MTH165

Lecture-3

Linear Dependence
and
Linear Independence of vectors
Unit 1: Linear Algebra

(Book: Advanced Engineering Mathematics by Jain and Iyengar,Chapter-3)

Topic:

Linear Dependence and Linear Independence of Vectors

Learning Outcomes:

1. Definition of Linear Dependence and Linear Independence of Vectors.

2. Calculation of L.D. and L.I. using determinants.

3. Calculation of L.D. and L.I. using rank.

Linear Dependence and Linear Independence of Vectors:

A finite set of vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 ,−− −𝑣𝑛 is said to be linearly dependent

If 𝛼1 𝑣1 + 𝛼2 𝑣2 + 𝛼3 𝑣3 + ⋯ + 𝛼𝑛 𝑣𝑛 = 0 (1)

Such that 𝛼1 , 𝛼2 , 𝛼3 ,−− −𝛼𝑛 are not all zero.

A finite set of vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 ,−− −𝑣𝑛 is said to be linearly independent

If 𝛼1 𝑣1 + 𝛼2 𝑣2 + 𝛼3 𝑣3 + ⋯ + 𝛼𝑛 𝑣𝑛 = 0 (1)

Such that 𝛼1 , 𝛼2 , 𝛼3 ,−− −𝛼𝑛 are all zero.

To calculate L.D. and L.I. using Determinants:

If 𝐴 be any 𝑛 × 𝑛 matrix 𝑛 = 3 𝑜𝑟 2 , obtained by replacing rows and

columns of the matrix by set of 𝑛 vectors, then the vectors are said to
be:

(I) Linearly dependent (L.D.) if and only if 𝐴 = 0

(II) Linearly independent (L.I.) if and only if 𝐴 ≠ 0

Problem: Show that the vectors 𝑣1 = 1,0,0 , 𝑣2 = 0,1,0 , 𝑣3 = 0,0,1
are linearly independent.

1 0 0
Solution. Let 𝐴 = 0 1 0
0 0 1
Expanding by first row,

𝐴 = 1 1−0 −0 0−0 +0 0−0 = 1 ≠ 0

Since 𝐴 ≠ 0, so the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 are linearly independent.

Problem: Show that the vectors 𝑣1 = 3,1,6 , 𝑣2 = 2,0,4 , 𝑣3 = 2,1,4
are linearly dependent.

3 1 6
Solution. Let 𝐴 = 2 0 4
2 1 4
Expanding by first row,

𝐴 = 3 0−4 −1 8−8 +6 2−0 = 0

Since 𝐴 = 0, so the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 are linearly dependent.

To calculate L.D. and L.I. using Rank method:

1. If the rank of the matrix of given vectors is equal to the number of

vectors, then the vectors are Linearly independent.

2. If the rank of the matrix of given vectors is less than the number of
vectors, then the vectors are Linearly dependent.
Problem: Show that the vectors 𝑣1 = 1,2,3 , 𝑣2 = 3,4,5 , 𝑣3 = 6,7,8
are linearly dependent.

1 2 3
Solution. Let 𝐴 = 3 4 5
6 7 8

1 2 3 𝑅 − 3𝑅
2 1
~ 0 −2 −4 𝑅 − 6𝑅
0 −5 −10 3 1
 1 2 3
𝐴~ 0 1 2 𝑅2 /−2
0 −5 −10

1 2 3
~ 0 1 2 𝑅3 + 5𝑅2
0 0 0
Here 𝑟 𝐴 = 2 < 3 (Number of vectors)

So, the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 are linearly dependent.

* (Try Using Determinant)

Problem: Show that the vectors 𝑣1 = 2,2,1 , 𝑣2 = 1, −1,1 , 𝑣3 = 1,0,1
are linearly independent.

2 2 1
Solution. Let 𝐴 = 1 −1 1
1 0 1

1 −1 1
~ 2 2 1 𝑅1 ↔ 𝑅2
1 0 1
 1 −1 1 𝑅 − 2𝑅
𝐴~ 0 4 −1 𝑅2 − 𝑅 1
3 1
0 1 0

Here 𝑟 𝐴 = 3 = (Number of vectors)

So, the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 are linearly independent.

* (Try Using Determinant)

Problem: Check if the vectors 𝑣1 = 1,3,4 , 𝑣2 = 1,1,0 , 𝑣3 = 1,4,2 ,
𝑣4 = 1, −2,1 are linearly dependent or independent.

1 3 4 1 3 4 𝑅 −𝑅
1 1 0 0 −2 −4 2 1
Solution. Let 𝐴 = ~ 𝑅3 − 𝑅1
1 4 2 0 1 −2
𝑅4 − 𝑅1
1 −2 1 0 −5 −3

1 3 4
0 1 −2
~ 𝑅2 ↔ 𝑅3
0 −2 −4
0 −5 −3
 1 3 4
0 1 −2 𝑅3 + 2𝑅2
𝐴~
0 0 −8 𝑅4 + 5𝑅2
0 0 −13

1 3 4
0 1 −2 13
~ 𝑅4 − 8 𝑅3
0 0 −8
0 0 0
Here 𝑟 𝐴 = 3 < 4 (Number of vectors)
So, the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 , are linearly dependent.
Problem: Check if the vectors 𝑣1 = 1,2,3, −1 , 𝑣2 = 0,1, −1,2 , 𝑣3 = 1,5,1,8 ,

𝑣4 = −1,7,8,3 are linearly dependent or independent.

1 2 3 −1 1 2 3 −1
0 1 −1 2 0 1 −1 2 𝑅3 − 𝑅1
Solution. Let 𝐴 = 1 5 1 8 ~ 0 3 −2 9 𝑅4 + 𝑅1
−1 7 8 3 0 9 11 2

1 2 3 −1 1 2 3 −1
0 1 −1 2 𝑅3 − 3𝑅2 0 1 −1 2
~ 0 0 1 3 𝑅4 − 9𝑅2 ~ 0 0 1 3 𝑅4 − 20𝑅3
0 0 20 −16 0 0 0 −76
Here 𝑟 𝐴 = 4 = (Number of vectors)

So, the given vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 , 𝑣4 are linearly independent.

Problem: Show that the vectors 𝑣1 = 1, −2 , 𝑣2 = 2,1 , 𝑣3 = 3,2
are linearly dependent and find the relation between them.

Solution. Let us consider the relation:

𝛼1 𝑣1 + 𝛼2 𝑣2 + 𝛼3 𝑣3 = 0 (1)

Where 𝛼1 , 𝛼2 , 𝛼3 are arbitrary constants.

⟹ 𝛼1 1, −2 + 𝛼2 2,1 + 𝛼3 3,2 = 0,0

⟹ 𝛼1 + 2𝛼2 + 3𝛼3 , −2𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 2𝛼3 = (0,0)

 ⟹ 𝛼1 + 2𝛼2 + 3𝛼3 = 0 (2)

and −2𝛼1 + 𝛼2 + 2𝛼3 = 0 (3)

Solving equations (2) and (3):

Coeff. Of 𝜶𝟐 𝜶𝟑 𝜶𝟏 𝜶𝟐

2 3 1 2

1 2 -2 1
𝛼1 𝛼2 𝛼3
= = = 𝜆 𝑠𝑎𝑦 ⟹ 𝛼1 = 𝜆, 𝛼2 = −8𝜆, 𝛼3 = 5𝜆
4−3 −6−2 1+4

Since 𝛼1 , 𝛼2 , 𝛼3 are not all zero, so the vectors 𝑣1 , 𝑣2 , 𝑣3 are linearly

dependent.
Relation between the vectors 𝒗𝟏 , 𝒗𝟐 , 𝒗𝟑 :

Since 𝛼1 𝑣1 + 𝛼2 𝑣2 + 𝛼3 𝑣3 = 0 (1)

Also 𝛼1 = 𝜆, 𝛼2 = −8𝜆, 𝛼3 = 5𝜆

So, from equation (1)

𝜆𝑣1 − 8𝜆𝑣2 + 5𝜆𝑣3 = 0

⟹ 𝜆 𝑣1 − 8𝑣2 + 5𝑣3 = 0

⟹ 𝑣1 − 8𝑣2 + 5𝑣3 = 0 which is the required relation.