# Math Help - Vectors, really lost

1. ## Vectors, really lost

Hi , not sure if vectors falls under this category , but what are you going to do I just need someone to explain this question for me step by step if you have time . I'm Gavin quite a hard time with it :/

"The vectors a and b span two space . For what values of m is it true that (m^2+2m-3)a + (m^2+m-6) = 0
*note that it is a 0 vector. I imagine this'd and they have to cancel each other out some how but I don't know how ....

Thanks !
Emma

2. ## Re: Vectors, really lost

Originally Posted by elittlewood
"The vectors a and b span two space . For what values of m is it true that (m^2+2m-3)a + (m^2+m-6) = 0
Please review the post. Did you leave a something out? should it be
$(m^2+2m-3)\vec{a}+(m^2+m-6)\vec{b}=0~?$

3. ## Re: Vectors, really lost

nope... thats what it says ? It seems like it should span 3 space.....

4. ## Re: Vectors, really lost

Originally Posted by elittlewood
nope... thats what it says ? It seems like it should span 3 space.....
If that is what it says, then there is a typo in the question.
Written that way, it makes no sense.

5. ## Re: Vectors, really lost

Originally Posted by elittlewood
nope... thats what it says ? It seems like it should span 3 space.....
Did you not read it as you copied it?
""The vectors a and b span two space . For what values of m is it true that (m^2+2m-3)a + (m^2+m-6) = 0?"
You are told that it spans "two space". What makes you think "it should span 3 space"?
m, and so m^2+ 2m- 3 and m^2+ m- 6, are numbers and a and b are vectors. What did you think a "vector plus a number" could mean?