Linear Algebra/Basis Vectors
Definitions[edit | edit source]
A basis of a vector space V is a set of vectors which have the following properties:
- They are linearly independent.
- Their linear combinations build up every vector of V.
A vector space is of dimension d if there exists d linearly independent vectors and that any d+1 vectors are linearly dependent.
Remarkable theorems[edit | edit source]
Theorem[edit | edit source]
In a vector space of dimension d, any d linearly independent vectors form a basis for that vector space.
Proof[edit | edit source]
Let there be d vectors. Let x be another vector. Then those d vectors and x are linearly dependent, so x is linearly dependent on those d vectors. Hence, those d vectors form a basis.
Theorem[edit | edit source]
If a vector space has d vectors for a basis, then it is of dimension d.
Proof[edit | edit source]
Theorem (completion)[edit | edit source]
If you have m linearly independent vectors in a vector space of dimension n (with m<=n), then you can choose n-m vectors which form a basis of the vector space along with the starting m vectors.
Proof[edit | edit source]
Those m vectors do not form a basis since it is not equal to n, so there exists a vector in the vector space linearly independent of them. Continuing choosing vectors independent of the previous ones in this fashion until one has n vectors.