Chapter 30: Problem 26
Let \(V\) be a vector space over a field \(F\), and let \(S\) be a subspace of \(V\). Define the quotient space \(V / S\), and show that it is a vector space over \(F\).
Short Answer
Expert verified
The quotient space \(V / S\) is a vector space with cosets as elements, operations on cosets are well-defined, making \(V / S\) a vector space over \(F\).
Step by step solution
01
Defining the Quotient Space
The quotient space \(V / S\) is the set of equivalence classes of vectors in \(V\) under the equivalence relation defined by \(v \sim w\) if and only if \(v - w \in S\). Each equivalence class is called a coset, and represented by \(v + S\) for any vector \(v \in V\).
02
Coset Operations
Define the addition of two cosets \((v + S) + (w + S) = (v + w) + S\). Define scalar multiplication by \(\alpha(v + S) = (\alpha v) + S\) for a scalar \(\alpha \in F\). These operations need to be well-defined, meaning they do not depend on the choice of representative vectors from each coset.
03
Showing Well-Defined Operations: Addition
Suppose \(v_1 + S = v_2 + S\) and \(w_1 + S = w_2 + S\). Then \(v_1 - v_2 \in S\) and \(w_1 - w_2 \in S\). We want \((v_1 + w_1) + S = (v_2 + w_2) + S\). We know \((v_1 + w_1) - (v_2 + w_2) = (v_1 - v_2) + (w_1 - w_2) \), which belongs to \(S\), so addition is well-defined.
04
Showing Well-Defined Operations: Scalar Multiplication
For scalar multiplication, suppose \(v_1 + S = v_2 + S\). Then \(v_1 - v_2 \in S\). We want \(\alpha v_1 + S = \alpha v_2 + S\). Since \(\alpha(v_1 - v_2) = \alpha v_1 - \alpha v_2 \in S\) (because \(S\) is a subspace and closed under scalar multiplication), scalar multiplication is well-defined.
05
Vector Space Axioms
Verify that \(V / S\) satisfies vector space axioms: closure, associativity, commutativity, existence of a zero element, existence of additive inverses, distributive properties, and compatibility with field multiplication. All hold because operations are derived from those in \(V\) and \(S\) is a subspace (closed under these operations).
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Vector Space
A vector space is a fundamental concept in linear algebra, comprising a collection of vectors that can be added together and multiplied by scalars. To be a vector space, the set along with these operations must satisfy a variety of axioms. These include:
- Closure under addition and scalar multiplication: If you add two vectors or multiply a vector by a scalar, the result must still belong within the set.
- Associativity and commutativity of addition: Vector addition must be consistent, regardless of the order in which vectors are added.
- Existence of an additive identity and additive inverses: There must be a zero vector that can be added to any vector without changing it. Each vector must also have an opposite vector that sums to the zero vector.
- Distributive and compatibility properties: These properties align vector addition and scalar multiplication with the underlying field's operations.
Subspace
In linear algebra, a subspace is essentially a smaller vector space contained within a larger vector space. To be a subspace, a collection of vectors must itself satisfy all vector space axioms but relative to the larger vector space.
- Closure: When you add two vectors from the subspace or scale a vector, it must remain within the subspace.
- Contains the zero vector: The zero vector of the larger space must also be a member of any subspace.
- Closed under linear combinations: Any linear combination of vectors from a subspace must also be within that subspace.
Scalar Multiplication
Scalar multiplication is a key operation in a vector space. It involves multiplying a vector by a scalar, which is an element from the field over which the vector space is defined. This operation must satisfy specific conditions:
- Closure: The result of the scalar multiplication must be a vector still within the vector space.
- Distributive properties: Distributing a scalar over the addition of vectors, and distributing a sum of scalars over a single vector, should hold.
- Associativity with field multiplication: Multiplying a vector by a scalar product should yield the same result as first scaling the vector by one of the scalars and then the other.
- Identity element of multiplication: Multiplying a vector by the scalar one must return the original vector.
Equivalence Relation
An equivalence relation is a way of grouping elements into classes based on certain criteria of similarity or equivalence. For vectors, an equivalence relation ties into the concept of cosets used in quotient spaces.
- Reflexivity: Any vector is equivalent to itself.
- Symmetry: If one vector is equivalent to another, then the second vector is equivalent to the first.
- Transitivity: If a vector is equivalent to a second vector, and that second vector equivalent to a third, the first and third vectors are equivalent.