Past exam of the mathematics course of the University of Cambridge / 2013 / ib / Paper 1 / 9E (Linear Algebra)

The external direct sum of vector spaces consists of pairs $(v_1,v_2)$ with componentwise operations. For subspaces of one ambient space, the sum of vector subspaces is $V_1+V_2=\{v_1+v_2:v_i\in V_i\}$. The addition map from the external direct sum onto this subspace is surjective, with kernel $\{(w,-w):w\in V_1\cap V_2\}$. This kernel is isomorphic to the intersection. The rank-nullity theorem, together with $\dim (V_1\oplus V_2)=\dim V_1+\dim V_2$, proves the dimension formula for a sum of subspaces.

For the supplied bases, solving for annihilating linear forms givesEach basis has rank three, so these hyperplanes are the whole subspaces. The two independent equations make the intersection two-dimensional. Imposing the requested zero components yieldsBoth satisfy the two equations and are independent, since their first components differ while $v_1\ne 0$. Hence they form the required basis.