Cartan lemma

Let V be a vector space (typically V=Tp∗M). Given linearly independent elements v1,…,vp∈V and provided that w1,…,wp are such that

v1∧w1+⋯+vp∧wp=0

in ΛV then there exist scalars hij=hji such that

wi=∑j=1phijvj

Moreover, hij=hji.

Proof. See @spivak1999comprehensive vol 3 page 18. ◼

Related: Do not confuse with Cartan formula.