# Math Help - Trying to Prove three 2x2 Matrices are Linearly Independent

1. ## Trying to Prove three 2x2 Matrices are Linearly Independent

Hey,

The set of M2,2 of all 2x2 matrices, with real entries, is a vector space. For what values of A (real) is the set
Z= {(
 1 2 1 0
,
 3 7 0 0
,
 2 6 A 0
}

a linearly independent subset of M2,2?

I have been trying to prove using a1V1+a2v2+a3v3=0 but I cant figure how to prove it or put it into a singular matrix form for row reduction... any help would be greatly appreciated.

2. ## Re: Trying to Prove three 2x2 Matrices are Linearly Independent

So you have $a_1\begin{bmatrix}1 & 2 \\ 1 & 0 \end{bmatrix}+ a_2\begin{bmatrix}3 & 7 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}+ a_3\begin{bmatrix}2 & 6 \\ A & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
$= \begin{bmatrix}a_1+ 3a_2+ 2a_3 & 2a_1+ 7a_2+ 6a_3 \\ a_1+ Aa_3 & 0\end{bmatrix}= \begin{bmatrix}0 & 0 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix}$
so we must have $a_1+ 3a_2+ 2a_3= 0$, $2a_1+ 7a_2+ 6a_3= 0$, and $a_1+ Aa_3= 0$ only if $a_1+ a_2+ a_3= 0$.

Okay, have you tried solving for $a_1$, $a_2$, and $a_3$? If you subtract twice the first equation from the second, you eliminate $a_1$- $a_2+ 2a_3= 0$. If you subtract the third equation from the first you again eliminate $a_1$- $3a_2+ (2- A)a_3= 0$. Now eliminate $a_2$ by subtracting twice the first of those two equations from the other: $(2- A)a_3- 4a_3= (-2- A)a_3= 0$.

If $a_3= 0$ it follows that $a_2= 0$ and $a_1= 0$. What is the only value of A such that $a_3$ does not have to be 0?