , 0 1 2 0 , −1 2 3 2 , −3 2 5 6 , −2 −1 0 4
1
2 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS

       
(d) 0 0 1 1 , −1 1 1 2 , 1 1 0 0 , 2 1 2 1

Solution: (a) A basis. The vector space R4 has dimension 4. Since this subset has 4 vectors, if we show
that it is linearly independent then we may conclude it is a basis by Theorem 4.12. Indeed, consider the
equation
         
a1 1 0 0 1 + a2 0 1 0 0 + a3 1 1 1 1 + a4 0 1 1 1 = 0 0 0 0

We may express this as the linear system

   
a1 + a3 = 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0
a2 + a3 + a4 = 0  0 1 1 1 0   0 1 0 0 0 
=⇒   =⇒  
a3 + a4 = 0  0 0 1 1 0   0 0 1 0 0 
a1 + a3 + a4 = 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

Hence the only solution is a1 = a2 = a3 = a4 = 0. This shows that the subset is linearly independent, and
so it must be a basis for R4 .
(b) Not a basis. According to Corollary 4.5, any subset of 3 < 4 vectors cannot span R4 . Hence this
subset cannot be a basis.
(c) Not a basis. According to Corollary 4.4, any subset of 5 > 4 vectors must be linearly dependent.
Hence this subset cannot be a basis.
(d) A basis. Since this subset has 4 vectors, if we show that it is linearly independent then we may
conclude it is a basis by Theorem 4.12. Indeed, consider the equation
         
a1 0 0 1 1 + a2 −1 1 1 2 + a3 1 1 0 0 + a4 2 1 2 1 = 0 0 0 0

We may express this as the linear system

   
− a2 + a3 + 2 a4 = 0 0 −1 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
a2 + a3 + a4 = 0  0 1 1 1 0   0 1 0 0 0 
=⇒   =⇒  
a1 + a2 + 2 a4 = 0  1 1 0 2 0   0 0 1 0 0 
a1 + 2 a2 + a4 = 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0

Hence the only solution is a1 = a2 = a3 = a4 = 0. This shows that the subset is linearly independent, and
so it must be a basis for R4 .

3
#3. Page 242; Exercise
 8. In Exercises 7 and 8, determine which of the given subsets form a basis for R .
2
Express the vector  1  as a linear combination of the vectors in each subset that is a basis.
3
       
 2 1 1 1 
(a)  1  ,  2  ,  1  ,  5 
3 1 4 1
 
     
 1 2 3 
(b)  1  ,  2  ,  4 
2 0 −1
 

Solution: (a) Not a basis. The vector space R3 has dimension 3. According to Corollary 4.4, any subset of
4 > 3 vectors must be linearly dependent. Hence this subset cannot be a basis.
 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS 3

(b) A basis. Since this subset has 3 vectors, if we show that it spans R3 then we may conclude it is a
basis by Theorem 4.12. Indeed, consider the equation
       
1 2 3 a a1 + 2 a2 + 3 a3 = a
a1  1  + a2  2  + a3  4  =  b  =⇒ a1 + 2 a2 + 4 a3 = b
2 0 −1 c 2 a1 − a3 = c
We find the following augmented matrix and its reduced row echelon form:
 
−a+b+c
1 2 3 a 1 0 0
 
2
 
 1 2

4 b 

=⇒  0 1 0 9 a−7 b−c 
 4 
2 0 −1 c 0 0 1 −a + b
This shows that the subset is is a spanning set, and so it must be a basis for R3 . When a = 2, b = 1, and
c = 3 we find the values a1 = 1, a2 = 2, and a3 = −1. Hence we have the linear combination
       
2 1 2 3
 1  = (1)  1  + (2)  2  + (−1)  4 
3 2 0 −1

#4. Page 242; Exercise 11. Find a basis for the subspace W of R3 spanned by
       
 1 3 11 7 
 2  ,  2  ,  10  ,  6  .
2 1 7 4
 

What is the dimension of W ?

Solution: We determine which vectors can be expressed as linear combinations of the others. To this end,
consider the equation
         
1 3 11 7 0 a1 + 3 a2 + 11 a3 + 7 a4 = 0
a1  2  + a2  2  + a3  10  + a4  6  =  0  =⇒ 2 a1 + 2 a2 + 10 a3 + 6 a4 = 0
2 1 7 4 0 2 a1 + a2 + 7 a3 + 4 a4 = 0
We find the following augmented matrix and its reduced row echelon form:
   
1 3 11 7 0 1 0 2 1 0
 2 2 10 6 0  =⇒  0 1 3 2 0 .
2 1 7 4 0 0 0 0 0 0
The variables a1 and a2 are the pivot variables, so the vectors can all be expressed as linear combinations of
the first two vectors. Hence a basis for W is
   
 1 3 
 2 , 2  =⇒ dim W = 2.
2 1
 

#5. Page 243; Exercise 14. Let

       
1 0 0 1 1 1 −1 1
S= , , , .
0 1 1 0 1 1 1 −1
Find a basis for the subspace W = span S of M22 .
4 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS

Solution: We determine which vectors can be expressed as linear combinations of the others. To this end,
consider the equation
         
1 0 0 1 1 1 −1 1 0 0
a1 + a2 + a3 + a4 = .
0 1 1 0 1 1 1 −1 0 0
We may express this as the linear system
   
a1 + a3 − a4 = 0 1 0 1 −1 0 1 0 1 −1 0
a2 + a3 + a4 = 0  0 1 1 1 0   0 1 1 1 0 
=⇒   =⇒  
a2 + a3 + a4 = 0  0 1 1 1 0   0 0 0 0 0 
a1 + a3 − a4 = 0 1 0 1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0
The variables a1 and a2 are the pivot variables, so the matrices can all be expressed as linear combinations
of the first two matrices. Hence a basis for W is
   
1 0 0 1
,
0 1 1 0

#6. Page 243; Exercise 15. Find all values of a for which
 2     
a 0 1 , 0 a 2 , 1 0 1
is a basis for R3 .

Solution: It suffices to find all values of a for which this subset is a spanning set for R3 . To this end, consider
the equation
a1 a2 0 1 + a2 0 a 2 + a3 1 0 1 = x y z .
       

We may express this as the linear system

a2 a1 a2
 
+ a3 = x 0 1 x
a a2 = y =⇒  0 a 0 y .
a1 + 2 a2 + a3 = z 1 2 1 z
The reduced row echelon form for the augmented matrix is
 a x+2 y−a z 
1 0 0 a3 −a

 0 1 0 y 
.
 a 
y+a2 z
0 0 1 −x−2a2a−1

Hence the subset is a spanning set precisely when a3 6= a, i.e., a 6= −1, 0, 1.

#7. Page 243; Exercise 16. Find a basis for the subspace W of M33 consisting of all symmetric matrices.

 
Solution: The subspace of interest is W = A ∈ M33  AT = A . If we write
   
a11 a12 a13 a11 a21 a31
A =  a21 a22 a23  =⇒ AT =  a12 a22 a32  .
a31 a32 a33 a13 a23 a33
 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS 5

Hence AT = A precisely when a21 = a12 , a31 = a13 , and a32 = a23 . This means
       
a11 a12 a13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
A =  a12 a22 a23  = a11  0 0 0  + a22  0 1 0  + a33  0 0 0 
a13 a23 a33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
     
0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0
+ a12  1 0 0  + a13  0 0 0  + a23  0 0 1  .
0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Hence a basis for the subspace of all symmetric 3 × 3 matrices is
           
 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 
 0 0 0 , 0 1 0 , 0 0 0 , 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 , 0 0 1 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
 

#8. Page 243; Exercise 17. Find a basis for the subspace of M33 consisting of all diagonal matrices.

Solution: 3 × 3 diagonal matrices are in the form

       
a11 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
A =  0 a22 0  = a11  0 0 0  + a22  0 1 0  + a33  0 0 0 .
0 0 a33 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
Hence a basis for the subspace of all diagonal 3 × 3 matrices is
     
 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
 0 0 0 , 0 1 0 , 0 0 0 
0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
 

#9. Page 243; Exercise 19(a), (b). In Exercises 19 and 20, find a basis for the given subspaces of R3 and
R4 .  
a
(a) All vectors of the form  b , where b = a + c
c
 
a
(b) All vectors of the form  b , where b = a
c

Solution: (a) Such matrices are in the form

     
a 1 0
A =  a + c  = a 1  + c 1 .
c 0 1
Hence a basis for the subspace is
   
 1 0 
 1 , 1 
0 1
 
6 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS

(b) Such matrices are in the form

     
a 1 0
A =  a  = a 1  + c 0 .
c 0 1

Hence a basis for the subspace is

   
 1 0 
 1 , 0 
0 1
 

#10.Page 251; Exercise 2. Let

 
1 1 −2
A =  −2 −2 4 .
−1 −1 2
(a) Find the set of all solutions to A x = 0.
(b) Express each solution as a linear combination of two vectors in R3 .
(c) Sketch these vectors in a three-dimensional coordinate system to show that the solution space is a
plane through the origin.

Solution: (a) The system A x = 0 has the following augmented matrix, for which we compute its reduced
row echelon form:
   
1 1 −2 0 1 1 −2 0
 −2 −2 4 0  =⇒  0 0 0 0  x + y − 2 z = 0.
−1 −1 2 0 0 0 0 0

Hence y = r and z = s are arbitrary, so that the solution is

x = −r + 2 s, y = r, and z = s for arbitrary real numbers r and s.

(b) We may express this solution in terms of vectors

      
x −r + 2 s −1 2
x= y = r  = r 1  + s 0 
z s 0 1

(c) The set of solutions is the plane x + y − 2 z = 0.

#11. Page 252; Exercise 5. In Exercises 3 through 10, find a basis for and and the dimension of the solution
space of the given homogeneous system.

x1 + 2 x2 − x3 + 3 x4 = 0
2 x1 + 2 x2 − x3 + 2 x4 = 0
x1 + 3 x3 + 3 x4 = 0
 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS 7

Solution: We find the following augmented matrix and its reduced row echelon form:

x1 r
   
1 2 −1 3 0 1 0 0 −1 0
   
  8
 x2   −3 r
 
8

 2 2 −1 2 0  =⇒  0 1 0 0  =⇒ =
     
3  x   −4 r 
4  3   3 
1 0 3 3 0 0 0 1 3 0
x4 r

where r is an arbitrary variable. Hence a basis for the set of solutions is

 
 1 

 
 − 8
  


 3  =⇒ dimension = 1.
  −4 

  3 


 

1

#12. Page 252; Exercise 7. In Exercises 3 through 10, find a basis for and and the dimension of the solution
space of the given homogeneous system.
 
 x
1  1 
  
1 2 1 2 0
 1 2 2 1 2   x2  
  x3  =  0  .


 2 4 3 3 3     0 
x4 
0 0 1 −1 −1 0
x5

Solution: We find the following augmented matrix and its reduced row echelon form:
   
1 2 1 2 1 0 1 2 0 3 0 0
 1 2 2 1 2 0   0 0 1 −1 0 0 

 2 4 3
 =⇒  .
3 3 0   0 0 0 0 1 0 
0 0 1 −1 −1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Hence x2 = r and x4 = s are arbitrary variables, so that the general solution to the homogeneous system is
       
x1 −2 r − 3 s −2 −3
 x2   r   1   0 
       
 x3  =  s  = r 0  + s 1 .
       
 x4   s   0   1 
x5 0 0 0

Hence a basis for the set of solutions is

   

 −2 −3 
 1   0 

 
   
 0 , 1  =⇒ dimension = 2.
   


  0   1  

 
0 0
 
8 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS

#13. Page 252; Exercise 12. In Exercises 11 and 12, find a basis for the null space of each given matrix A.
 
1 −1 2 1 0
 2
 0 1 −1 3  
A=  5 −1 3 0 3  
 4 −2 5 1 3 
1 3 −4 −5 6

Solution: The null space of A is the set of solutions x to the linear system A x = 0. We find the following
augmented matrix for this system and its reduced row echelon form:
   
1 −1 2 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
 2
 0 1 −1 3 0  
 0 1 0 −3
 6 0 

 5 −1 3 0 3 0  =⇒  0 0 1 −1 3 0 .
   
 4 −2 5 1 3 0   0 0 0 0 0 0 
1 3 −4 −5 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Hence x4 = r and x5 = s are arbitrary variables, so that the general solution to the homogeneous system is
       
x1 0 0 0
 x2   3 r − 6 s   3   −6 
       
 x3  =  r − 3 s  = r  1  + s  −3  .
       
 x4   r   1   0 
x5 s 0 1
Hence a basis for the null space of A is
   

 0 0 

3 −6

 


 
 



 1 ,
  −3 

1 0

   

 

0 1
 

#14. Lab 6.4 - Page 21; Exercise 1. Let V = R3 . Determine whether the following sets are a basis for V.
It may be possible to decide without any computations. Record your response next to each set.
     
 1 2 0 
a) S =  2  ,  1  ,  3 
1 1 1
 
     
 1 1 0 
b) S =  1  ,  0  ,  1 
0 1 1
 
   
 3 3 
c) S =  1  ,  1 
3 2
 
       
 3 3 3 3 
d) S =  1  ,  1  ,  1  ,  1 
3 2 1 0
 

Solution: a) We perform the following commands in Matlab:

>> A = [1 2 1; 2 1 1; 0 3 1]’

A =
 MA 265 HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT #8 SOLUTIONS 9

1 2 0
2 1 3
1 1 1

>> rref(A)

ans =

1 0 2
0 1 -1
0 0 0
We see that the vectors in S are linearly dependent, so S is not a basis for V.
b) We perform the following commands in Matlab:
>> A = [1 1 0; 1 0 1; 0 1 1]’

A =

1 1 0
1 0 1
0 1 1

>> rref(A)

ans =

1 0 0
0 1 0
0 0 1
We see that the vectors in S are linearly independent, so S is a basis for V.
c) We see from (b) that V is a 3-dimensional vector space. Since S has 2 < 3 elements, it cannot be a
spanning set for V. Hence S is not a basis for V.
d) Since S has 4 > 3 elements, it cannot be linearly independent. Hence S is not a basis for V.