Linear dependence and independence of vectors

A set of vectors is linearly dependent if one of them can be formed by a linear 'combination'
of the others. This linear 'combination' can only be found by multiplying the other vectors by
a non-zero scalar and adding.
Hence we have that a = mb + nc proves linear dependence where m,n R\{0}
Consider this example with a set of 3 vectors a, b and c.

b
The question for dependence is can a be formed by a linear combination of b and c?
First I slide b to start at tail of a, and slide c to end at head of a (shown in red below)

Now I can use scalar multiples of b and c which I will call m and n respectively.
I need to lengthen b, so m > 1 and I need to reduce c, so n < 1.
(In this case m = 2 and n = 0.8)
The results are shown in green below.

nc
a

c
mb
b

Hence we have that

a = mb + nc and this proves linear dependence.

Note: If vectors are not linearly dependent, then they are linearly independent.
Hypothesis 1: If we have 3 vectors that are all 2 dimensional (i,j components only) then they
will always be linearly dependent unless a pair of them are parallel.
Check the above out with plenty of paper and a pencil and see if you agree!
Example 1
Suppose a = 12i + 13j and b = i - j and c = 2i + 3j then a = 2b + 5c.
(It is very useful to draw a diagram to show how this works.)
This then makes a, b & c linearly dependent.
Algebra to do this would be:
set a = mb + nc
equating i components gives 12 = m +2n
equating j components gives 13 = -m +3n
Solve these simultaneous equations and get m = 2 and n = 5 to prove dependence.
Hypothesis 2: If we have 3 vectors that are all 3 dimensional (i,j & k components) then they
will be linearly dependent much less often!
Use 3 pens to convince yourself of this!
Example 2: consider a = i + j + 4k, b = 4i + j + k and c = i j +3k.
Using pens, can you see that these 3 vectors cannot be dependent?
Algebra to assist this would be:
set a = mb + nc in an attempt to show dependence.
equating i components gives 1 = 4m +n
equating j components gives 1 = m - n
equating k components gives 4 = m + 3n
Solve the first 2 simultaneous equations and get m = 2/5 and n = -3/5.
This produces a contradiction in the 3rd equation.
Hence the 3 vectors are linearly independent.
The simpler (trivial) case: A set of 2 vectors
For 2 vectors, the only way one can be formed by a linear combination of the other is if they
are parallel in the first place. For example if a = 2i + 2j and b = i + j (which means they are
parallel) then we can say that a can be formed by a linear combination of b, namely a = 2b.
In other words for a set of 2 vectors they are only linearly dependent if the 2 vectors are
parallel. Else they are linearly independent.

Another definition: Linearly dependent vectors can be drawn as a linear combination that
forms a triangle. (This means linearly dependent vectors are always co-planar!)
Since the 3 vertices of a triangle reside on a common plane, this explains why 2 dimensional
vectors that dont have a parallel pair, but sit on a common plane (or piece of paper!) are
linearly dependent.
It also means that 3 vectors with i,j&k components (3 dimensional) that form the sides of a
triangle, will be linearly dependent.
Example 3a
Consider the 3 points mentioned above in Example 2: A(1,1,4) B(4,1,1) and C(1,-1,3).
,
of the triangle ABC will be linearly dependent.
I contend that the vector sides
,
+

Lets see if we can solve

=
3
0
3
i.e. ( 0 )=m(2) + ( 2 )
3
1
2

equating i components gives 3 = 3n

equating j components gives 0 = -2m + 2n
equating k components gives -3 = -m - 2n

Solve the first 2 simultaneous equations and get m = 1 and n = 1.

This is also the solution of the 3rd equation, hence the 3 vectors are linearly dependent.
Why, of course, do the scalars equal one?
Example 3b
Explain why the unit vectors of
,
,
would be linearly dependent.
Find the values of m and n that would be required in this case?
In what specific circumstance would m = n for such a unit vector triangle?
Hypothesis 3
If we have 3 vectors that are 3 dimensional and exactly 2 of them are parallel, then they
cannot be linearly dependent.