Elementary Linear Algebra [Hardcover]

Ron Larson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0618335676 | ISBN-13: 978-0618335671 | Publication Date: June 4, 2003 | Edition: 005

The hallmark of this text has been the authors' clear, careful, and concise presentation of linear algebra so that students can fully understand how the mathematics works. The text balances theory with examples, applications, and geometric intuition."Learning Tools CD-ROM will be automatically packaged free with every new text purchased from Houghton Mifflin.Section 3.4, now named "Introduction to Eigenvalues," has been broken into two separate sections to provide more emphasis on the early introduction of eigenvalues. The new Section 3.5, "Applications of Determinants," covers the Adjoint of a Matrix; Cramer' s Rule; and the Area, Volume, and Equations of Lines and Planes.All real data in exercises and examples have been updated to reflect current statistics and information.This edition features more "Writing Exercises to reinforce critical-thinking skills and additional multi-part "True/False Questions in the end-of-section and chapter review exercise sets to encourage students to think about mathematics from different perspectives.Additional exercises involving larger matrices have been added to the exercise sets where appropriate. These exercises will be linked to the data sets found on the web site and the Learning Tools CD-ROM.Eduspace is Houghton Mifflin' s online learning tool. Powered by Blackboard, Eduspace is a customizable, powerful and interactive platform that provides instructors with text-specific online courses and content. The Larson "Elementary Linear Algebra course features algorithmic exercises and test bank content in question pools.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 560 pages
• Publisher: Brooks Cole; 005 edition (June 4, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0618335676
• ISBN-13: 978-0618335671
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 8.2 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #221,572 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A very good beginning book on Linear Algebra, September 7, 2008

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calvinnme - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Elementary Linear Algebra (Hardcover)

I really like the layout and presentation of subject matter in this textbook. If you want to self-teach, I can't think of a better companion text. Everything is clearly laid out in detail. It is oriented towards college sophomore and juniors who are also students of engineering or computer science. Knowledge of calculus is not required, although there are a couple of examples that use calculus that are clearly labeled and can be omitted without loss of continuity. There are theorems and proofs included, but this is very much an applied example-driven book. There is an abundance of diagrams and figures illustrating every point and example. There is currently a sixth edition, but if you can convince your instructor, go for this edition. I've seen the sixth edition and it offers no better a presentation than this one. Has matrix algebra somehow changed in the last five years? I don't think so. The following is the table of contents:
1. Systems of Linear Equations
2. Matrices
3. Determinants
4. Vector Spaces
5. Inner Product Spaces
6. Linear Transformations
7. Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
8. Complex Vector Spaces

The book has something extra special - every chapter has a section that shows how the material just presented figures into the solution of an actual problem. The following is the list of applications for each chapter:
1. Applications of Systems of Linear Equations
a. Polynomial Curve Fitting
b. Network Analysis
2. Applications of Matrix Operations
a. Stochastic Matrices
b. Crypotography
c. Leontief Input-Output Models
d. Least Squares Regression Analysis
3. Applications of Determinants
a. The adjoint of a matrix
b. Cramer's Rule
c. Area, Volume, and Equations of lines and planes
4. Applications of Vector spaces
a. Linear Differential Equations
b. Conic sections and rotation
5. Applications of inner product spaces
a. The cross product of two vectors in space
b. Least squares approximations
c. Fourier approximations
6. Applications of Linear Transformations
a. Geometry of linear transformations in the plane.
b. Computer graphics
7. Applications of eigenvectors and eigenvalues
a. Population growth
b. Systems of differential equations
c. Quadratic equations

Each of the first seven chapters also has two projects each which range from the very simple to the involved.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars best book on the subject i've seen, November 11, 2008

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Linda Key (athens, GA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Elementary Linear Algebra (Hardcover)

i was a math major at University of Georgia (i have graduated since then) and took intro to linear algebra several times. (okay it's not THAT funny.) it was a different teacher and a different book every time. which made it very easy for me to compare. this book was so much more organized and explained things so much better so that not only did i pass the class, i actually made an A. strongly recommended for all that is interested in the subject, or taking this class but having difficulties. this book will help you understand.

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent, October 1, 2011

By 

isa - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Elementary Linear Algebra (Hardcover)

It arrived sooner than I expected! Thank you so much I was able to start my homework right away no tears..and most importantly it had the CD.