 Solution

The zero-composition subspaces of a linear map are subspaces because the defining equations are homogeneous linear equations in $\beta$: they hold for the zero map and are preserved by addition and scalar multiplication. A map with $\beta \alpha =0$ vanishes on $\mathrm{im}\alpha$, so it factors uniquely through the quotient vector space $V/\mathrm{im}\alpha$. Conversely every map from that quotient to $U$ gives such a $\beta$. ThereforeThe condition $\alpha \beta =0$ says exactly that the image of $\beta$ lies in $\ker \alpha$. ConsequentlyBoth dimension formulas use the fact that the space of maps between spaces of dimensions $p,q$ has dimension $pq$: matrix units in any chosen bases supply a basis.