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Exercise 1927Linear algebra › Vector spaces and subspacesL1Added 3 Nov 2026

A subspace depending on a parameter

#parameter#subspace#dimension

Statement

For m∈Rm\in\mathbb{R}, let Fm={(x,y,z)∈R3:x+y+mz=0 and x+my+z=0}F_m=\{(x,y,z)\in\mathbb{R}^3 : x+y+mz=0 \text{ and } x+my+z=0\}. Determine dim⁡Fm\dim F_m depending on mm.

Hint

The dimension is 3−rank⁡3-\operatorname{rank} of the coefficient matrix. Compute the determinant of the 2×22\times 2 minors.

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Solution

Matrix.
A=(11m1m1).A = \begin{pmatrix} 1 & 1 & m \\ 1 & m & 1 \end{pmatrix}.

Rank. The two rows are proportional iff m=1m=1 (both equal to (1,1,1)(1,1,1)). So:
- If m=1m=1: rank =1=1, dim⁡F1=3−1=2\dim F_1 = 3-1=2.
- If m≠1m\neq1: rank =2=2, dim⁡Fm=3−2=1\dim F_m = 3-2=1.

Explicit bases. For m=1m=1: F1={x+y+z=0}F_1=\{x+y+z=0\}, a plane, with basis (−1,1,0),(−1,0,1)(-1,1,0),(-1,0,1). For m≠1m\neq1: solve the system. Subtracting gives (1−m)y+(m−1)z=(1−m)(y−z)=0(1-m)y+(m-1)z=(1-m)(y-z)=0, so y=zy=z. Then x+(1+m)y=0x+(1+m)y=0, so x=−(1+m)yx=-(1+m)y. Basis ((−(1+m),1,1))((-(1+m),1,1)).

Conclusion. dim⁡Fm=2\dim F_m=2 if m=1m=1, 11 if m≠1m\neq1.