# Thread: Linear independence and orthogonality of vectors

1. ## Linear independence and orthogonality of vectors

okay, so this is really two questions, the first is kind of simple:

if a+b=0, a+c=0 and c=b can it be shown that a+b+c=0? (without the use of determinants)

The second is: what is an example of a set of vectors that are linearly independent but not orthogonal? (graphical interpretation would be appreciated)

2. ## Re: Linear independence and orthogonality of vectors

Hi guybrush92,

Knowing $a + b = 0$, $a+c=0$ and $b=c$ (which follows from the first two equations) it does not always follow that $a+b+c=0.$ Try playing around with some specific values for $a, b \& c$ to see why.

For the second question, thinking about $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ might be the easiest place to look. Geometrically, two vectors are linearly indepdent in $\mathbb{R}^{2}$ if they don't lie on the same line through the origin. It may be simplest to take one of the vectors to be $[1,0].$ To find a second vector that is linearly independent from $[1,0]$ and is not orthogonal to it means we should pick a vector that does not sit on the $x$-axis and is not perpendicular to the $x$-axis.

Does this get things going in the right direction? Let me know if anything is unclear. Good luck!