MATH2501, Linear Algebra

Test 1 Solutions, Semester 1 2017

1. Version A
(1) (8 marks)
Consider the matrix and vectors

1 2 1 1 4 b1
A = 2 1 3 1 , ~y = 6 and ~b = b2 .
1 7 6 2 6 b3
(a) Find all solutions of A~x = ~y , and write your answer in vector form.

Row-reducing the augments matrix

1 2 1 1 4 b1
2 1 3 1 6 b2 ,
1 7 6 2 6 b3
we get the matrix
1 2 1 1 4 b1
0 5 5 3 2 b2 2b1 .
0 0 12 2 0 b3 + b2 3b1
We see that x4 is a free variable and
1 2 13 16 1
x3 = x4 , x2 = + x4 , x1 = + x4 .
6 5 30 5 30
So the solution is
16/5 1/30
2/5 13/30
0 + 1/6 , with R.
~x =

0 1
(b) Find a basis for the nullspace (kernel) of A.


1

13

is a basis for the kernel of A.
5

30

(c) Find a basis for the column space of A.

Since the pivots are in the first, second and third columns,

1 2 1
2 , 1 , 3 is a basis for the column space of A.
1 7 6

(d) Find conditions (if any) on b1 , b2 , b3 such that the system Ax = b has a solution.

Since every row has a pivot, there is no condition on ~b for the system to have a solution.

(e) Is there any vector ~z in R3 such that the system A~x = ~z has a unique solution? If so, give an example of
such a ~z; if not, explain in detail why not.

There is always a free variable. Therefore, there is no ~z R3 for which A~x = ~z has a unique solution.

(2) (4 marks) Suppose that V is a vector space and B1 = {~v1 , ~v2 } is a basis of V . Prove that
B2 = {~v1 + ~v2 , 3~v1 ~v2 }
is also a basis of V . For full marks you must give an accurate, clearly written and logically complete argument.

V evidently has dimension 2. Therefore, we only need to verify that B2 , being a set of two vectors, is
linearly independent. Suppose that we have
1 (~v1 + ~v2 ) + 2 (3~v1 ~v2 ) = ~0.
1
2

This gives that

(1 + 32 )~v1 + (1 2 )~v2 = ~0.
Since B1 is a linearly independent set,
1 + 32 = 1 2 = 0
which gives that 1 = 2 = 0. So B2 is linearly independent and hence must be a basis of V .

(3) (5 marks) Let p1 (t) = 1 + 4t2 and p2 (t) = 2 7t + t2 and p3 (t) = 1 + t 7t2 .
(a) Is { p1 , p2 } a basis for P2 ? Give reasons.

P2 has dimension 3 and so only sets with three vectors can be bases. The set in question is not a basis.

(b) Giving a full explanation, prove that B = { p1 , p2 , p3 } is a basis for P2 .

As before, we need to verify the linear independence of the set B. Consider

1 p1 + 2 p2 + 3 p3 = 0.
Collecting like terms and equating coefficients, the augment matrix that we are to consider is

1 2 1 0 1 2 1 0
0 7 1 10 which row-reduces to 0 7 1 0 .
4 1 7 0 0 0 12 0
So we must have 1 = 2 = 3 = 0. Therefore, B is linearly independent and thus is a basis for P2 .
(c) Find the coordinate vector of 1 10t + 30t2 with respect to the (ordered) basis in (b).

As before, we have the augment matrix

1 2 1 1 1 2 1 1
0 7 1 10 which row-reduces to 0 7 1 10 .
4 1 7 30 0 0 12 36
From this, we infer that 1 = 2, 2 = 1 and 3 = 3. So the coordinate vector is

2
1 .
3
(4) (3 marks)Let W be the vector space consisting of all 2 2 upper triangular real matrices. (You are not
required to prove that this is a vector space.) Find a basis for W , and hence write down the dimension of W .

A generic 2 2 upper triangular matrix takes the form

       
a b 1 0 0 1 0 0
=a +b +d .
0 d 0 0 0 0 0 1
So a basis for W is      
1 0 0 1 0 0
, ,
0 0 0 0 0 1
and W , therefore, has dimension 3.

2. Version B
(1) (8 marks) Consider the matrix and vectors

1 3 5 7 3 b1
A = 1 0 2 1 , ~y = 0 and ~b = b2 .
3 2 8 7 2 b3
(a) Find all solutions of A~x = ~y , and write your answer in vector form.

Row-reducing the augments matrix

1 3 5 7 3 b1
1 0 2 1 0 b2 ,
3 2 8 7 2 b3
 3

we get the matrix

1 3 5 7 3 b1
0 1 1 2 1 (b2 b1 )/3 .
0 0 0 0 0 3b3 2b1 7b2
We see that x4 and x3 are a free variables and
x2 = 1 x3 2x4 , x1 = 3 3x2 5x3 7x4 = 2x3 x4 .
So the solution is

0 2 1
1 1 2
0 + 1 + 0 , with , R.
~x =

0 0 1
(b) Find a basis for the nullspace (kernel) of A.


2 1

, 2 , is a basis for the kernel of A.
1

1
0

0 1

(c) Find a basis for the column space of A.

Since the pivots are in the first and second columns,

1 3
1 , 0 is a basis for the column space of A.
3 2

(d) Find conditions (if any) on b1 , b2 , b3 such that the system A~x = ~b has a solution.

In order for the system to be consistent, we must have 3b3 2b1 7b2 = 0.

(e) Is there any vector ~z in R3 such that the system A~x = ~z has a unique solution? If so, give an example of
such a ~z; if not, explain in detail why not.

If the system is consistent and has a solution at all, there are always two free variable. So there will never
be a situation in which there is a unique solution.
(2) (4 marks) Suppose that V is a vector space and B1 = {~v1 , ~v2 } is a basis of V . Prove that
B2 = {3~v1 , ~v1 + 2~v2 }
is also a basis of V . For full marks you must give an accurate, clearly written and logically complete argument.

V evidently has dimension 2. Therefore, we only need to verify that B2 , being a set of two vectors, is
linearly independent. Suppose that we have
1 3~v1 + 2 (~v1 + 2~v2 ) = ~0.
This gives that
(31 + 2 )~v1 + 22~v2 = ~0.
Since B1 is a linearly independent set,
31 + 2 = 22 = 0
which gives that 1 = 2 = 0. So B2 is linearly independent and hence must be a basis of V .

(3) (5 marks) Let p1 (t) = 3 + 6t2 and p2 (t) = 2t + 2t2 and p3 (t) = 3 + t 3t2 .
(a) Is { p1 , p2 } a basis for P1 ? Give reasons.

{ p1 , p2 } is not a subset of P1 . Therefore, it cannot possibly be a basis of P1 .

(b) Giving a full explanation, prove that B = { p1 , p2 , p3 } is a basis for P2 .

As before, we need to verify the linear independent of the set B. Consider

1 p1 + 2 p2 + 3 p3 = 0.
4

Collecting like terms and equating coefficients, the augment matrix that we are to consider is

3 0 3 0 3 0 3 0
0 2 1 0 which row-reduces to 0 2 1 0 .
6 2 3 0 0 0 2 0
So we must have 1 = 2 = 3 = 0. Therefore, B is linearly independent and thus is a basis for P2 .
(c) Find the coordinate vector of 6 + 7t + t2 with respect to the (ordered) basis in (b).

As before, we have the augment matrix

3 0 3 6 3 0 3 6
0 2 1 7 which row-reduces to 0 2 1 7 .
6 2 3 1 0 0 2 6
From this, we infer that 1 = 1, 2 = 2 and 3 = 3. So the coordinate vector is

1
2 .
3
(4) (3 marks) Let W be the vector space consisting of all 2 2 lower triangular real matrices. (You are not
required to prove that this is a vector space.) Find a basis for W , and hence write down the dimension of W .

A generic 2 2 lower triangular matrix takes the form

       
a 0 1 0 0 0 0 0
=a +c +d .
c d 0 0 1 0 0 1
So a basis for W is      
1 0 0 0 0 0
, ,
0 0 1 0 0 1
and W , therefore, has dimension 3.

3. Version C, The Repeat Version

(1) (8 marks) Consider the matrix and vectors

1 3 1 1 b1
1 5 3 1 b2
A= 2 2 2 ,
~y =
2
and ~b =
b3 .

1 5 7 1 b4
(a) Find all solutions of A~x = ~y , and write your answer in vector form.

Row-reducing the augments matrix

1 3 1 1 b1
1
5 3 1 b2
,
2 2 2 2 b3
1 5 7 1 b4
we get the matrix

1 3 1 1 b1
0
2 2 0 b2 b1
.
0 0 0 0 b3 + 2b2 4b1
0 0 0 0 b4 + 4b2 5b1
We see that the system has infinitely many solutions and with x3 free,
x2 = x3 , x1 = 1 + 2x3 .
So general solution is of the form

1 2
~x = 0 + 1 .
0 1
 5

(b) Find a basis for the nullspace (kernel) of A.

2
1 is a basis for the kernel of A.
1

(c) Find a basis for the column space of A.

Since the pivots are in the first and second columns,

1 3

, 5 is a basis for the column space of A.
1

2
2

1 5

(d) Find conditions (if any) on b1 , b2 , b3 , b4 such that the system A~x = ~b has a solution.

In order for the system to be consistent, we must have b3 + 2b2 4b1 = b4 + 4b2 5b1 = 0.

(e) Is there any vector ~z in R4 such that the system A~x = ~z has a unique solution? If so, give an example of
such a ~z; if not, explain in detail why not.

There is always a variable. Therefore, there is no ~z R4 for which A~x = ~z has a unique solution.

(2) (4 marks)Suppose that V is a vector space and B1 = {~v1 , ~v2 , ~v3 } is a basis of V . Prove that
B2 = {~v1 + 2~v2 + 3~v3 , ~v2 + ~v3 , ~v3 }
is also a basis of V . For full marks you must give an accurate, clearly written and logically complete argument.

V evidently has dimension 3. Therefore, we only need to verify that B2 , being a set of three vectors, is
linearly independent. Suppose that we have
1 (~v1 + 2~v2 + 3~v3 ) + 2 (~v2 + ~v3 ) + 3~v3 = ~0.
This gives that
1~v1 + (21 + 2 )~v2 + (31 + 2 + 3 )~v3 = ~0.
Since B1 is a linearly independent set,
1 = 21 + 2 = 31 + 2 + 3 = 0
which gives that 1 = 2 = 3 = 0. So B2 is linearly independent and hence must be a basis of V .
1 1
(3) (5 marks) Let p1 (t) = (t 3)(t 2) and p2 (t) = (t 1)(t 3) and p3 (t) = (t 1)(t 2).
2 2
(a) Is { p1 , p2 } a basis for P2 ? Give reasons.

P2 has dimension 3 and the set in question has only two elements in it. Therefore, it cannot possibly be
a basis of P2 .

(b) Suppose that p P2 . Prove that if p = 1 p1 + 2 p2 + 3 p3 has a solution at all in 1 , 2 , 3 , then the
unique solution must be 1 = p(1), 2 = p(4) and 3 = p(3).

We have
p(1) = 1 p1 (1) + 2 p2 (1) + 3 p3 (1) = 1 1 + 2 0 + 3 0 = 1 .
Similarly, we also get
p(2) = 2 and p(3) = 3 .
(c) Giving a full explanation, prove that { p1 , p2 , p3 } is a basis for P2 .

Using the conclusion from part (b), we see that if

p = 0 = 1 p1 + 2 p2 + 3 p3
then
1 = p(1) = 0, 2 = p(4) = 0, 3 = p(3) = 0.
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So { p1 , p2 , p3 } is a linearly independent set and hence forms a basis for P2 .

(4) (3 marks) Let S be a finite set of vectors in a vector space V . Suppose that S contains the zero vector. Is S
linealry independent? Why or why not?

Suppose that


S = { 0 ,
v 2,

v n }.
Then we have



1 0 +0 v 2 + + 0

vn = 0.
Hence there is a non-trivial way to represent the zero vector as a linear combination of vectors in S. Therefore,
S cannot be linearly indepdent.