Customer Reviews

Linear Algebra, Geodesy, and Gps

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This is an interesting, gently accelerating and useful book on geodesy and GPS that concentrates on space geodetic concepts and algorithms and on the underlying linear algebra. It uses MATLAB, the language of choice for many numerical linear algebraists, to provide sample codes. Many of these codes are of practical utility. This book combines Strang's applied math focus and inimitable writing style (I love it) with Borre's extensive knowledge of physical and geometrical geodesy. Highly recommended!

I am an engineer with an interest in math.

What strikes me about Gilbert Strang's writing on math is the running commentary he provides on what the math means. When introducing the concept of a vector, for example, he points out that vectors a result of the insight that "you can't add apples to oranges."

He is very strong on visualizing what is going in his proofs and spends many pages pointing out interpretative details that are simple to explain to a reader but hard for a reader to figure out on their own. Those details are rarely found in other math books. I think part of the problem is that most math books are written for people who have a natural talent for math and few are written for technically oriented people that are interested but not especially talented.

It is a shame that his style of writing is not more commonly found in math books.

... so don't be so quick to hand a ridiculous sum of money over to scalpers. The title of the book is "Algorithms for Global Positioning" and it already has an ISBN number: 978-0-0982327-2-8. It is by the same two authors as the original and will be available shortly. Wait for that book and then you can hand your money over to the actual authors of the book, not opportunists.