Customer Reviews

Elementary Linear Algebra

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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.

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.

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.