We consider the coordinates of space vectors in different bases, see the figure.
A
It is apparent from the figure above, that $\mathbf a$, $\mathbf b$ and $\mc$ are linearly independent. A basis m is given by $(\mathbf a, \mathbf b,\mathbf c)$. Determine the coordinate vector $_\mathrm m\mathbf d$.
It is also apparent from the figure that $(\mathbf a, \mathbf b,\mathbf d)$ is a basis, let us call this basis for n. Determine the coordinate vector $_\mathrm n\mathbf c$.
hint
From the previous question we get
$\mathbf d= 2\mathbf a+\frac 12 \mathbf b +\mathbf c\,.$ Isolate $\mathbf c$.
Find the volume of the parallelepiped using the formula: the area of the base times the height.
hint
If you as base choose the parallelogram in the $(x,y)$-plane that is spanned by $\,\ma\,$ and $\,\mb\,,$ the area of the base is - as is well known - the length of the cross product of $\,\mathbf N=\ma \times \mb\,.$ The height is found as the length of proj$(\mc,\mathbf N)\,$.
answer
The length of the cross product is 2, and the length of the projection is $\,\frac 32 \,.$ Therefore the volume is 3.
Determine using Maple the determinant of the matrix that has the three vectors as columns. Are the three vectors linearly independent?
B
A consequence of a correct answer to the first question is that at least one of the three vectors can be written as a linear combination of the others. Write one of the three vectors as a linear combinations of the other two.
hint
See e.g. Example 10.42 in eNote 10.
answer
As an example it applies that:
$$
(-5,3,3)=-3(3,1,5)+2(2,3,9)\,.$$
C
State the volume of the parallelepiped that is spanned by the vectors $\,(3,1,5),\,(2,3,9)\,\,\,\mathrm{and}\,\,\,(-5,3,3)\,.$
answer
It must be 0, since the vectors are linearly dependent (they lie in the same plane, and span nothing spacelike).
D
Determine a vector that is perpendicular to both $\,(3,1,5)\,$ and $\,(2,3,9)\,,$ and that together with the two vectors spans a parallelepiped with the volume $187\,.$
answer
Two possibilities: $\,(-3,-17/2,7/2)\,$ and $\,(3,17/2,-7/2)\,.$