Linear Algebra/Basis Vectors

Definitions A basis of a vector space V is a set of vectors which have the following properties: They are linearly independent. Their linear combinations build up every vector of V. A vector space is of dimension d if there exists d linearly independent vectors and that any d+1 vectors are linearly dependent. Remarkable theorems Theorem In a vector space of dimension d, any d linearly independent vectors form a basis for that vector space. Proof Let there be d vectors. Let x be another vector. Then those d vectors and x are linearly dependent, so x is linearly dependent on those d vectors. Hence, those d vectors form a basis. Theorem If a vector space has d vectors for a basis, then it is of dimension d. Proof Theorem (completion) If you have m linearly independent vectors in a vector space of dimension n (with m<=n), then you can choose n-m vectors which form a basis of the vector space along with the starting m vectors. Proof Those m vectors do not form a basis since it is not equal to n, so there exists a vector in the vector space linearly independent of them. Continuing choosing vectors independent of the previous ones in this fashion until one has n vectors.