Customer Reviews

Elementary Linear Algebra

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

I've been using Anton for my linear algebra classes since 1984, and have gone through nine editions. The ninth edition seems much more confusing than previous editions. He often moves text around without seeing that it makes sense in the new context: a theorem will use notation that isn't introduced until later, for example. He comes back to eigenvalues and eigenvectors over and over, looking at them from different perspectives. This should work if done well, but instead it confuses my students. I'm going to look for another book for the next time I teach the class.

Iam using this textbook for a college linear algebra class. I have never been more frustrated with a textbook in my life! I am half-way through the semester and i've pretty much resorted to youtube lectures to learn the material. The book is virtually useless to me. Every time I finish a section I try to answer the exercise questions and find that the topics havent been covered in a clear way and I have trouble answering alot of the questions. Not only that but I head to the back of the book to check my answers and often find there arent any solutions. The solutions are few in this textbook. Stay away from this one!

While sort of ok at times, there is one fatal flaw in this version (and the answer key) if you're the unlucky student trying to learn from it. Compared with almost any other math textbook out there the answer key is extremely sparse, even the additional cost of the "student solution manual". There's a reason why almost every single math textbook out there has at least all of the odd answers - simple, it's pointless to do a bunch of math problems and have no ability to check ones work.

Funny part is that despite cutting out the answer key inhibiting student's ability to learn from their mistakes, the cost went up for the shorter book. I had to supplement this textbook with two other support books to have enough practice problems which were solved in order to learn the topic.

If you are signing up for a class which uses this textbook, see if there's an alternate course with a better text.

This is the worst LA book I have ever seen.
I would not imagine why any instructor would choose it as a text for the class unless he is paid for it.
Horrible book with horrible exercises (just pile of pencil pushers with no thinking involved).

I am currently taking an Elementary Linear Algebra class for college and this book is beyond frustrating. The book barely covers any basics and examples are few and useless. The exercise sets provided are beyond the text and examples provided in the book. Even after purchasing a solution manual, the problems make little sense. Similar to another reviewer of this book, I have resorted to online discussion boards and youtube videos to compliment the lectures from class.

Now this is my first Linear Algebra book, before I took the class I wanted to buy a book for me to study the material or atleast become familiar with the subject so I went online and started searching for the different authors and what should i be searching for when buying a math book, now i first began my search at the local library where they had a excellenct selection of math books and thats when I found a book from the 1910, excellent work and proof. Now I feel this book gave me the similar feeling, this book was also needed for my class so I went ahead and purchased it.

I must say everything is in great detail.
Follow by examples.

The delievery was on time. It's a good deal.
But this is a difficult book. It's very hard to understand.
Reading the book is painful.

Anton gives a skilled exposition of a first course in linear algebra. The concept of a vector space is developed. From which the ideas of vectors and matrices naturally flow, where the latter map from one vector space to another. There is a nice stress on the student grasping a geometric picture. This helps her develop a qualitative understanding of the concepts.

Standard results, like the rank-nullity theorem are proven. And the utility of determinants is shown. Later in the book, calculus applications are discussed. The book assumes you already know some simple calculus. Then, eigenvalues and eigenvectors are derived for linear differential systems. Very important in engineering and physics.

Book was a little more worn than expected. Delivery was very prompt. Satisfied with purchase; would buy again.

This book was very new and had no problems. It was a great book and shipment was fast.