Linear Algebra With Applications [Hardcover]

Steven J. Leon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0138493081 | ISBN-13: 978-0138493080 | Publication Date: October 13, 1997 | Edition: 5 Sub

Renowned for its thoroughness and accessibility, this best-selling text by one of the leading figures in linear algebra reform offers students a challenging yet enjoyable study of linear algebra that is infused with an abundance of applications. Balancing coverage of mathematical theory and applied topics, it takes extra care in explaining concepts clearly so that students at a variety of levels can read and understand the material. Numerous worked examples are integrated throughout the text. This revision stresses the important roles played by geometry and visualization in linear algebra. ATLAST Computer Exercises for Linear Algebra a project manual using MATLAB--may be packaged free with the text.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Renowned for its thoroughness, clarity, and accessibility, this best-selling book by one of today's leading figures in linear algebra reform offers users a challenging yet enjoyable treatment of linear algebra that is infused with an abundance of applications and worked examples. Balancing coverage of mathematical theory and applied topics, the book stresses the important role geometry and visualization play in understanding the subject, and now comes with the new ancillary ATLAS computer exercise guide.Provides modern and comprehensive coverage of the subject, spanning all topics in the core syllabus recommended by the NSF sponsored Linear Algebra Curriculum Study Group. Offers new applications in astronomy and statistics, emphasizes the use of geometry to visualize linear algebra and aid in understanding all of the major topics, and previews some of the more difficult vector space concepts early on. MATLAB computing exercises provide users with experience performing matrix computations.For mathematicians.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 491 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 5 Sub edition (October 13, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0138493081
• ISBN-13: 978-0138493080
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,402,927 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Flawed, but conceptually complete., August 11, 2001

By 

"quantumsean" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Algebra With Applications (Hardcover)

I used this Linear Algebra text in an undergraduate Linear Algebra course. Before I get to the problems of the text (and there are numerous) let me just say that it is conceptually complete, in that every topic in linear algebra is given very close attention. (Eigenvectors/Eignenvalues were given a very elegant treatment, as an example) All the concepts are well organized and also some applications are thrown in to the mix.

With the above statement, it seems that this book has everything going for it to be a fantastic linear algebra book. Unfortunately, it hits some pitfalls. Although its conceptually complete, it is very dense. ( a common math textbook pitfall) Places where explanations could have been expanded quite a bit are not. Being a very dense math textbook leads to the next problem. Leon's notation is unneccasarily formal for an introductory linear algebra text. It is quite fustrating getting used to notation before you get to the key concepts. (His notation is not often explained well enough.) Although I got passed the overlyformal notation and got to the meaty concepts, I can completely sympathize with others who get stuck on it and have absolutely *NO* clue what the author is trying to say. Let's face it, not everyone taking Linear Algebra is a math major (I for one am a physics major and there were quite a few engineering majors in my class.)

Another pitfall of this book is the absolute decrepid writing style. Do not laugh when [someone] states that this book is boring and well "Just not fun..." because that statement is the truth! The writing style has a very sleep-inducing tone, which is a shame because linear algebra is a very important topic and an interesting one. (With far reaching applications.) It is very difficult to describe... get through the book without much trouble and you will see what we mean. The only concrete example I could think of is the mind-numbingly dry explanation of vector spaces in the third chapter.

In closing, this book does not need much to become a great linear algebra book. All the concepts are there, so the hard part is done. Hopefully Leon in the 6th edition will clean up the notation a bit and add some life into the explanations and writing style, this book could be an undergraduate linear algebra standard.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Proofs: Simple, but not rigorous, April 21, 2001

By 

Erwin Lau "hikerclimber" (Berkeley, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linear Algebra With Applications (Hardcover)

Background: Electrical engineering grad student. Lots of math. Prior linear algebra course.

Reason to read book: Wanted a text to review proofs of many of the important theorems that are used in the matrix formulation of quantum mechanics. Stuff like why Hermitian matrices provide orthogonal eigenvectors and real eigenvalues. Also, wanted a review of vector spaces, basis sets, etc. That means pretty much most of the book.

How much of the book I've studied: Most of the proofs in the entire book. Some of the worked problems. None of the exercises.

Analysis: The book provides a comprehensive list of the useful proofs. However, the proofs are simple but not rigorous. They give you good insight on why the theorems are what they are, but they don't remove all doubt as to their validity.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Total and Complete Disappointment, July 29, 1999

By 

Henry W. George (Hilo, Hawaii) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linear Algebra With Applications (Hardcover)

The preface clearly states that this book can be used by beginning students "with little trouble reading and understanding the material". This is both patent nonsense and a clear indication that the author long ago forgot that the beginning student is indeed just a beginner. From this particular beginner's viewpoint, the one star rating is one star too many. I'm a junior majoring in math and computer science with above average grades and only mention it as a prelude to my opinion that, at the sophomore undergraduate level, which this text purports to accomodate, the material, as presented, borders on incomprehensible. Time after time I read, re-read and re-re-read sections of text and was unable to glean the slightest bit of information from the extremely advanced presentations by the author. Explanations are often incomplete from the "beginner's" viewpoint and are made with the use of a very complex notation. After these laborious exercises, and with the help of my instructor's lectures, I would finally come to understand the material and wonder why it needed to be presented in such a ridiculously complicated manner. The very last straw was when I reviewed the text for exams and found errors. Mr. Leon seems to have the ability to take a difficult yet manageable subject and make it read like a foreign language. I discussed this with several members of my class who also admitted to being totally befuddled by way the material was presented. Even my instructor at one point claimed to have a difficult time with certain sections and had to write a different version so that it could be understood. I'm sure that this book must have some redeeming value for more advanced mathematical study, but it is definitely not what it is represented to be; a text to accomodate a beginners' class in Linear Algebra. I'm happy to say I did well in the course, but it was in spite of this textbook and certainly not because of it. Also, not nearly as important, but perhaps pertinent to those thinking of investing $69, the book literally fell apart after 4 months of reasonably careful use. It is poorly constructed of cheap materials and even the ink smears when you touch it. What a disappointment!