Linear Algebra with Applications

by Gareth Williams

Revised And Edited, Linear Algebra With Applications, Seventh Edition Is Designed For The Introductory Course In Linear Algebra And Is Organized Into 3 Natural Parts. Part 1 Introduces The Basics, Presenting Systems Of Linear Equations, Vectors And Subspaces Of R, Matrices, Linear Transformations, Determinants, And Eigenvectors. Part 2 Builds On This Material, Introducing The Concept Of General Vector Spaces, Discussing Properties Of Bases, Developing The Rank/Nullity Theorem And Introducing Spaces Of Matrices And Functions. Part 3 Completes The Course With Many Of The Important Ideas And Methods Of Numerical Linear Algebra, Such As Ill-Conditioning, Pivoting, And LU Decomposition. Offering 28 Core Sections, The Seventh Edition Successfully Blends Theory, Important Numerical Techniques, And Interesting Applications Making It Ideal For Engineers, Scientists, And A Variety Of Other Majors.

Genres: Mathematics, Textbooks

554 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Barrett Barry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is great as an introduction to linear algebra or for someone who wants to know how to use linear algebra to solve practical problems. Every chapter ends with applications such as using markov chains to quantify population movements and genetics, google, weather prediction, cryptography (hamming codes), Quadratic forms (relativity) , difference equations, normal modes, economics, fractals, traffic flow, electrical networks. This is an essential book in my opinion.

[Teddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interestingly formatted book- touches briefly on topics like linear independence, and determinants in the first couple of chapters, then re-covers them a few chapters later. Not as useful as just covering any given topic all at once, I think.

The problems were also not quite ideal- either too easy (trivial computations) or too difficult (abstract proofs). This book definitely works best if you've already had a proofs class.

That said, explanations of concepts were pretty clear, examples were useful, and the text was very readable. There were also optional sections on practical applications of linear algebra, which were neat to read

Overall, a good reference book and source for problems, but not what I'd choose for a primary text.