Let $V=\mathscr{P}_{3}$ be the vector space of polynomials of degree 3. Let W be the
subspace of polynomials p(x) such that p(0)= 0 and p(1)= 0. Find a basis for W. Extend the basis to a basis of V.
Here is what I've done so far.
$$p(x) = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d$$
$$p(0) = 0 = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + d\\\text{d = 0}\\
p(1) = 0 = ax^3 + bx^2 + cx + 0 => a + b + c = 0\\
c = -a – b\\
p(x)= ax^3 + bx^2 + (-a-b)x = 0\\
= a(x^3-x) + b(x^2-x)\\
\text{Basis is {(x^3-x),(x^2-x)}}
$$
Would this be a correct basis for W, and how would I extend it to the vector space V?
Best Answer
I believe you're correct.
Specifying $p(0) = p(1) = 0$ means that any polynomial in $W$ must be divisible by $x$ and $(x-1)$. That is $W = \{ x(1-x)p(x) \, | \, p(x) \in \mathscr{P}_{1}\}$. Since $\mathscr{P}_{1}$ has dimension $2$, $W$ must have dimension $2$.
Extending $W$ to a basis for $V$ just requires picking any two other polynomials of degree $3$ which are linearly independent from the others. So in particular, you might choose $p_{0}(x) = 1$ and $p_{1}(x) = x$ to throw in.