[Math] Gram–Schmidt process with linear independent and dependent vector

linear algebra

Suppose that $u_1, u_2$ are linearly independent and that $u_3$ is in $\textrm{Span}\{u_1, u_2\}$.
Suppose further that the Gram–Schmidt process is applied to $\{u_1, u_2, u_3\}$ to generate a new set $\{v_1, v_2, v_3\}$. What is $v_3$? Explain your answer.

So what I have already figured out it that since $u_3$ is in the span of $\{u1, u2\}$ and $u_3$ can be expressed as $u_3=c_1u_1+c_2u_2$.

So with the Gram–Schmidt process, we know $u_1=v_1$.
Then $v_2=u_2-\frac{u_2*v_1}{v_1*v_1}*v_1$

And then $v_3=u_3-\frac{u_3*v_1}{v_1*v_1}*v_1$

But I can express $u_3$ as $c_1u_1+c_2u_2$ so I can replace it in the $v_3$. And I can replace all the $v_1$ with $u_1$.

Therefore $v_3=c_1u_1+c_2u_2-\frac{c_1u_1+c_2u_2*u_1}{u_1*u_1}*u_1$

Does this mean that $v_3$ is also in the span of $\{u_1,u_2\}$ since it is expressed in terms of $u_1$ and $u_2$?

Best Answer

$v_3=u_3 - [(u_3|v_1)/(||v_1||^2)] \times v_1 - [(u_3|v_2)/(||v_2||^2)] \times v_2$

This is the Gram-Schmidt Orthogonalisation equation. If you apply this you would get answer straight away.

Since $u_3 \in \langle u_1,u_2\rangle$, Therefore, $u_3 \in \langle v_1,v_2\rangle$, because both $v_1=u_1 \; and \; v_2$ is a linear combination of $u_1,u_2$. Therefore $u_3 = a.v_1 + b.v_2$

Now $v_3 = a.v_1 + b.v_2 - (((a.v_1 + b.v_2)| v_1/||v_1||^2)\times v_1) + (((a.v_1 + b.v_2)| v_2/||v_2||^2)\times v_2) \\ = (a.v_1 + b.v_2) - (a.v_1 + b.v_2) = 0$

Remember that $(v_1|v_2) = 0$