Linear Algebra For Dummies

Linear Algebra For Dummies
by Mary Jane Sterling

Linear Algebra For Dummies
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Book Summary Information

Author: Mary Jane Sterling
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2009-07-07
ISBN: 0470430907
Number of pages: 384
Publisher: For Dummies

Book Reviews of Linear Algebra For Dummies

Book Review: be smarter than the book!
Summary: 4 Stars

I really like the approach of this book, as it uses good analogies, examples, graphs, and figures that appeal to your intuition to give deeper meaning to the subtleties of linear algebra. But it is a shame there are typos and mistakes. One in particular blew my mind - on p. 51 she states " A square matrix is singular if it has a multiplicative inverse; a matrix is non-singular if it does not have a multiplicative inverse." This is exactly opposite of how everyone else defines "singular", but she uses this definition consistently throughout the book, so either it's a mistake or she has decided to rewrite the rules of linear algebra. Either way, it's not helpful!!!

I hate having to make corrections on a book I just paid for, but for the price, what can you expect? Most textbooks on the subject are between two and ten times more expensive, and they have mistakes too. But the other books are dense, dry, and boring. At least this book attempts to make linear algebra interesting, if not fun.

Summary of Linear Algebra For Dummies

Your hands-on guide to real-world applications of linear algebra

Does linear algebra leave you feeling lost? No worries ?this easy-to-follow guide explains the how and the why of solving linear algebra problems in plain English. From matrices to vector spaces to linear transformations, you'll understand the key concepts and see how they relate to everything from genetics to nutrition to spotted owl extinction.

  • Line up the basics ? discover several different approaches to organizing numbers and equations, and solve systems of equations algebraically or with matrices
  • Relate vectors and linear transformations ? link vectors and matrices with linear combinations and seek solutions of homogeneous systems

  • Evaluate determinants ? see how to perform the determinant function on different sizes of matrices and take advantage of Cramer's rule

  • Hone your skills with vector spaces ? determine the properties of vector spaces and their subspaces and see linear transformation in action

  • Tackle eigenvalues and eigenvectors ? define and solve for eigenvalues and eigenvectors and understand how they interact with specific matrices

Open the book and find:

  • Theoretical and practical ways of solving linear algebra problems
  • Definitions of terms throughout and in the glossary

  • New ways of looking at operations

  • How linear algebra ties together vectors, matrices, determinants, and linear transformations

  • Ten common mathematical representations of Greek letters

  • Real-world applications of matrices and determinants

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