Solution
= Solution
If $y\ne0$, the equation would imply $b=-(x/y)a$, contradicting the assumed nonparallel directions. Hence $y=0$. Then $xa=0$ and $a\ne0$ force $x=0$. This proves that the two <vectors> are <linearly independent>.
= Solution
If $y\ne0$, the equation would imply $b=-(x/y)a$, contradicting the assumed nonparallel directions. Hence $y=0$. Then $xa=0$ and $a\ne0$ force $x=0$. This proves that the two <vectors> are <linearly independent>.