An Introduction to Matrices, Sets, and Groups for Science Students [Paperback]

G. Stephenson (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 164 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (April 1986)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486650774
• ISBN-13: 978-0486650777
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,126,440 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thorough, Well-Written Introduction to Matrices, May 27, 2000

By 

Michael Wischmeyer (Houston, Texas) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Matrices, Sets, and Groups for Science Students (Paperback)

I highly recommend this Dover text as either a self-tutorial or as a quick review of matrices. I initially thought that a text for the "non-mathematics science student" might prove too elementary to be useful. It actually provides a thorough, concise (but not terse) introduction to matrices that is quite appropriate for undergraduate students in physics or chemistry. The sections on eigenvalues and eigenvectors, on diagonalization of matrices, and on functions of matrices were particularly good.

I am reasonably familiar with linear algebra and matrices and read this book partially for review, but more out of general interest. I was surprised at how effectively Stephenson managed in only 150 pages to explore key topics at some depth without sacrificing his tutorial style. I am puzzled that that this book is not better known. It is quite well-written and I give it five stars. The price is quite affordable and I don't believe that you will find a better overview of matrices at even much higher prices.

Don't be concerned that this is not a new book (first published in 1965). The matrix notation is modern and consistent with current textbooks. The author, G. Stephenson, was Emeritus Reader of Mathematics, Imperial College of Science and Technology, University of London.

I also recommend two other Dover reprints. Matrices and Transformations by Anthony Pettofrezzo is a more basic introduction. An Introduction to Linear Algebra and Tensors by M. A. Akivis and V. V. Goldberg is a good next step after Stephenson's text.

5.0 out of 5 stars simple, short and fine book, August 26, 2009

By 

Francisco R. Conde - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: An Introduction to Matrices, Sets, and Groups for Science Students (Paperback)

I like the stile and didatic of Prof. Stephenson and this little book does a good job to teach mainly matrices (the chapters on sets and groups are very shorts, however they are helpfuls). Its level is introdutory (but not properly elementary),the stuff is very well explained and the exercises are coherent with the text (they are essencial parts to learn and fix the matter).
It lacks some things like to invert matrices by the method of elementary matrices and the Jordan canonical matrices. Out that, it's almost a complete introduction.
Because it is terse and have various topics of constante use, it is also useful as a quick reference book.
I agree with the previous reviever that is best to study first some other more elementary text to a full benefit.
Although a bit outdated, I recomend also the other books of Prof. Stephenson if there is interest in theirs contents: Mathematical Methods for Science Students, Partial Differential Equations for Scientists and Engineers, Advanced Methods for Engineering and Science Students.