Linear Algebra (4th Edition) [Paperback]

Stephen H. Friedberg (Author), Arnold J. Insel (Author), Lawrence E. Spence (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0130084514 | ISBN-13: 978-0130084514 | Publication Date: November 21, 2002 | Edition: 4

This top-selling, theorem-proof book presents a careful treatment of the principle topics of linear algebra, and illustrates the power of the subject through a variety of applications. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between linear transformations and matrices, but states theorems in the more general infinite-dimensional case where appropriate. Chapter topics cover vector spaces, linear transformations and matrices, elementary matrix operations and systems of linear equations, determinants, diagonalization, inner product spaces, and canonical forms. For statisticians and engineers.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

An accessible, applications-oriented presentation of the theory of linear algebra. This is the top selling theorem-proof text in the market. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From the Back Cover

This top-selling, theorem-proof book presents a careful treatment of the principle topics of linear algebra, and illustrates the power of the subject through a variety of applications. It emphasizes the symbiotic relationship between linear transformations and matrices, but states theorems in the more general infinite-dimensional case where appropriate. Chapter topics cover vector spaces, linear transformations and matrices, elementary matrix operations and systems of linear equations, determinants, diagonalization, inner product spaces, and canonical forms. For statisticians and engineers.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 601 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 4 edition (November 21, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130084514
• ISBN-13: 978-0130084514
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A terrific book on linear algebra, October 3, 2002

By 

"karnas84" (Wexford, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Algebra (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

LINEAR ALGEBRA, Third Edition, is one of the better books on linear algebra. The material is presented in an abstract and mathematically rigorous fashion. The focus of the book is on the ideas and proofs behind the linear algebra -- its treatment of applications to physics and computer science is almost nonexistent. Topics covered include vector spaces, linear transformations, systems of linear equations, determinants, inner product spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, and canonical forms.

For the aspiring engineering or computer science student, this book is not for you. Basic matrix theory is enough for those fields, and this book is littered with rigorous proofs. There are many other textbooks that present linear algebra from more of an engineering or computer science perspective. As an alternative I recommend that you take a look at "Matrix Analysis and Applied Linear Algebra" by C.D. Meyer.

The style of this book is written in the traditional theorem-proof-example style and is thus geared more towards aspiring mathematicians, especially those who enjoy theory and pure mathematics. Many of the examples demonstrate less than obvious inferences and can be very useful, but of course the meat of the book lies in the comprehensive build-up of linear algebra theory from a mathematically sophisticated point of view.

In summary, a highly recommended purchase for mathematicians. Computer scientists and engineers should look elsewhere though.

28 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars awesome...i'd give 10 stars, January 15, 2000

By 

Ted Shane (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Algebra (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

This book combines a very rigorous treatment (with a flavoring of abstract algebra) and interesting applications. The presentation is very clear and straightforward. You get theorems, a proof of each one, and curious exercises. Some exercises also challenge you to develop and prove results about some side topics. As you go through the chapters and learn more, you prove further results. Also, this book is the first which presented Jordan forms lucidly and thoroughly. Other texts shove it into the appendix, which is a mistake, since this topic is important.

Finally, the applications are plenty. Standard ones like Markov chains, plus a few fascinating applications, like an entire section devoted to the development of the basics of Special Relativity.

This should be the standard text on linear algebra, instead of that drivel by Strang.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful presentation !, March 24, 2000

By 

Nishant - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Algebra (3rd Edition) (Hardcover)

This book has a lucid treatment of the matrix theory and linear trnasformations of differential equations. although the applications are extended upto Hamiltonians, Markov chains and relativity to name a few. All in all an excellent book which prepares the reader for more specific topics according to reader's taste. Worth reading is the 6th chapter for advanced students intending to major in physics or maths. Definitely worth having one in your shelf. Clear presentation and ample examples will encourage your appetite for matrix theory etc.