Product Description

This book covers the basic theory of matrices and vector spaces. The book's three main parts cover (I) matrices, vector spaces, bases, and dimension; (II) inner products, bilinear and sesquilinear forms over vector spaces; (III) linear transformations, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, diagonalization, and Jordan normal form. An introduction to fields and polynomials over fields is also provided, and examples and applications are provided throughout. The approach throughout is rigorous, but without being unnecessarily abstract. In particular, this book would be suitable reading for a student with no prior exposure to abstract algebra. Although intended as a 'second course', the book is completely self-contained and all the material usually given in a 'first course' in presented fully in Part I, so the book provides a useful guide to the entire theory of vector spaces as usually studied in an undergraduate degree. Abstract methods are illustrated with concrete examples throughout, and more detailed examples highlight applications of linear algebra to analysis, geometry, differential equations, relativity and quantum mechanics. As such, the book provides a valuable introduction to a wide variety of mathematical methods.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #403525 in Books
• Published on: 1998-01-29
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 248 pages

Customer Reviews

A pretty good all-round text.
Like most of the OUP mathematics texts, this book is clear and easy to follow. It is very useful for a second year undergraduate algebra course.

satisfying workbook
General

The book is a thin, moderately priced book, but has a satisfying level of content & explanation of semi -introductory undergraduate 'Linear Algebra'.

How does it help students to grasp this topic?

'Linear Algebra' as a topic has a reputation of being hard-work for introductory undergrad. students, but this book excels in zipping together topics that seem isolated, and eventually come together. The explanations (i. m. h. o) can be made bit harder to fathom when the subscripts fonts size for 'i' are indistinguishable from '1'. This is just a minor problem, but when this is solved the book is a great book and i have enjoyed the time spent studying this area.

In essence

When i consider the cost of this book and the content quality, this is a fine book of the few needed to crack 'Linear Algebra' topics on the way to Galois Theory.