Linear Algebra for Lie Groups

malawi_glenn

Hi

I want to study Lie Groups which are applicable to modern physics, such as U(N), SU(N) etc.

But my problem might be that I lack much of required theory of Matrices, for example these statements are "magic" to me:

In N dimensions there are N^2 independent hermitian matricies

In N dimensions there are N^2 - 1 independent traceless hermitian matricies

+ more

I have been taught Linear Algebra from textbook:
"Elementary Linear Algebra" - Anton

(http://www.amazon.com/Elementary-Lin...1405906&sr=8-2 )

Which ends with 5pages on complex matrices, which is not that much ;-)

So I am looking for textbook (or other resources) which covers more advanced material on complex valued matrices, suitable for background to study Lie Groups.

Thanx!