${x^3+x,5x^4-x^3+x^2,3x+2,4x}$ ,
V is the real vector space of all polynomials with real coefficients of degree at most 4.
I know to prove them form a basis, I need to show linear independence and the vectors span V.
I am clear on showing that the vectors are linearly independent, but I am not sure whether I am correct on showing the span or not.
My approach is to set $c_1(x^3+x) + c_2(5x^4 - x^3 + x^2) + c_3 (3x+2) + c_4(4x) = ax^4 + bx^3 + cx^2 + dx^1 + e$ and solve for $c_1,...,c_4$
Then I get $$5c_2 = a$$ $$c_1-c_2 = b$$ $$c_2 = c$$ $$c_1 + 3c_3 + 4c_4 = d$$ $$2c_3 = e$$
And I am confused after this step. From here, do I conclude that since $c_2 = c$ and $c_2 = a/5$, the set of vectors do not span V? My understand is: $a$ and $c$ have to have a 5 to 1 ratio so that the vector space can be written as linear combinations of the set of the vectors given. For example, if $a=5$, and $c=5$, then there does not exist $c_2$, and the vectors do not span V.
Is that correct? Thank you so much!
Yes your understanding is correct. Note also that you only have $4$ vectors, which can't be enough to span the $5$-dimensional $\Bbb R[X]_4$.