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| Math Central | Quandaries & Queries |
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Question from Nazrul, a teacher: Given that a and b are two non zero vectors and ma+nb=0 where m and n are two scalars. How can I prove that m=n=0. |
In general you cannot. The nonexistence of solutions in which m and n are nonzero is (by definition) equivalent to the linear independence of the vectors. Any method that establishes linear independence of a and b also established that m=n=0.
Good Hunting!
-RD
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