Linear Algebra

The recent past has seen a considerable upgrading of the usual under-graduate mathematics curriculum. This has taken place for both mathematics majors and for nonmajors. A consequence of this trend is that many schools now offer a course in linear algebra for undergraduates. Such a course is usually offered independently of the calculus, advanced calculus, differential equations sequence. Linear algebra can be used, however, to unify and clarify much of the subject matter of advanced calculus and differential equations, and is also useful early in the physics and engineering sequences. Accordingly, the feeling is current that linear algebra can and should be given immediately after the student has had introductory calculus. This textbook has been explicitly designed for such a course in the undergraduate mathematics curriculum.