Question:hard

Let V be the real vector space consisting of all polynomials in one real variable with real coefficients of degree at most 6, including the zero polynomial. Then which one of the following options is true?

Show Hint

Check whether the zero polynomial lies in each set and whether the condition is linear and homogeneous.
Updated On: Jul 3, 2026
  • \(W_1=\{p\in V: p(1/2)\notin\mathbb{Q}\}\) is a subspace of V.
  • \(W_2=\{p\in V: p(1/2)=1\}\) is a subspace of V.
  • \(W_3=\{p\in V: p(1/2)=p(1)\}\) is a subspace of V.
  • \(W_4=\{p\in V: p'(1/2)=1\}\) is a subspace of V.
Show Solution

The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Instead of citing the kernel-of-a-linear-map fact, test each set directly against the three subspace axioms: contains 0, closed under addition, closed under scalar multiplication.
Step 2: $W_1$: the zero polynomial gives $0(1/2) = 0$, a rational number, so $0 \notin W_1$. Since every subspace must contain $0$, $W_1$ fails immediately.
Step 3: $W_2$: take $p(x) = 1$ and $q(x) = 2x$; both satisfy $p(1/2)=1$ and $q(1/2)=1$, so $p,q \in W_2$. But $(p+q)(1/2) = 1+1 = 2 \neq 1$, so $p+q \notin W_2$, meaning closure under addition fails. $W_2$ is not a subspace.
Step 4: $W_3$: let $p,q \in W_3$, so $p(1/2)=p(1)$ and $q(1/2)=q(1)$, and let $c$ be any scalar. Writing $s=p+q$ and $t=cp$: \[s(1/2) = p(1/2)+q(1/2) = p(1)+q(1) = s(1), \qquad t(1/2) = c\,p(1/2) = c\,p(1) = t(1)\] so $s,t \in W_3$. The zero polynomial trivially satisfies $0(1/2)=0=0(1)$, so $0 \in W_3$. All three axioms hold, so $W_3$ is a subspace.
Step 5: $W_4$: take $p(x) = x$, so $p'(x) = 1$ everywhere, giving $p'(1/2) = 1$, so $p \in W_4$. But $p+p = 2x$ has derivative $2$, so $(p+p)'(1/2) = 2 \neq 1$, meaning $p+p \notin W_4$. Closure under addition fails, so $W_4$ is not a subspace.
Step 6: Direct verification confirms only $W_3$ is a subspace. \[\boxed{W_3 = \{p \in V : p(1/2) = p(1)\}}\]
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