Customer Reviews

Linear Algebra (Cliffs Quick Review)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is an excellent introduction or review of linear algebra. It presents the most important aspects of basic linear algebra quickly, concisely, and accurately. It begins with concepts from vector and matrix algebra and continues through 318 pages to end with Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors. It presents a concept, e.g., linear independence, and then provides at least one example illustrating the concept. After a short discussion of each new concept, a fully-worked example is provided. Pages frequently appear with multiple examples.

There are no exercises with answers for the student to check their comprehension. You can instead use the examples as exercises, which works quite well since the examples are fully worked out. However, you must bring your own motivation to this Quick Review. Although the work is over 300 pages it presents "just the facts" and spends essentially no time building motivation or interest. Highly recommended, but only for the self-motivated reader.

This is a nice introduction to vector and matrix algebra. It also introduces projection, linear transformation,and eigenvalues and eigenvectors. This would not be great text for someone taking a linear algrebra course as it does not have additional excercises with solutions. It would make a nice addition to the text if Wiley republishes. I would also suggest that a chapter on complex vectors be added. If you need a quick introduction to the concepts of linear algebra this is a affordable book and the level of difficulty not unreasonable for most self learners.

It won't help you pass a college Linear Algebra course.
At least it didn't help me.
Problem is that it's just too small to really go into any depth so all it's good for is if you need help memorizing the formulas for the determinant, eigenvalue,etc.
If you don't understand the concepts behind all the formulas this book won't help at all!
Then again I guess that's all it aims to do.
Also some of the notation may vary from what you see in other linear algebra books.

this book is an excellent addition to or replacement for your college text. i was even able to stop attending class. thanks!