Lectures on linear algebra (Unknown Binding)

by I. M Gelfand (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Prominent Russian mathematician’s concise, well-written exposition considers: n-dimensional spaces, linear and bilinear forms, linear transformations, canonical form of an arbitrary linear transformation, introduction to tensors, more. Not designed as an introductory text. 1961 ed.
--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Language Notes
Text: English, Russian (translation)

Product Details

• Unknown Binding: 185 pages
• Publisher: R. E. Krieger Pub. Co (1978)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0882755943
• ISBN-13: 978-0882755946
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,881,694 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good as a reference not for learning, February 27, 2003

By	Alexander Vorobiev "A witty saying proves not... - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lectures on Linear Algebra (Paperback)

This is a good book if all you need is a condenced reference on theorems and proofs and it assumes that you go for practice (and instruction) elsewhere. If you are trying to actually learn linear algebra (especially on your own and especially if you want to learn how to solve practical problems) get one of Gilbert Strang's books and watch his videolectures at MIT web site. Another thing that I dislike about the Gelfand's book is that it puts too much emphasis on index notation - instead of matrix notation wich is natural for linear algebra, almost all formulas and theorems are presented at very low level using expressions consisting of variables with multiple indices. Naturally it gets very messy and hard to follow at times. This doesn't present any more information than equivalent matrix notation but introduces unnecceccary complexity and makes things that are really easy to understand very confusing.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and Compact book, December 10, 2005

By	Alexander C. Zorach "Alex Zorach" (Lancaster, PA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lectures on Linear Algebra (Paperback)

The professor who recommended this book made the comment that every time you re-read it, you notice something else that you missed the last time you read it. This is absolutely true.

I must say, the first time I picked up this book, I did not like it. The notation was not what I was used to, and the book dives right in, assuming a lot of background (matrices, determinants, etc.) but covering material which many people find boring (bases, etc.). However, when you read deeper, there's a lot here. Once you get past the ugly notation, the proofs are extraordinarily clear. And in spite of the books small size, there is a remarkable amount of motivation and discussion.

Like the other reviewer said, this is not a book to learn linear algebra from for the first time: this is an advanced book that is useful for graduate students who have already had a linear algebra course and who want to learn more topics, or understand topics on a deeper level.

This is an excellent book; the bottom line is that it's so cheap that there's no excuse NOT to buy it.

12 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on linear algebra I have seen, December 30, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Lectures on Linear Algebra (Paperback)

This is the best treatment of linear algebra that has been published. It starts with n-Dimenaional linear spaces and ends with an introduction to tensors. An excellent description of dual spaces is consicely presented. NO INDEX!