Linearly Independent and dependent vectors

Vectors: An ordered set of 'n' numbers (real or complex ) is called an 'n'

dimensional vector, i.e., a set of numbers 𝑥1 , 𝑥2 , … … 𝑥𝑛 written in some
order is a vector of order 'n'.

The 'n' numbers are called the components of the vector. A vector may be
written as a

1.Row vectorX = (x1, x2, x3, ....xn) or

𝑥1
𝑥2
.
2.Column vector X= .
.
(𝑥 𝑛 )

Dimension of a vector

The number of elements in a vector is the dimension of the vector.

Addition of two vectors

Two vectors can be added or subtracted when their dimensions are same.

𝑥1 𝑦1 𝑥1 + 𝑦1
Let 𝑋 = (𝑥2) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑌 = (𝑦2) 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑋 + 𝑌 = (𝑥2 + 𝑦2)
⋮ ⋮ ⋮

Scalar Multiplication of a vector X by a scalar K

𝑥1 𝑘𝑥1
If = (𝑥2) , then 𝑘𝑋 = (𝑘𝑥2)
⋮ ⋮

Linear combination of vectors

Let X1,X2,X3,.......Xn be 'n' vectors and k1, k2, k3, ....kn be 'n' scalars then
linear combination of of vectors by scalars is defined as

k1X1 + k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn.

Linear Independence of vectors

The set of vectors X1,X2,X3,.......Xn are said to be linearly independent if

the linear combination k1X1 + k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn =0 implying the
scalars k1 = k2 = k3 =....kn = 0
Linear dependence of vectors

The set of vectors X1,X2,X3,.......Xn are said to be linearly dependent if

there exists scalars k1, k2, k3, ......kn such that their linear combination

k1X1 + k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn =0 and atleast one of the scalars being
non-zero.

Note:

1.If the set of vectors are linearly dependent, then any vector can be
expressed as a linear combination of remaining vectors.

That is k1 ≠ 0, then k1X1 + k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn =0

→ k1X1 = -[ k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn]

→ X1 = - [ k2X2 + k3X3 +.........knXn]/k1

Matrix representation of vectors

Let X =(x1,x2,x3); Y=(y1,y2,y3); Z=(z1,z2,z3) be three row vectors then

the matrix representation is

𝑋 𝑥1 𝑥2 𝑥3
𝐴 = ( 𝑌 ) = (𝑦1 𝑦2 𝑦3)
𝑍 𝑧1 𝑧2 𝑧3

Note:

If the vectors are given as column vectors, then convert it to row vectors
and then write the matrix form

Linear independence and dependence of vectors by using matrix

representation of vectors

Procedure:Let X,Y,Z be the given vectors

𝑋
Step1: Write the matrix representation as 𝐴 = (𝑌 )
𝑍

Step2: Reduce the matrix A to its echelon form

Step3:

i) If the number of non-zero rows of echelon form = number of

given vectors, then the vectors are linearly independent.
 ii) If number of non-zero rows of echelon form is less than the
number of given vectors, then the vectors are linearly dependent.

Note: (For lower order matrices)

1. The set of vectors are linearly independent if |𝐴| ≠ 0

2. The set of vectors are linearly dependent if |𝐴| = 0

Problems

1)Show that the vectors X1=(1,-1,-1,3); X2 = (2,1,-2,-1) and

X3 = (7,2,-7,4) are linearly independent.

Solution:

Matrix form of the given vectors is

1 −1 −1 3 𝑅1 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤1
𝐴 = (2 1 −2 −1) 𝑅2 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
7 2 −7 4 𝑅3 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤3

Reduce A to its echelon form by forming new rows as given below:

𝑅2′ = 𝑅2 − 2𝑅1; 𝑅3′ = 𝑅3 − 7𝑅1

1−1−1 3 𝑅1′
𝐴~ (0 3 0 −7 ) 𝑅2′
0 9 0 −17 𝑅3′

𝑅3′′ = 𝑅3′ − 3𝑅2′

1−1−1 3 𝑅1′′
𝐴~ 0 3 0 −7 𝑅2′′ which is the echelon form of A
( )
00 0 4 𝑅3′′

Number of non-zero rows of echelon form = 3 = Number of the given

vectors.

Hence the vectors X1, X2, X3 are linearly independent.

𝟏 𝟏 𝟓
2)Show that the vectors
𝑿𝟏 = (𝟏) ; 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟐) ; 𝑿𝟑 = (𝟑) are
𝟐 𝟓 𝟒
dependent and hence find the relation between them.

Solution.

Matrix form of the given vectors is

 𝑋1𝑇 1 1 2 𝑅1 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤1
𝐴 = (𝑋2𝑇 ) = (1 2 5) 𝑅2 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
𝑋3𝑇 5 3 4 𝑅3 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤3

Reduce A to its echelon form by forming new rows.

𝑅2′ = 𝑅2 − 𝑅1; 𝑅3′ = 𝑅3 − 5𝑅1 .............(1)

1 1 2 𝑅1′
𝐴~ ( 0 1 3) 𝑅2′
0 −2 6 𝑅3′

𝑅3′′ = 𝑅3′ + 2𝑅2′ ...........(2)

1 1 2 𝑅1′′
𝐴~ ( 0 1 3) 𝑅2′′ ..........(3)
0 0 0 𝑅3′′

which is the echelon form of A.

Number of non-zero rows in echelon form =2

Number of given vectors =3

Hence the number of non-zero rows in echelon form is less than the
number of given vectors

Vectors x1, x2, x3 are linearly dependent.

To find the relationship:

In (3), consider the last row 𝑅3′′ = 0 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜𝑤)

Substituting backwards,

𝑅3′′ = 0 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑅3′′ = 𝑅3′ + 2𝑅2′ = 0 using (2)

= (𝑅3 − 5𝑅1) + 2(𝑅2 − 𝑅1) = 0 using (1)

= 𝑅3 + 2𝑅2 − 7𝑅1 = 0

Since each row represents the vectors, we get

𝑿𝟑 + 𝟐𝑿𝟐 − 𝟕𝑿𝟏 = 𝟎is the relation between the given vectors.

3)Show that the vectors 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟏); 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟒, 𝟏, 𝟐); 𝑿𝟑 = (𝟔, 𝟓, 𝟒); 𝑿𝟒 =
(−𝟑, 𝟖, 𝟏)are linearly dependent. Hence find the relationship
between them.

Solution:
 1 2 1 𝑅1 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
4 1 2 𝑅2 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
The matrix form is 𝐴 = ( )
6 5 4 𝑅3 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤3
−3 8 1 𝑅4 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤4

Reduce to echelon form:

𝑅2′ = 𝑅2 − 4𝑅1; 𝑅3′ = 𝑅3 − 6𝑅1; 𝑅4′ = 𝑅4 + 3𝑅1 ..............(1)

1 2 1 𝑅1′
0 −7 −2 𝑅2′
𝐴~ ( )
0 −7 −2 𝑅3′
0 14 4 𝑅4′

𝑅3′ ′ = 𝑅3′ − 𝑅2′; 𝑅4′ ′ = 𝑅4′ + 2𝑅2′...........(2)

1 2 1 𝑅1′′
0 −7 −2 𝑅2′′
𝐴~ ( ) ...........(3)
0 0 0 𝑅3′′
0 0 0 𝑅4′′

Number of non-zero rows in echelon form =2

Number of given vectors =4

Hence number of non-zero rows in echelon form is less than the number
of given vectors

Therefore the vectors x1, x2, x3 are linearly dependent.

To find the relationship:

In (3),consider the last 2 rows such that𝑅3′′ = 0 and 𝑅4′′ = 0 since both
are zero rows.

Also 𝑅3′′ + 𝑅4′′ = 0 .

Substituting backwards from (2)

(𝑅3′ − 𝑅2′ ) + (𝑅4′ + 2𝑅2′ ) = 0

𝑅4′ + 𝑅3′ + 𝑅2′ = 0

Substituting backwards from (1)

𝑅4 + 3𝑅1 + 𝑅3 − 6𝑅1 + 𝑅2 − 4𝑅1 = 0

𝑅4 + 𝑅3 + 𝑅2 − 7𝑅1 = 0

Since each row represents the vectors, 𝑿𝟒 + 𝑿𝟑 + 𝑿𝟐 − 𝟕𝑿𝟏 = 𝟎is the

relation between the vectors.
4) Show that 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟏, 𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟑); 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟎, −𝟐, 𝟏, 𝟏); 𝑿𝟑 = (𝟐, 𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟓) are
linearly dependent and find the relationship.

Solution: The matrix form is

1 2 −1 3 𝑅1 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤1
𝐴 = (0−2 1 1) 𝑅2 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
2 2 −1 5 𝑅3 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤3

𝑅2′ = 𝑅2; 𝑅3′ = 𝑅3 − 2𝑅1 .............(1)

1 2 −13 𝑅3′
𝐴~ (0−2 1 1) 𝑅2′
0−2 1 1 𝑅3′

𝑅3′ ′ = 𝑅3′ − 𝑅2′..........(2)

1 2 −13 𝑅3′′
𝐴~ (0−2 1 1) 𝑅2′′ .........(3)which is the echelon form of A
0 0 0 0 𝑅3′′

Number of non-zero rows in echelon form =2

Number of given vectors =3

As number of non-zero rows in echelon form < Number of given vectors,

the vectors X1, X2, X3 are linearly dependent.

To find the relationship

In (3),consider the last row 𝑅3′′ = 0 (𝑠𝑖𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑖𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑎 𝑧𝑒𝑟𝑜 𝑟𝑜𝑤)

Substituting backwards using (2)

𝑅3′′ = 0 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 𝑅3′ − 𝑅2′ = 0

= 𝑅3 − 2𝑅1 − 𝑅2 = 0

Since each row represents the vectors, we get

𝑿𝟑 − 𝑿𝟐 − 𝟐𝑿𝟏 = 𝟎is the relation among the vectors.

5)If the vectors 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟎); 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟒, 𝟏, 𝟏); 𝑿𝟑 = (𝒂, −𝟏, 𝟏) are linearly
dependent, find 'a'.

Solution:

2 −1 0
Matrix form is𝐴 = (4 1 1)
𝑎 −1 1
𝑅2′ = 𝑅2 − 2𝑅1; 𝑅3′ = 2𝑅3 − 𝑎𝑅1
 2 −1 0 𝑅3′
𝐴~ (0 3 1) (𝑅2′)
0 𝑎−2 2 𝑅3′

𝑅3′′ = 3𝑅3′ − (𝑎 − 2)𝑅2′

2 −1 0 𝑅3′′
𝐴~ (0 3 1 ) (𝑅2′′)
0 0 8 − 𝑎 𝑅3′′

Since the vectors are linearly dependent 𝑅3′′ = 0 𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑖𝑒𝑠 8 − 𝑎 = 0

Therefore a=8

Alternate method

Since the vectors are linearly dependent, |𝐴| = 0

2 −1 0
i.e.,|4 1 1| = 0
𝑎 −1 1

2(1+1) +1 (4-a) = 0

2(2) +4-a = 0 which gives a =8.

6) Show that the given vectors 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟒, 𝟐, 𝟏, 𝟎); 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟏, 𝟑, 𝟏, 𝟐);

𝑿𝟑 = (𝟏, 𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟎); 𝑿𝟒 = (𝟔, 𝟏, 𝟎, 𝟏)are linearly independent.

Solution:

4 2 1 0
1 3 1 2
The matrix form is 𝐴 = ( )
1 2 −1 0
6 1 0 1

Interchanging Ist and IIIrd row

1 2 −1 0 𝑅1 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
1 3 1 2 𝑅2 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤2
𝐴=( )
4 2 1 0 𝑅3 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤3
6 1 0 1 𝑅4 − 𝑟𝑜𝑤4

𝑅2′ = 𝑅2 − 𝑅1; 𝑅3′ = 𝑅3 − 4𝑅1; 𝑅4′ = 𝑅4 − 6𝑅1

1 2 −1 0 𝑅1′
0 1 2 2 𝑅2′
𝐴~ ( )
0 −6 5 0 𝑅3′
0 −11 6 1 𝑅4′

𝑅3′′ = 𝑅3′ + 6𝑅2′ ; 𝑅4′′ = 𝑅4′ + 11𝑅2′

 1 2 −1 0 𝑅1′′
0 1 2 2 𝑅2′′
𝐴~ ( )
0 0 17 12 𝑅3′′
0 0 28 23 𝑅4′′

𝑇𝑜 𝑚𝑎𝑘𝑒 17 𝑎𝑠 1, 𝑙𝑒𝑡 𝑅3′′ = 𝑅3′′ /17

1 2 −1 0 𝑅1′′
0 1 2 2
𝐴~ ( ) 𝑅2′′
0 0 1 12/17 𝑅3′′
0 0 28 23 𝑅4′′

𝑅4′′′ = 𝑅4′′ − 28𝑅3′′

1 2 −1 0 𝑅1′′
0 1 2 2
𝐴~ ( 1 12/17 ) 𝑅2′′
0 0 𝑅3′′
0 0 0 −55/17 𝑅4′′

Number of non-zero rows =4 =Number of given vectors.

Therefore the vectors are linearly independent.

7) Show that the vectors 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟏, 𝟏, 𝟏); 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟏, 𝟐, 𝟑); 𝑿𝟑 = (𝟐, −𝟏, 𝟏) are
linearly independent by determinant method.

Solution:

1 1 1
The matrix form is 𝐴 = (1 2 3)
2 −1 1
1 1 1
|𝐴|=|1 2 3| = 1(2 + 3) − 1(1 − 6) + 1(−1 − 4)
2 −1 1
= 1(5) − 1(−5) + 1(−5)

5+5-5 = 5 ≠ 0

That is |𝐴| ≠ 0. Therefore the vectors are linearly independent.

𝟐 𝟒 𝟖
8. Show that the vectors −𝟏 , 𝟏 , −𝟏], are linearly dependent. Find
[ ] [ ] [
𝟎 𝟏 𝟏
also the relationship among them.

Solution
Let 𝑘1 𝑋1 + 𝑘2 𝑋2 + 𝑘3 𝑋3 = 0
2 4 8
𝑘1 [−1] + 𝑘2 [1] + 𝑘3 [−1] = 0
0 1 1
 𝑘1 (2) + 𝑘2 (4) + 𝑘3 (8) = 0---------------(1)
−𝑘1 + 𝑘2 − 𝑘3 = 0------------------------------(2)
𝑘2 + 𝑘3 = 0------------------------------------(3)
𝑘2 = −𝑘3 -----------------------------------------(4)

Using (4) in (2)

−𝑘1 − 2𝑘3 = 0

𝑘1 = −2𝑘3

Taking 𝑘3 = 1, we get 𝑘1 = −2, 𝑘2 = −1

2𝑋1 − 𝑋2 + 𝑋3 = 0
The vectors 𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 are linearly dependent. The relationship among
𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 is is
2𝑋1 − 𝑋2 + 𝑋3 = 0

𝟏 𝟐 𝟐
9. Show that the vectors [𝟐] , [ 𝟏 ] , [−𝟐] are linearly independent.
𝟐 −𝟐 𝟏

Solution:
Let 𝑘1 𝑋1 + 𝑘2 𝑋2 + 𝑘3 𝑋3 = 0
1 2 2
𝑘1 [2] + 𝑘2 [ 1 ] + 𝑘3 [−2] = 0
2 −2 1
𝑘1 + 2𝑘2 + 2𝑘3 = 0---------------(1)
2𝑘1 + 𝑘2 − 2𝑘3 = 0----------------(2)
2𝑘1 − 2𝑘2 + 𝑘3 = 0------------------(3)
(3) − (2) gives,
𝑘2 = 𝑘3 ------------- -(4)
(2)+(1) gives,
3𝑘1 + 3𝑘2 = 0
𝑘1 = −𝑘2 --------(5)
From (4) and (5),
𝑘1 = −𝑘3 ---------(6)
Using (4),(5) and (6) in (1)
−𝑘3 + 2𝑘3 + 2𝑘3 = 0
𝑘3 = 0
Therefore,
𝑘1 = 𝑘2 = 𝑘3 = 0
The vectors 𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 are linearly independent.

𝟐 𝟏 𝟒
10. Show that the vectors [−𝟐] , [ 𝟒 ] , [ 𝟔 ] are linearly independent.
𝟏 −𝟏 −𝟑
 Solution:
Let 𝑘1 𝑋1 + 𝑘2 𝑋2 + 𝑘3 𝑋3 = 0
1 2 2
𝑘1 [2] + 𝑘2 [ 1 ] + 𝑘3 [−2] = 0
2 −2 1
2𝑘1 + 𝑘2 + 4𝑘3 = 0---------------(1)
−2𝑘1 + 4𝑘2 + 6𝑘3 = 0------------ ----(2)
𝑘1 − 𝑘2 − 3𝑘3 = 0------------------(3)
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 (1) 𝑎𝑛𝑑 (2)
𝑘2 + 2𝑘3 = 0--------------------------(4)
𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚(2)𝑎𝑛𝑑(3)
𝑘2 = 0
𝑘1 = 𝑘2 = 𝑘3 = 0
The vectors 𝑋1 , 𝑋2 , 𝑋3 are linearly independent.

11.Show that the vectors 𝑿𝟏 = (𝟏, −𝟏, −𝟐, −𝟒), 𝑿𝟐 = (𝟐, 𝟑, −𝟏, −𝟏),

𝑿𝟑 = (𝟑, 𝟏, 𝟑, −𝟐)and 𝑿𝟒 = (𝟔, 𝟑, 𝟎, −𝟕) are linearly dependent.

Solution:

1 −1 −2 −4
2 3 −1 −1
A=[ ]
3 1 3 −2
6 3 0 −7
1 −1 −2 −4
0 5 3 7
=[ ]
0 4 9 10
0 9 12 17

Here 𝑅2 = 𝑅2 − 2𝑅1 , 𝑅3 = 𝑅3 − 3𝑅1 , 𝑅4 = 𝑅4 − 6𝑅1

1 −1 −2 −4
0 5 3 7
=[ ]
0 0 33 22
0 0 33 22

Here, 𝑅3 = 5𝑅3 − 4𝑅2 , 𝑅4 = 5𝑅4 − 9𝑅2

1 −1 −2 −4
0 5 3 7
=[ ]
0 0 33 22
0 0 0 0

Here, 𝑅4 = 𝑅4 − 𝑅3
Number of non-zero vectors in echelon form of the matrix A=3
Vectors X1, X2, X3, X4are linearly dependent.
Practice problems:
1. Show that the vectors below are linearly independent.
a) (2,-2,1),(1,4,-1),(4,6,-3),(-2,-2,3)
b) (1,2,-2,1),(0,-1,-2,1),(-1,-4,2,0)
c) (1,1,-1),(2,-3,5),(-2,1,4)
2. Show that the following vectors are linearly dependent.
Also find the relationship between them.
a) (1,1,2),(1,2,5),(5,3,4)
b) (1,-1,-2,-4),(2,3,-1,-1),(3,1,3,-2),(6,3,0,-7)
c) (1,0,4,3),(2,1,-1,1),(3,2,-6,-1)