Foundations of Linear Algebra (Paperback)

Paperback. This volume presents a course in linear algebra for undergraduate mathematics students. It is considerably wider in its scope than most of the available methods and prepares the students for advanced work in algebra, differential equations, and functional analysis. Therefore, for example, it is transformation-oriented rather than matrix oriented, and whenever possible results are proved for arbitrary vector spaces and not merely for finite-dimensional vector spaces. Also, by proving results for vector spaces over arbitrary fields, rather than only the field of real or complex numbers, it prepares the way for the study of algebraic coding theory, automata theory, and other subjects in theoretical computer science. Topics are dealt with thoroughly, including ones that normally do not feature in undergraduate textbooks, and many novel and challenging exercises are given. The fact that most students are computer-literate is taken into account, not so much by emphasizing computational aspects of linear algebra which are best left to the computer, but by concentrating on the theory behind it. Audience: Recommended for a one-year undergraduate course in linear algebra. Therefore, consideration of the more computational aspects of linear algebra - such as the solution of systems of linear equations and the calculation of eigenvalues - is delayed until all students are assumed able to write computer programs for this purpose. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.…