[guided]We want to show that $S = \{v_1, \ldots, v_n\}$, which is linearly independent by hypothesis, also spans $V$. The strategy is to extend $S$ to a basis using a known theorem, then use cardinality to conclude the extension is vacuous.
The [Extension of Independent Sets to Bases](/theorems/3270) states: if $\{u_1, \ldots, u_k\}$ is a linearly independent subset of a vector space of dimension $n$ with $k \le n$, then there exist vectors $v_{k+1}, \ldots, v_n$ such that $\{u_1, \ldots, u_k, v_{k+1}, \ldots, v_n\}$ is a basis for $V$.
We apply this theorem with $k = n$. The theorem guarantees the existence of vectors $v_{n+1}, \ldots, v_n$ completing $S$ to a basis. But the index range from $n+1$ to $n$ is empty, so no new vectors are appended.
Therefore $S = \{v_1, \ldots, v_n\}$ is itself a basis for $V$. In particular, since every basis spans $V$, the set $S$ spans $V$.
The underlying principle is that in a vector space of dimension $n$, a linearly independent set cannot exceed $n$ elements. When such a set has exactly $n$ elements, the extension theorem forces the extension to be trivial, leaving the original set as a basis.[/guided]