3.II.10B

Linear Algebra | Part IB, 2005

Let SS be the vector space of functions f:R→Rf: \mathbf{R} \rightarrow \mathbf{R} such that the nnth derivative of ff is defined and continuous for every n⩾0n \geqslant 0. Define linear maps A,B:S→SA, B: S \rightarrow S by A(f)=df/dxA(f)=d f / d x and B(f)(x)=xf(x)B(f)(x)=x f(x). Show that

[A,B]=1S,[A, B]=1_{S},

where in this question [A,B][A, B] means AB−BAA B-B A and 1S1_{S} is the identity map on SS.

Now let VV be any real vector space with linear maps A,B:V→VA, B: V \rightarrow V such that [A,B]=1V[A, B]=1_{V}. Suppose that there is a nonzero element y∈Vy \in V with Ay=0A y=0. Let WW be the subspace of VV spanned by y,By,B2yy, B y, B^{2} y, and so on. Show that A(By)A(B y) is in WW and give a formula for it. More generally, show that A(Biy)A\left(B^{i} y\right) is in WW for each i⩾0i \geqslant 0, and give a formula for it.

Show, using your formula or otherwise, that {y,By,B2y,…}\left\{y, B y, B^{2} y, \ldots\right\} are linearly independent. (Or, equivalently: show that y,By,B2y,…,Bnyy, B y, B^{2} y, \ldots, B^{n} y are linearly independent for every n⩾0n \geqslant 0.)

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