Question

Let T : V → W be a linear transformation from vector space V into vector space W.

Show that, if {v1, . . . , vp} is linearly dependent in V , then {T(v1), . . . , T(vp)} is linearly dependent in W.

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

Since {v1,...,vp} is linearly dependent, there exist scalars a1,...,ap, with not all of them being 0 such that a1v1+a2v2+...+apvp = 0. Using the linearity of T we have that

a1*T(v1)+a2*T(v1) + ... + ap*T(vp) = T(a1v19+T(a2v2)+...+T(avp) = T(a1v1+a2v2+...+apvp) = T(0) = 0.

Since at least one ai is different from 0, we obtain a non trivial linear combination that eliminates T(v1) , ..., T(vp). That proves that {T(v1) , ..., T(vp)} is a linearly dependent set of W.