Customer Reviews

Linear Algebra and Differential Equations Using MATLAB

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I had to buy this book for class, but held off judgement until I had finished, however now I must agree with everyone else. There are no examples for most of the problems and as you go further in the book the authors solve more and more things exclusively with MatLab so that you have no idea how to do it alone. And since I plan to solve a lot of linear algebras problems whilst stuck on a desert island, it was very frustrating. It definately helps to have an alternate source of information when using this text in your course.

I used the text in a Calculus 3 course for intro to DiffEq and LinAlg. While taking the class and using this text, I ended up more confused than I started. Being new to the material, the text uses to much mathematical notation for someone not acustomed to theory or different mathematical notation. In addition, the text does not provide enough examples to help digest the material. On the plus side, the book does do a good job of incorporating basic MATLAB skills, but lacks in giving any direction on how to use MATLAB. I noticed in someone else's review they suggested Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra book...I would also; the book is much more clear on the linear algebra side and is very easy to understand and interpret. For the differential equation side, I would highly recommend Boyce/DiPrima.

This book is generally poorly written and fails to serve as a decent introduction to Linear Algebra or Differential Equations. It lacks adequate explanations for most topics, has almost no useful examples (usually due to skipping non-obvious steps, but sometimes the examples aren't there at all), generally doesn't explain how to do any of the exercises apart from the extremely obvious plug and chug ones, and smacks of poor writing and organizational skills on the part of the authors. Avoid this book if you can. And offer up a little prayer for those of us that have it as a required text.

This book is not good at explaining linear algebra or differential equations. Gilbert Strang has a much better book and many math books that are specific to areas of applied math typically explain both concepts. Be prepared to use some reference books if your prof. requires this text.

I took a course in Differential Equations using Linear Algebra at the University of Houston in Spring of 2000. The author of this book is a professor at U of H. In short: the content is adequate in proving key mathematical ideas, but the layout is terrible and very few examples exist to confirm one's understanding of the theory - most other students in my class had a similar opinon about the book. Most second year math students would not be able to solve diff. equations after reading this book.

I ended up with a very good grade in this class due to researching other books, using Matlab software and gaining assistance from the Professor and the Teaching Assistant.

Diff. Eq. is a fascinating and important subject matter; but not from the perspective of this book.

The Author needs to rewrite the book and bring the subject matter to life with applications, more graphics and a clearer presentation of the theory.

Until the rewrite, keep searching the amazon databases...

this book is confusing, the chapters are not well explained.
I don't advise to buy this book to study linear algebra or differential equations. The matlab examples are not self explanatory. It lacks of good examples and does not follow an order easy to follow for the reader.
I give it the 2 stars because it was very cheap. it worths what it costed (2 dollars)

The item I ordered came quickly. I am satisfied. I don't think there is anything else that the vendor could have done to make me happy.

I had this book for linear algebra and differential equations, and by midpoint in my linear algebra class I stopped using it except for copying down the homework questions. The text is really hard to follow, especially with the layout. All I depended on were my teacher's practice exams and a stupid Schaum's guide and I got an A in the class. This book needs a serious rewrite, with clearly worked out problems and explanations.

DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK

this was the textbook for my first course in linear algebra and differential equations. i think there were about 350 students in the class and, i say about 90% students i talked to agreed: this book sucks. period. lack of solved problems. no practice questions. unhelpful.

i don't mean soso-bad, i mean really really bad

you can get much superior books for the this price

This is a terrific book. The ideal precursor to anyone interested in reading Hirsch-Smale .