[Math] Orthogonal complement of orthogonal complement

linear algebra

Let $U$ be a subspace of $V$ (where $V$ is a vector space over $C$ or $R$). The orthogonal complement of the orthogonal complement of $U$ is not equal to $U$ in general (equal only for dim $V$ finite).

Can anyone give me a simple example when the orthogonal complement of the orthogonal complement of $U$ is not $U$.

Best Answer

Let

$$V:=\left\{ f:[0,1]\to\Bbb R\;;\; f\;\;\text{is continuous}\right\}\;\;\text{over}\;\;\Bbb R$$

and with the inner product

$$\langle f,g\rangle:=\int\limits_0^1f(x)g(x)dx$$

Let

$$U:=\{ f \in V\;;\;f(0)=0\}\implies U^\perp=\{0\}\;,\;\;U^{\perp\perp}=\ldots$$