Linear Algebra Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction by David Poole

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David Poole's "Linear Algebra: A Modern Introduction" is a well-regarded textbook that provides a solid foundation in linear algebra concepts. It covers essential topics such as vectors, systems of linear equations, matrices, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, orthogonality, vector spaces, and distance and approximation. The book is noted for its clear explanations and a balanced mix of computational problems and proofs, making it accessible without being overwhelming. While it emphasizes computational aspects, it serves as a strong introductory resource, with suggestions for further study in more advanced texts like Axler, Friedburg, or Hoffman for those already familiar with the subject. The textbook also includes appendices on mathematical notation, methods of proof, and complex numbers, enhancing its utility for learners.

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Table of Contents:
Code:
[LIST]
[*] Vectors
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: The Racetrack Game
[*] The Geometry and Algebra of Vectors
[*] Length and Angle: The Dot Product
[*] Lines and Planes
[*] Code Vectors and Modular Arithmetic
[/LIST]
[*] Systems of Linear Equations
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: Triviality
[*] Introduction to Systems of Linear Equations
[*] Direct Methods for Solving Linear Systems
[*] Spanning Sets and Linear Independence
[*] Applications
[LIST]
[*] Allocation of Resources
[*] Balancing Chemical Equations
[*] Network Analysis
[*] Electrical Networks
[*] Finite Linear Games
[/LIST]
[*] Iterative Methods for Solving Linear Systems
[/LIST]
[*] Matrices
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: Matrices in Action
[*] Matrix Operations
[*] Matrix Algebra
[*] The Inverse of a Matrix
[*] The LU Factorization
[*] Subspaces, Basis, Dimension, and Rank
[*] Introduction to Linear Transformations
[*] Applications
[LIST]
[*] Markov Chains
[*] Population Growth
[*] Graphs and Digraphs
[*] Error-Correcting Codes
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
[*] Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: A Dynamical System on Graphs
[*] Introduction to Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors
[*] Determinants
[*] Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors of [itex]n\times n[/itex] Matrices
[*] Similarity and Diagonalization
[*] Iterative Methods for Computing Eigenvalues
[*] Applications and the Perron-Frobenius Theorem
[LIST]
[*] Markov Chains
[*] Population Growth
[*] The Perron-Frobenius Theorem
[*] Linear Recurrence Relations
[*] Systems of Linear Differential Equations
[*] Discrete Linear Dynamical Systems
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
[*] Orthogonality
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: Shadows on a Wall
[*] Orthogonality in [itex]\mathbb{R}^n[/itex]
[*] Orthogonal Complements and Orthogonal Projections
[*] The Gram-Schmidt Process and the QR Factorization
[*] Orthogonal Diagonalization of Symmetric Matrices
[*] Applications
[LIST]
[*] Dual Cods
[*] Quadratic Forms
[*] Graphic Quadratic Equations
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
[*] Vector Spaces
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: Fibonacci in (Vector) Space
[*] Vector Spaces and Subspaces
[*] Linear Independence, Basis and Dimension
[*] Change of Basis
[*] Linear Transformations
[*] The Kernel and Range of a Linear Transformation
[*] The Matrix of a Linear Transformation
[*] Applications
[LIST]
[*] Homogeneous Linear Differential Equations
[*] Linear Codes
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
[*] Distance and Approximation
[LIST]
[*] Introduction: Taxicab Geometry
[*] Inner Product Spaces
[*] Norms and Distance Functions
[*] Least Square Approximation
[*] The Singular Value Decomposition
[*] Applications
[LIST]
[*] Approximation of Functions
[*] Error-Correcting Codes
[/LIST]
[/LIST]
[*] Appendix: Mathematical Notation and Methods of Proof
[*] Appendix: Mathematical Induction
[*] Appendix: Complex Numbers
[*] Appendix: Polynomials
[*] Answers to Selected Odd-Numbered Exercises
[*] Index
[/LIST]
 
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It's a very nice textbook. Offers a good introduction with linear algebra. It is rigorous but just enough where it is not overwhelming. It explains the concepts very clearly and the problems range from easy to intermediate level questions. It gives a good mix of computational problems and proofs. Maybe more so on the computational side but that is expected since it is only an introduction. For those who are familiar with linear algebra going on with Axlers, Friedburg, or Hoffman(i like this one) would be a good idea.
 
Many years ago, as the internet was coming of age, I burned over 500 pounds of technical manuals. I realized I can look things up on the internet faster than I can find something in a technical manual. And just about anything I might need could be found online. But letting go of my several shelves worth of college text and other science books is another matter. I can't bring myself to get rid of them but there is very little if anything I can't find online now. Books are heavy and a pain...

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