A subset (call it W) of vectors is a subspace when it satisfies these conditions:
- W contains the zero vector
- If two vectors u and v are in W, then u+v must also be in W. (This is called "closed under addition")
- If the vector v is in W, and k is some scalar (ie just some number), then kv must also be in W. (This is called "closed under scalar multiplication").
Testing these conditions is the best way to see if it's a subspace.