Principles of Quantum Mechanics · Problem 1.1.4

Mathematical Introduction — R. Shankar

Physics — Quantum Mechanics · linear-independence

Problem

Consider three elements from the vector space of real 2×22 \times 2 matrices: ∣1⟩=[0100]∣2⟩=[1101]∣3⟩=[−2−10−2]|1\rangle = \begin{bmatrix} 0 & 1 \\ 0 & 0 \end{bmatrix} \qquad |2\rangle = \begin{bmatrix} 1 & 1 \\ 0 & 1 \end{bmatrix} \qquad |3\rangle = \begin{bmatrix} -2 & -1 \\ 0 & -2 \end{bmatrix} Are they linearly independent? Support your answer with details. (Notice we are calling these matrices vectors and using kets to represent them to emphasize their role as elements of a vector space.)

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