Prove that if $\dim(V)=2\dim(W)$ then $V=W \oplus W_1 = W \oplus W_2 = W_1 \oplus W_2$

linear algebravector-spaces

I was given this question:

There's a finite dimensional vector space $V$, and $W,W_1,W_2$ subspaces of $V$ that have this properties: $W_1 \cap W_2 = \{ 0 \}$ and $V=W+W_1=W+W_2$.
Prove that if $\dim(V)=2\dim(W)$ then $V=W \oplus W_1 = W \oplus W_2 = W_1 \oplus W_2$.

I found in my book two sentences that I believe have to do with this proof:

  1. If $V$ is a finite dimensional vector space and $U$ is a subspace of $V$ then $U$ is a finite dimensional subspace that exists $\dim(U) \le \dim(V)$ and $\dim(U) = \dim(V)$ exists if and only if $U=V$.
  2. If $U$ and $W$ are two finite dimensional subspaces, and if $V=U+W$ then $V=U \oplus W$ if and only if $\dim(V) = \dim(U) + \dim (W)$.

I've been stuck on how to approach this, can I please get a hint?

Best Answer

Since $W_1\subseteq V$ and $W_2\subseteq V$, $W_1+W_2\subseteq V$.
Since $W_1\cap W_2=\{0\}$, the sum above is a directe sum. So $\dim(W_1)+\dim(W_2)\le\dim V$.

$V=W+W_1$ implies $\dim(V)\le \dim(W)+\dim(W_1)$.

$V=W+W_2$ implies $\dim(V)\le \dim(W)+\dim(W_2)$.

Adding all inequalities above and cancelling out, we get $$\dim V\le2\dim(W),$$ which is, in fact, an equality as given. Hence all inequalities above must be equalities.

Now you can try applying the second statement you found in your book.