Question

Let \(M\) be an \(R\) -module. Suppose \(\left\\{\alpha_{i}\right\\}_{i=1}^{n}\) is a linearly independent family of elements of \(M\). Show that for every \(J \subseteq\\{1, \ldots, n\\},\) the subfamily \(\left\\{\alpha_{j}\right\\}_{j \in J}\) is also linearly independent.

Short answer

Question: Prove that if a family of elements in a module M is linearly independent, then any subfamily of those elements is also linearly independent. Answer: We showed that if the original family of elements is linearly independent, then any subfamily of those elements is also linearly independent. We considered a subfamily and used the property of the original family's linear independence to conclude that the same condition holds for the subfamily. Thus, any subfamily of a linearly independent family of elements is also linearly independent.

Step-by-step solution

Definition of linear independence

Recall the definition of linear independence: A family of elements \(\left\\{\alpha_{i}\right\\}_{i=1}^{n}\) in a module \(M\) is linearly independent if and only if for each finite sequence of distinct elements \(i_{1}, i_{2}, \ldots, i_{k} \in \\{1, \ldots, n\\}\) and scalars \(r_{i_{1}}, r_{i_{2}}, \ldots, r_{i_{k}}\) in \(R\), we have: $$r_{i_{1}} \alpha_{i_{1}} + r_{i_{2}} \alpha_{i_{2}} + \cdots + r_{i_{k}} \alpha_{i_{k}} = 0 \implies r_{i_{1}} = r_{i_{2}} = \cdots = r_{i_{k}} = 0.$$

Consider a subfamily

Let \(J \subseteq \\{1, \ldots, n\\}\). We want to show that the subfamily of elements \(\left\\{\alpha_{j}\right\\}_{j \in J}\) is also linearly independent. Consider any finite sequence of distinct elements \(j_{1}, j_{2}, \ldots, j_{l}\) from J along with scalars \(s_{j_{1}}, s_{j_{2}}, \ldots, s_{j_{l}}\) in \(R\). Then we have: $$s_{j_{1}}\alpha_{j_{1}} + s_{j_{2}}\alpha_{j_{2}} + \cdots + s_{j_{l}}\alpha_{j_{l}}.$$

Apply original linear independence to subfamily

Since the original family is linearly independent, we have: $$r_{i_{1}} \alpha_{i_{1}} + r_{i_{2}} \alpha_{i_{2}} + \cdots + r_{i_{k}} \alpha_{i_{k}} = 0 \implies r_{i_{1}} = r_{i_{2}} = \cdots = r_{i_{k}} = 0$$ for any finite sequence of distinct elements \(i_{1}, i_{2}, \ldots, i_{k} \in \\{1, \ldots, n\\}\) and scalars \(r_{i_{1}}, r_{i_{2}}, \ldots, r_{i_{k}}\) in \(R\). Since \(j_{1}, j_{2}, \ldots, j_{l} \in J \subseteq \\{1, \ldots, n\\}\), if $$s_{j_{1}}\alpha_{j_{1}} + s_{j_{2}}\alpha_{j_{2}} + \cdots + s_{j_{l}}\alpha_{j_{l}} = 0,$$ then $$s_{j_{1}} = s_{j_{2}} = \cdots = s_{j_{l}} = 0$$ by the linear independence of the original family.

Conclude subfamily's linear independence

Since: $$s_{j_{1}}\alpha_{j_{1}} + s_{j_{2}}\alpha_{j_{2}} + \cdots + s_{j_{l}}\alpha_{j_{l}} = 0 \implies s_{j_{1}} = s_{j_{2}} = \cdots = s_{j_{l}} = 0$$ for any finite sequence of distinct elements \(j_{1}, j_{2}, \ldots, j_{l} \in J\) and scalars \(s_{j_{1}}, s_{j_{2}}, \ldots, s_{j_{l}}\) in \(R\), we conclude that the subfamily \(\left\\{\alpha_{j}\right\\}_{j \in J}\) is also linearly independent.

Key concepts

R-modules

An R-module is a mathematical structure that extends the idea of vectors in a vector space to a more general setting. Think of it as a playground where we can combine elements (like numbers or functions) with elements from a ring R through operations similar to addition and multiplication. In this playground, elements of the module can be added together just like numbers, and they can also be scaled, not by numbers, but by the elements of R.

For example, if we're working with a module over the ring of integers, we can multiply elements in our module by integers, a concept directly borrowed from how we scale vectors in a vector space with real numbers. A module M over a ring R behaves much like a vector space, except it's not limited to only having a field like real or complex numbers as its set of scalars; it can work with a broader set of objects that form a ring.

Subfamily of Elements

Imagine a family of elements in an R-module as members of a big, diverse family. Each member has a unique role, but together, they form a cohesive group. When we talk about a subfamily of this group, we're essentially saying that we've picked a few members from the larger family to focus on.

A subfamily shares many properties with the larger family. In our context, if the larger family of elements is linearly independent (meaning, loosely speaking, no member is a 'copycat' of another through a combination of other members), any subfamily we choose will also possess this same quality of linear independence. It's like saying, if none in the larger family depends on others, then picking a few won't suddenly make them dependent. Therefore, understanding the behavior of the entire family can give us insights into the subfamily and vice versa.

Scalar Multiplication in Modules

Scalar multiplication in modules is akin to giving a 'power-up' to the elements in our module. Just as in video games, your character might get multiplied strength from a power-up; elements in a module get 'scaled up' (or down) by elements from the ring R.

For instance, if our element is represented by a vector and our scalar by a number, scaling would mean stretching or shrinking the vector by that number. In an R-module, you can do the same thing, but instead of numbers, you use the elements of R.

• The rule here is: it has to be consistent with the rules of the ring and the module's addition.
• All the usual intuitive properties apply, such as scaling by zero gives the zero element, and scaling by one leaves the element unchanged.

Understanding scalar multiplication is crucial for grasping concepts like linear independence in modules, as it tells us how the elements can interact and combine to form new elements within the module.