proof of rank-nullity theorem
Let be a linear mapping, with finite-dimensional. We wish to show that
The images of a basis of will span , and hence isfinite-dimensional. Choose then a basis of and choose preimages such that
Choose a basis of . The result will followonce we show that is a basis of .
Let be given. Since , by definition, we canchoose scalars such that
Linearity of now implies thatand hence we can choose scalars such that
Therefore span .
Next, let be scalars such that
By applying to both sides of this equation it follows that
and since are linearly independent that
Consequently
as well, and since are also assumed to be linearlyindependent we conclude that
also. Therefore are linearlyindependent, and are therefore a basis. Q.E.D.