Linear Algebra (Math 290A, Spring 2010)

Course Information

• Textbook: A First Course in Linear Algebra
    An open-source (free) textbook in introductory linear algebra. GFDL license.


• Syllabus [PDF]
• Syllabus [HTML]


• Writing Exercises (PDF)

Books on Proofs

The books below are in the spirit of the recommended text "Nuts and Bolts of Proof." If you find that book helpful, you might consider ordering one or more of these from someplace like Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble (these texts are listed in order of my familiarity with them, which may not be the same order I would recommend them in).

• Thinking Mathematically, Mason/Burton/Stacey
• How to Read and Do Proofs, Solow
• How to Prove It: A Structured Approach, Velleman
• Mathematical Thinking: Problem-Solving and Proofs, West/D'Angelo
• Proofs and Fundamentals: A First Course in Abstract Mathematics, Bloch

Calculators and Software

• SAGE - open-source (free) mathematical software built on Python.
• Octave - open-source (free) numerical software, mostly compatible with Matlab.
• Mathematica - commerical product for numerical and symbolic mathematics. [Student Pricing]
• Matlab - commercial product for technical computing. [Student Version]
• Texas Instrument TI-86 Guidebook (Chapter 13 discusses Matrices)

Beginner's Resources for SAGE

• SAGE for Newbies
• SAGE Tutorial

Beginner's Resources for Mathematica

• Book: A Beginner's Guide To Mathematica, McMahon/Topa
• Book: The Beginner's Guide to Mathematica, Version 3, Glynn/Gray
• Web: A Brief Introduction to Mathematica
• Web: Mini Mathematica Tutorial
• Web: Introduction to Mathematica

Links

• Math Forum Linear Algebra Pages
• A 2-D Eigenvalue Demonstration
• Echelon Form
• Oliver Knill's Linear Algebra Handouts
• Another open-content linear algebra textbook, Linear Algebra by Jim Hefferon.

Old Quizzes

These quizzes are offered with no guarantees. Notation, techniques, and emphases will vary (sometimes radically) from semester to semester. Use at your own risk.

Spring 2008 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Fall 2007 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Spring 2007 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Fall 2006 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Fall 2005 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Spring 2005 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Fall 2004 (with solutions):
[Quiz SLE]  [Quiz V]  [Quiz M]  [Quiz VS]  [Quiz D&E]  [Quiz LT]  [Quiz R]

Fall 2003:
[Quiz 1]  [Quiz 2]  [Quiz 3]  [Quiz 4]  [Quiz 5]  [Quiz 6]

This is: http://buzzard.ups.edu/courses/2010spring/m290s2010.html
Maintained by: Rob Beezer
Last updated: January 5, 2010