Definition of 0 vector

Created almost 9 years ago, updated 6 months ago

Definition: The zero vector (or \(\mathbf{0}\) vector) in \(\mathbb{F}^n\) is the vector whose every component is zero:

\[\mathbf{0} = (0, 0, \ldots, 0) \in \mathbb{F}^n\]

Properties:

  • Additive identity: For any \(\mathbf{v} \in \mathbb{F}^n\): \(\mathbf{v} + \mathbf{0} = \mathbf{v}\)
  • Scalar multiplication by zero: \(0 \cdot \mathbf{v} = \mathbf{0}\) for any \(\mathbf{v}\)
  • Multiplication by zero vector: \(a \cdot \mathbf{0} = \mathbf{0}\) for any scalar \(a\)
  • Self-inverse: \(\mathbf{0} = -\mathbf{0}\)

Examples:

  • In \(\mathbb{R}^2\): \(\mathbf{0} = (0, 0)\)
  • In \(\mathbb{R}^3\): \(\mathbf{0} = (0, 0, 0)\)
  • In \(\mathbb{C}^4\): \(\mathbf{0} = (0+0i, 0+0i, 0+0i, 0+0i)\)

Role: The zero vector is the additive identity element of the vector space \(\mathbb{F}^n\) — it is one of the ten algebraic properties that define a vector space.

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