Subspaces of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$

Question

I'm working my way through Axler's "Linear Algebra Done Right", and I've run into a proposition that I don't understand. Namely:

The set of differentiable real-valued functions $f$ on the interval (0, 3) such that $f'(2)=b$ is a subspace of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$ if and only if $b=0$.

My intution is that this has something to do with the fact that a subspace requires an additive identity, but that because the domain of the differentiable functions is open and exludes 0, we have to make some concessions (i.e. $f'(2) = 0$), though I'm unsure of how to work up a proof that backs this.

Why must $f'(2) = 0$ to form a subspace of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$?

See also: https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/1120260/the-set-of-differentiable-functions-such-that-f2-b-is-a-linear-subspace-if?rq=1, https://math.stackexchange.com/questions/4343177/vector-subspaces-axler-example-1-35 — DilithiumMatrix, Dec 27 '21 at 19:11

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Jul 05 '16 at 00:01

5

Hint: $$(f+g)\in\text{That Set}\iff b=(f+g)'(2)=f'(2)+g'(2)=b+b.$$

answered Jul 05 '16 at 00:01

Workaholic

6,763

Could the proposition have been phrased to use any real value on the interval (0,3)? – HandsomeGorilla Jul 05 '16 at 00:06
1

Are you asking whether with $f'(c)=b$ we will always have $b=0$ regardless of the value of $c$? If so, then the answer is yes, as the proof wont change if we choose for instance $1$ instead of $2$, or any value in $(0,3)$ for that matter. – Workaholic Jul 05 '16 at 00:12
Yes, that's correct. Could we have used $f'(1) = b$ instead? – HandsomeGorilla Jul 05 '16 at 00:17
1

Yes. $ { } { } $ – Workaholic Jul 05 '16 at 00:18
So , is it a constant function ? $f'(k)$ = 0 for all values of k between 1 and 3 – Karthik Feb 17 '21 at 07:57

score 0 · Answer 2 · answered Jul 05 '16 at 14:57

I would just like to address the paragraph regarding intuition and the additive identity: That intuition is incorrect.

First, we should define the object that we wish to verify is a subspace of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$ in something a little more precise than the natural language which it is first presented in. We want to examine a set, $S$, where $$S=\{x,f\ |\ 0 \lt x \lt 3,\ f\ \epsilon\ \mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}\ \land\ f'(x) = 0\}$$

Specifically, we're charged with proving the restriction on the derivative of $f$, and this is best done in the manner alluded to by Workaholic.

The reason my initial intuition about the problem is ultimately incorrect has to do with the fact that $S$, as defined above, defines a functional space. I was handicapping myself by thinking about it purely as a geometric space. Consequently, I failed to see that the zero function (which is the additive identity in a functional space) is a natural member of $S$.

The reason $f'(x)$ must be zero for $f\ \epsilon\ S$ is that if it were otherwise $S$ would not be closed under addition, and therefore not a subspace of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$.

Subspaces of $\mathbb{R}^{(0,3)}$

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