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Prove that i, j, k, i+j+k are linearly dependent, but any three of them are independent

Let \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{k} denote the unit coordinate vectors (1,0,0), (0,1,0), and (0,0,1) respectively in \mathbb{R}^3. Prove that \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{k}, \mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k} are linearly dependent, but any three of them are linearly independent.


Proof. First, any four vectors in \mathbb{R}^3 are linearly dependent by Theorem 12.10 (page 466 of Apostol). Then we show that any set of three of these are independent.
First, \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{k} are independent since

    \[ x \mathbf{i} + y \mathbf{j} + z \mathbf{k} = 0 \quad \implies \quad x = y = z = 0. \]

Then, \mathbf{i}, \mathbf{j}, \mathbf{i} + \mathbf{j} + \mathbf{k} are independent since if

    \[ x \mathbf{i} + y \mathbf{j} + z (\mathbf{i+j+k} ) = 0 \]

then

    \[ x+z =0, \quad y + z = 0, \quad z = 0 \quad \implies \quad x = y = z = 0. \]

The independence of the other two sets of three vectors follows identically. \qquad \blacksquare

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