Customer Reviews

Matrix Algebra Useful for Statistics (Wiley Series in Probability and Statistics)

5 star:		(4)
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This is an excellent introductory book, although mostly oriented to people with a reasonably good mathematical background. Searle covers most, if not all, the matrix algebra that you may need to fully understand applications of mixed linear models. Chapters one to eight cover the essential operations (addition, multiplication, determinants, etc) as well as more advanced concepts (rank, canonical forms, inverse, etc). The rest of the book (chapters nine to fifteen) covers applications to statistics as well as advanced topics that can help you to understand how do some of the statistical packages work inside. The only mathematics book that I have read from cover to cover. Definitively a classic.

This book covers a lot of materials that will contribute to a solid understanding of matrix algebra. I would, by all means, recommend this book, but would still like to point out some weaknesses:

1. Unattractive page layout. Page after page of dull looks. Need more visuals; I don't mean colorful graphics but black-and-white diagrams and geometric interpretations.

2. From time to time, I felt like the author would give examples only on easy-to-understand topics, but avoid giving examples on difficult-to-understand ones. That didn't make sense to me.

3. Proofs should be more clearly presented. It seems like the author is always in a hurry to just get the job done. I guess it was designed for uninterested readers to simply skip the proofs without making them feel they have skipped over a lot of materials. However, for an interested reader like me, who isn't particularly strong in proofs, it was a disfavor.

4. Illustration topics could be more diverse. For instance, there are too many illustrations dealing with genetics. I would appreciate more everyday examples, like the taxi one.

Again, I would strongly recommend this book, despite what I think are its weaknesses.

Being a student of Health Economics, Statistics and Mathematical Epidemiology modeling, i have fumbled enough to understand matrix algebra.
But its until i got this book; "Matrix Algebra Useful for Statistics" is when i stopped buying more books.
Simply said, THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER WRITTEN to help you form a foundational understanding of Matrix Algebra that will make you understand ANY OTHER BOOK on matrix algebra. period

I'm methodically working through ALL the example problems in this textbook with the goal of firming up my understanding of matrix algebra and -ultimately- statistics. Currently on chapter 3 but I've been impressed thus far with the clarity of explanations and organization of the material. As a statistician myself, I'm certain this will be a valuable reference and resource for me in my work.