# Is following subset W of V also a subspace?

Under following conditions

$a, b \in \mathbb{R}, V = \mathbb{R}^{2}, W = \{(x, y)\ |\ ax + by = 0 \}$

is W a subspace of V? I know the basics, but how would I prove that addition and multiplication are closed over this subset?

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## 1 Answer

Let $(v_1,v_2),(w_1,w_2)\in W.$ We have $$\begin{cases} av_1+bv_2=0\\ aw_1+bw_2=0 \end{cases}$$ What happens when you add these equations? What happens when you multiply the first equation by a real number $r$?

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Thanks, this is actually very clear to me now.. I feel stupid for not seeing that myself. So it is obviously a subspace, since both new equations you mention are still zero? – Mats Jan 24 '12 at 23:28
Comment corrected. Yes. Only you need to use the algebraic properties of the real numbers to see the vectors $(v_1+w_1,v_2+w_2)$ and $(rv_1,rv_2)$ in the resulting equations. – user23211 Jan 24 '12 at 23:39
Yes, of course. Thanks a lot! – Mats Jan 24 '12 at 23:49
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