Daily Dose of Math

Prove that for any vector space such that $\ dim V \geq 2$, there must exist $S, T \in \mathcal{L} (V, W)$ such that $ST \ne TS$.

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Proof : Let $e_1, ..., e_n$ be a basis of $V$. Define $S, T$ as followed:

• $\ Te_1 = e_2, Te_2 = e_1,$ and $\ Te_i = e_i$ for $\ i \geq 2$,

• $\ Se_i = 2e_i$ for $\ \forall i$.

  Clearly such maps exist. Furthermore,
  

  $$STe_1 = Se_2 = 2e_2$$
  but
  $$TSe_1 = Te_1 = e_1$$
  which implies that
  $$ST \ne TS.$$
  $\ \Box$