Linear Algebra

This book presents a concise, comprehensive introduction to the fundamentals of linear algebra. The authors develop the subject in a manner accessible to readers of varied backgrounds. The material requires only very basic algebra and a rudimentary knowledge of matrices and determinants as prerequisites, but the text includes an introductory chapter containing most of the foundational material required. Linear Algebra begins with the basic concepts of vector spaces, subspace, basis, and dimension. Although the authors emphasize finite dimensional vector spaces, they also include examples of infinite dimensional vector spaces to highlight the differences between the two classes. The treatment then moves to the analysis of a single linear operator on a finite dimensional vector space, including discussions on characterizing diagonizable and triangulable operators. It uses the concept of generalized eigenvectors to obtain an inductive procedure for constructing a Jordan basis for a triangulable linear operator and again uses an algorithmic approach to the rational canonical form. Subsequent discussions focus on finite dimensional inner product spaces and non-negative operators, isometries, and polar and singular-value decomposition. The final chapter explores bilinear forms and extends the results of inner product spaces to bilinear spaces. Numerous examples and exercises at the end of each section make this an outstanding text for graduate and senior undergraduate students.