# Math Help - Prove span

1. ## Prove span

It's an easy question...

Let $u = [1, 2]^T$ and $v = [1, -2]^T$

Show that $[a, b]^T$ is in Span{u,v} for all a and b. In other words $R^2$ = Span{u,v}

2. Originally Posted by Tander
It's an easy question...

Let $u = [1, 2]^T$ and $v = [1, -2]^T$

Show that $[a, b]^T$ is in Span{u,v} for all a and b. In other words $R^2$ = Span{u,v}
$\begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1\\
2 & -2
\end{bmatrix}\to \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1\\
0 & -4
\end{bmatrix}\to \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 1\\
0 & 1
\end{bmatrix}\to \begin{bmatrix}
1 & 0\\
0 & 1
\end{bmatrix}$

Since vectors u and v are lin. ind., they span $\mathbb{R}^2$; therefore, any other real vector will be a linear combination of u and v.

3. Directly from the definition: solve
$x\begin{bmatrix}1 \\ 2\end{bmatrix}+ y\begin{bmatrix}1 \\ -2\end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}a \\ b\end{bmatrix}$
for x and y. If you can then $span{u, v}= R^2$.

That is the same as solving x+ y= a, 2x- 2y= b. Multiply the first equation by 2 and add: 4x= 2a+ b so x= (2a+ b)/4. Multiply the first equation by 2 and subtract: 4y= 2a- b so y= (2a- b)/4. Those exist for all a and b.