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Exercise 594Linear algebra › Vector spaces and subspacesHigh schoolAdded 3 Nov 2026

Linear independence

#linear independence#definition#examples

Statement

Determine whether each family is linearly independent in R3\mathbb{R}^3:

(a) (1,0,0),(0,1,0),(0,0,1)(1,0,0), (0,1,0), (0,0,1);
(b) (1,2,3),(2,4,6)(1,2,3), (2,4,6);
(c) (1,0,1),(0,1,0),(1,1,1)(1,0,1), (0,1,0), (1,1,1);
(d) (1,1,0),(0,1,1),(1,0,1)(1,1,0), (0,1,1), (1,0,1).

Hint

Write λ1v1+⋯+λkvk=0\lambda_1 v_1+\cdots+\lambda_k v_k=0 and solve the resulting system.

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Solution

(a) The system λ1(1,0,0)+λ2(0,1,0)+λ3(0,0,1)=0\lambda_1(1,0,0)+\lambda_2(0,1,0)+\lambda_3(0,0,1)=0 gives λ1=λ2=λ3=0\lambda_1=\lambda_2=\lambda_3=0. Independent.

(b) The second vector is twice the first, so 2(1,2,3)−(2,4,6)=02(1,2,3)-(2,4,6)=0 is a nontrivial relation. Dependent.

(c) The third vector is the sum of the first two: (1,1,1)=(1,0,1)+(0,1,0)(1,1,1)=(1,0,1)+(0,1,0). Dependent.

(d) Solve λ1(1,1,0)+λ2(0,1,1)+λ3(1,0,1)=0\lambda_1(1,1,0)+\lambda_2(0,1,1)+\lambda_3(1,0,1)=0:
λ1+λ3=0,λ1+λ2=0,λ2+λ3=0.\lambda_1+\lambda_3=0,\quad \lambda_1+\lambda_2=0,\quad \lambda_2+\lambda_3=0.
From the first, λ3=−λ1\lambda_3=-\lambda_1; from the second, λ2=−λ1\lambda_2=-\lambda_1; the third gives −λ1−λ1=0-\lambda_1-\lambda_1=0, so λ1=0\lambda_1=0 and then λ2=λ3=0\lambda_2=\lambda_3=0. Independent.

Conclusion. (a), (d) are independent; (b), (c) are dependent.