Chapter 5: Problem 25
Let \(W\) be a subspace of \(\mathbb{R}^{n}\) and \(\mathbf{v}\) a vector in \(\mathbb{R}^{n}\). Suppose that \(\mathbf{w}\) and \(\mathbf{w}^{\prime}\) are orthogonal vectors with \(\mathbf{w}\) in \(W\) and that \(\mathbf{v}=\mathbf{w}+\mathbf{w}^{\prime} .\) Is it necessarily true that \(\mathbf{w}^{\prime}\) is in \(W^{\perp}\) ? Either prove that it is true or find a counterexample.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding the Problem
Definition of Orthogonal Complement
Analyze Given Conditions
Check Condition for \( W^{\perp} \)
Counterexample
Conclusion
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Subspace
- Zero vector is always in a subspace.
- If two vectors are in a subspace, their sum is also in that subspace.
- Multiplying a vector by any scalar does not take it out of the subspace.
Orthogonal Complement
- \( W^{\perp} \) is itself a subspace of \( \mathbb{R}^n \).
- The intersection of \( W \) and \( W^{\perp} \) contains only the zero vector.
- Every vector in \( \mathbb{R}^n \) can be decomposed uniquely into two components: one in \( W \) and the other in \( W^{\perp} \).
Vector Decomposition
- Every vector can be decomposed into two orthogonal components with respect to a subspace \( W \): one in \( W \) and the other in \( W^{\perp} \).
- The decomposition helps clarify how vectors project onto subspaces and orthogonal complements.
Counterexample
Let's recount the counterexample provided:
- Consider \( W \) as the x-axis in \( \mathbb{R}^2 \).
- Take \( \mathbf{v} = (1, 1) \), \( \mathbf{w} = (1, 0) \), \( \mathbf{w}^{\prime} = (0, 1) \).
- Here, \( \mathbf{w} \perp \mathbf{w}^{\prime} \) satisfied the orthogonal condition but covered only a specific scenario where \( \mathbf{w}^{\prime} \) precisely falls on \( W^{\perp} \).
- This does not hold for general subspaces where \( W \) could be more than a span of a single vector.