Linear Algebra

Mathematics 220 is a one quarter introduction to linear algebra . The principal topics include
solution of systems of linear equations, matrix algebra and determinants , abstract vector
spaces, eigenvalues and eigenvectors, inner product spaces, and quadratic forms. The course
will probably make more sense if you can read or at least browse through the relevant
sections of the book before each class. We'll spend a day or two discussing each section of
the book.

I'll spend most of the class time explaining the concepts and presenting examples showing
how the concepts are applied. I welcome questions at any time. There will be portions of
class time where you get a chance to solve some problems.

This course is usually perceived to be very straight-forward at the beginning, but grows
more abstract and conceptually sophisticated. Keeping up with the new concepts through
homework exercises is essential to success in the course. I may collect some homework
exercises from the book, and additional problems . There may be occasional short quizzes.

There will be three tests and a final exam. Some of the tests may have a take-home portion.
There will be an opportunity to make-up one test by the way I score the final exam. I look
at each section of the comprehensive final (a test one part, a test two part, etc.) and look to
see on which section you have improved the most. If you have, for example, improved the
most on the test two part of the final exam, then the score on the test two portion of the
final replaces your original test two score. Of course, if the final exam scores are all lower ,
your original test scores are left unchanged.

what you'll need

book: "Linear Algebra and its Applications" by David C. Lay, 3^rd ed. (updated), Addison
Wesley, 2006.

prerequisite: Math 153 (calculus III) or concurrent enrollment. What's essential is a
familiarity with vectors.

please turn o the sound on all cellphones, pagers, etc. during class

grades

Each of the three tests will be worth 100 points and the final exam will be worth 100 points,
and the quizzes and homework will count as a smaller number of points . The course grade is
based on a percentage which may be calculated at any time. Add together all your points.
Then divide by the sum of the possible points. Multiply by 100 for the course percentage.
Course grades are then determined by the following scale:

* A course percentage of at least 93%,
and a score of at least 90% on each test
earns a 4.0.

Other grades are linearly interpolated. For example, a score of 85% corresponds to a grade
of 3.4.

test dates

course outline
naturally the schedule is approximate

linear equation systems , vector & matrix equations, linear independence, linear
transformations

eigenvalues, eigenvectors, orthogonality, & quadratic forms