Customer Reviews

Schaum's Outline of Linear Algebra Fourth Edition (Schaum's Outline Series)

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

 

 

I am using this book as a review to supplement more advanced texts. I find it useful; for one thing, definitions are elaborated on; eg, consider the definition of linear dependence and independence: what if one of the vectors is 0? After all, the zero vector is still a vector. What if one of the vectors is a multiple of some other vector? What if the vectors in the basis are rearranged, etc? These are supposed to be elementary but we often need to be refreshed. Also, we may hastily read a definition and miss subtle points. This book points out some of the subtleties and helps clarify some of the theory even for math graduates.

I found this book to be very helpful.
Pros: Excellent as a supplement or even as a text. Lots of worked out problems, some are even proofs of theorms. The explanations are to the point and easy to understand. Good for math, physics or engineering undergrad majors. There is enough material for 1.5 undergrad semesters of Linear Algebra. Very appropriate for math GRE subject test review.
Cons: none
This book does not have the abstract algebra style, so not for math graduate school.

First of all, this book helped me get 97% in my linear algebra test!

Heaps of practice problems, good explanations, but quite a few errors (minor).

Get it if you're struggling with linear algebra.

This book's appeal is that it outlines Linear Algebra using a series of solved problems. However, when you actually sit down and do them, you find that many of them are just flat out wrong. It is quite frustrating when it asks you to prove something is linearly independent only to find out after 20 min of confusion that the vectors they gave you are actually dependent and you weren't wrong in the first place. Even their fully solved and explained problems have errors that could really confuse someone who was learning this topic for the first time.

It's a good study tool when used as a supplement to a class or another textbook. The problems are chosen well, the only problem is the book is riddled with errors. Fortunately, they adequately explain their solutions enough that you can go back and verify that they are the ones making the error. Overall I recommend it for the price.

Looking at my bookshelf, I count 8 books on linear algebra (14 if you include the mathematical methods books). With that in mind, I believe I have sampled enough books on linear algebra to say, without bias, that this is a very good book on linear algebra. It is clear, to the point, and covers a broad range of topics. The solved problems support the material being addressed. The "home work" problems are educational as well (plus you have the answers). If the structure of a Shaum's outline works for you, then you will probably enjoy this book as much as I did.

I cannot tolerate books that beat round the bush or dumb things down. I value rigor and directness. That's why I love Schaums outline series. I used this book before taking classes in Econometrics, and learnt a lot in very little time, thanks to the direct style of this book. Thanks a lot, Schaums series.

I never needed this for my courses, and when I looked back on the content in the book, it seems realy limited and uses completely different terms than the standard Linear Algebra textbooks use. Don't use this for your own studying, because you will be lost and confused as to what on earth the book is talking about. Don't even use it for review.

This book has great explanations and practice questions, very comprehensive. But there are errors in the book: I haven't finish 1 chapter yet already spotted 3-4 errors. Some are obvious and easy to notice but some errors are in important definitions.(eg. Page 38 definition of unitary matrix should be Ah*A=I, not A-1, I get stuck later in a practice question to realize this.) Still recommend this book but be aware of the problem.

This book is a very good supplement to most linear algebra courses. Whenever textbook examples are in short supply, Schaums is the place to go. Also good for those questions you just can't figure out, sometimes you can get lucky and find similar problems. Very extensive, covers the basics and much more.