Linear combinations Definition and 62 Threads

In mathematics, a linear combination is an expression constructed from a set of terms by multiplying each term by a constant and adding the results (e.g. a linear combination of x and y would be any expression of the form ax + by, where a and b are constants). The concept of linear combinations is central to linear algebra and related fields of mathematics.
Most of this article deals with linear combinations in the context of a vector space over a field, with some generalizations given at the end of the article.

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  1. A

    Linear combinations of structure constants

    I have two Lie algebras with structure constants f^{a}_{bc} and g^{a}_{bc}, the number of generators being the same (as will become clear). Due to a particular symmetry/construct, I have that the system needs to be valid under g \to af + bg (and a similar transform for g), which leads...
  2. H

    Solve Linear Combinations: -9 - 7x - 15x^2

    hi there, my book didn't have an example like this so I am not sure what to do to solve it. Please explain how to do it, thanks. Express the following as linear combinations of p1 = 2 + x + 4x^2, p2 = 1 - x + 3x^2, and p3 = 3 + 2x + 5x^2 a.) -9 - 7x - 15x^2
  3. R

    Linear Combinations of Eigenfunctions

    Homework Statement Suppose that f(x) and g(x) are two eigenfunctions of an operator Q^{\wedge}, with the same eigenvalue q. Show that any linear combination of f and g is itself an eigenfunction of Q^{\wedge}, with eigenvalue q. Homework Equations I know that Q^{\wedge}f(x) = qf(x) shows...
  4. L

    Basic Solutions and Linear Combinations

    Just to clarify these concepts: if a homogeneous system of linear equations with four variables z1, z2, z3, and z4 yields a matrix in reduced row echelon form that defines (as an arbitrary example) the linear equations z1 = z3 + 0.5z4 = t + 0.5s z2 = 2z3 - z4 = 2t - s z3 = t z4 = s...
  5. E

    How Can I Improve My Grades in Geometry and Discrete Mathematics?

    Hey all, im taking geometry and discrete mathematics at my school. Its a 12 U course. And I am not doing as well as i would like in it. I am at about a 75, annd i want that to be around 85. So I am looking to you guys for some help. If you guys wouldn't mind awnsering a few questions i have...
  6. Z

    Proving the Relationship between GCD and Linear Combinations

    I remember this from awhile back but can't seem to find any justification. Why is the smallest positive linear combination of two numbers necessarily the GCD of the two numbers?
  7. C

    What Are Linear Combinations in Vector Mathematics?

    Linear combinations?? :S Hey, could som1 please explain linear combinations. I copied down the lecture notes but I'm not understanding this example :confused: may hav typo from the note takin Example: Show that each of the vectors w1 = (1, 0), w2= (0, 1) and w3 = (3, 3) are a linear...
  8. M

    Solving Linear Combinations: Collinear & Coplanar

    struggling with these problems: 1. determine if the following are: i) collinear: A(0, 3, 2), B(1, 5, 4) and C(3, 9, 8) ii) coplanar: A(1, 4, −5), B(2, 12, −8), C(4, 6, − 4) and D(5, 3, −2) i know that TWO vectors are collinear if it is possible to express one as a scalar multiple of the...
  9. H

    Vector Linear Combinations: Solving for Scalar Quantity

    The question is to write the following vectors as a linear combination: c) a vector directed at an angle of 45 degrees with a magnitude of square root of 2. d)a vector directed at an angle of 150 degrees with a magnitude of 6. What I tried to do is to find the scalar quantity with the...
  10. A

    Statistics -> Variance and Linear Combinations

    Having a lot of trouble with a particular problem in the topic of variance. The problem is: "Suppose you are organizing a game where you charge players $2 to roll two dice and then you pay them the difference in scores. What is the variance in your profit from each game? If you are playing a...
  11. A

    Solving Linear Combinations of Positive Stamp Values

    this is quite a classic problem i think but I am having difficulty finishing it off. If we have two stamps of positive values a and b, (greater than 1), what values can be expressed as a linear combination of these 2 stamps. If the stamps have a highest common factor greater than 1, then there...
  12. F

    Find Linear Combinations for {1, x, x^2, x^3}

    {1, x, x(x-1), x(x-1)(x-2)} you want to find the linear combinations that will give you 1, x, x^2, x^3 a + a(x) + a(x(x-1)) + a(x(x-1)(x-2)) = 1 a + a(x) + a(x(x-1)) + a(x(x-1)(x-2)) = x a + a(x) + a(x(x-1)) + a(x(x-1)(x-2)) = x^2 a + a(x) + a(x(x-1)) + a(x(x-1)(x-2)) = x^3 I don't...
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