Vectors are linearly independent when the only combination producing the zero vector is the trivial one, testable by checking the null space of the matrix formed by those vectors.
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Definition of linear independence
State that forces all , and record two dependent examples: with , and any set containing the zero vector.
Null space test on the matrix of columns
Place the vectors as columns of and write the equivalence: independence holds exactly when the null space is , the rank equals , and no free variables appear.
More columns than rows forces dependence
Reproduce the argument that with leaves at least free variables, and apply it to any three vectors in the plane.