I need textbook recommendations to learn linear algebra by myself

[Santiago24]

Hi PF community, recently i learned about Calculus in one variables and several, so now i'd like to study linear algebra by myself in a undergraduate level, in order to do that i need some textbooks recommendations. I'll be waiting for your recommendations :).

 

[etotheipi]

You should get linear algebra done right by Sheldon Axler, because it's about linear algebra and he does indeed do it right!

 

[Gaussian97]

As etotheipi said, Sheldon's book is really good, and actually it has a yt channel where explains parts of the book: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHp0WNe3OaSXAr1C_Oi0AQ/videos
But maybe the problems of the book are quite difficult for someone self-studying linear algebra for the first time. Another book that you can use to supplement is Linea Algebra - Insel, Friedberg, Spence.

 

[etotheipi]

and actually it has a yt channel where explains parts of the book: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtHp0WNe3OaSXAr1C_Oi0AQ/videos

Oh wow, that's great! I didn't know about that, it looks really useful. Thanks for mentioning this!

 

[Keith_McClary]

Free Math Books

 

[atyy]

I haven't read Linear algebra done right, jut can recommend Linear algebra done wrong

https://www.math.brown.edu/streil/papers/LADW/LADW.html

 

[jasonRF]

I love Axler’s book but it would have been too difficult for me if it were my first exposure. Unless you are already comfortable constructing proofs yourself I would recommend the book by Hefferon
http://joshua.smcvt.edu/linearalgebra/
or the book “elementary linear algebra” by Anton (used copies of old editions are good and cheap).

Jason

 

[mpresic3]

I second the criticism about Axler's book. I used a book by Hans Samelson that was almost as advanced. I think there is a book by Anton that might be OK. Otherwise, Samelson is OK but probably out of print. I have not seen it around much lately.

 

[mpresic3]

I forgot to say Strang has a good textbook, and even has youttube lectrures. This is also more advanced than Anton

 

[robphy]

I forgot to say Strang has a good textbook, and even has youttube lectrures. This is also more advanced than Anton

Gilbert Strang ( http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/ )
has some very interesting applications of linear algebra and applied mathematics

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra-spring-2010/
https://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-18-010-a-2020-vision-of-linear-algebra-spring-2020/videos/

I took an applied math course in college that used his Applied Mathematics book.
Look back at the text now, there are a lot of gems that I'm still trying to understand
(connecting numerical and discrete methods with continuum analytic methods).

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Hi PF community, recently i learned about Calculus in one variables and several, so now i'd like to study linear algebra by myself in a undergraduate level, in order to do that i need some textbooks recommendations. I'll be waiting for your recommendations :).

If you just took single/multivariable calculus, then maybe the Axler book is not a book you should try learning from at this point. It is a pure mathematics book, not to mention that he avoids determinants till the end of the book. It is a good book, but if you are unfamiliar with proof writing, then little will be gained.

Something like the run of the mill introductory linear algebra books would probably be better. Ie., Anton: Linear Algebra. Lay: Linear Algebra. etc., It introduces proofs, so you can practice proof writing working through the book. I would also get Serge Lang: Introduction To Linear Algebra and work through both of them.

There is also this book.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0198534361/?tag=pfamazon01-20

Berberian rights very clearly. I read this for fun, after being acquainted with working through most of Axler. I found it very clear. Not to expensive, and I found out stuff I didn't know...

 

[MidgetDwarf]

Gilbert Strang ( http://www-math.mit.edu/~gs/ )
has some very interesting applications of linear algebra and applied mathematics

https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/mathematics/18-06-linear-algebra-spring-2010/
https://ocw.mit.edu/resources/res-18-010-a-2020-vision-of-linear-algebra-spring-2020/videos/

I took an applied math course in college that used his Applied Mathematics book.
Look back at the text now, there are a lot of gems that I'm still trying to understand
(connecting numerical and discrete methods with continuum analytic methods).

Personally, I find Strang Linear Algebra to be one of the worst textbooks I have had the disdain to read. The problems are good.=, but he is extremely verbose, and it obfuscates what is really happening.