Suppose that $B, C \in M_3(R) $ are three-by-three matrices over $R$. Suppose that there is an open set $U \subset R^3$ so that for all vectors $u, v \in U$ we have $u^TBv = u^TCv$. Prove that $B = C$.
This is part of a homework assignment, so any hint will help. Thanks.
Given $u^TBv = u^TCv$ $\forall u,v\in U\subset\mathbb{R}^3$
Consider $A=(B-C)$, let $v\in U$, then $$\|Av\|_2^2 = (Av,Av)=v^tA^TAv=0$$ we got that $\|Av\|_2=0,\forall v\in U$, therefore $A=0$ and hence $B=C$.
This could only be true for an open subset (of $\mathbb{R}^3$ in this case), because otherwise $U$ could be a discrete set, e.g. subset of the kernel of $A$, for which the last argument above won't work.