Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
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Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#2It's a beautiful thing, linear algebra.
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#3It looks like a nice book. My only criticism after a quick skim is that it seems to neglect stability issues (condition numbers, etc). I realize that that is technically linear analysis (and nearly all textbooks neglect it), but it still belongs in any intro book.
He touches on it slightly on page 68, but inadequately in my view. The issue is not that it's hard to program, but that the problem of ill-conditioned matrices is fundamentally hard.
Nevertheless, I like this book. I'll strongly consider using it in the event I teach linear algebra.
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#4Thanks. I'll take a look as soon I have time.
The direct links for the book: ftp://joshua.smcvt.edu/pub/hefferon/book/book.pdf
The direct link for the answers: ftp://joshua.smcvt.edu/pub/hefferon/book/jhanswer.pdf
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#5I prefer books that are much the opposite, like Priciples of Mathematical Analysis. I like to fill in the gaps in terse presentations and poke around on the internet for applications and other things. A good professor, however, can make any book a good one.
I had a teacher last year that used Artin's Algebra. He made a game out of the massive amount of typos and errors:
Show that question X is false as stated. Give the correct hypothesis and prove the new theorem.
How can we strengthen question Y?
On page ABC, what is the error in the proof of such and such. How can it be fixed?
Honestly, any good professor can make even the worst of books enjoyable.
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#6My favorite text on Linear Algebra is Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra and Its Applications although the current edition is ridiculously expensive:
http://www.amazon.com/Linear-Algebra-Applications-Gilbert-St...
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#7Looking at the Table of Contents it seems fairly decent.
The most helpful Linear Algebra book I have used is Linear Algebra by Friendberg, Insel, and Spence.
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#8I prefer books that are much the opposite, like Priciples of Mathematical Analysis. I like to fill in the gaps in terse presentations and poke around on the internet for applications and other things. A good professor, however, can make any book a good one. I had a teacher last year that used Artin's Algebra. He made a game out of the massive amount of typos and errors: Show that question X is false as stated. Give t…
"I prefer books that are much the opposite, like Priciples of Mathematical Analysis. I like to fill in the gaps in terse presentations and poke around on the internet for applications and other things."
You are a special case. I think you can succeed in spite of the book being used. :)
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#9My favorite text on Linear Algebra is Gilbert Strang's Linear Algebra and Its Applications although the current edition is ridiculously expensive: http://www.amazon.com/Linear-Algebra-Applications-Gilbert-St...
I managed to find an older version of the book, but somehow still unused, for a much lower price. I haven't found anything missing yet that I really need to know. I'm sure Linear Algebra as a field of knowledge has advanced a lot in that time, but the basics are still the basics.
I bought it because I checked several Linear Algebra books out from the university library, including an even older version of Strang's, and found that I liked it far more than the rest. Good transitioning between motivation, explanation, proofs, and examples for each topic. Also, it follows the on-line Strang lectures.
Re: Jim Hefferon's Linear Algebra: A free textbook with fascinating applications
#10Looks a good book. Would any readers know of a good book on more advanced linear algebar particularly all things eigen - eigenvalues eigenfunctions and so on theory and application, but not just lists of theorems (much like the recommended book)