Linear Algebra and Its Applications, Third Updated Edition by David C. Lay

Product Description


Linear algebra is relatively easy for students during the early stages of the course, when the material is presented in a familiar, concrete setting. But when abstract concepts are introduced, students often hit a brick wall. Instructors seem to agree that certain concepts (such as linear independence, spanning, subspace, vector space, and linear transformations), are not easily understood, and require time to assimilate. Since they are fundamental to the study of linear algebra, students' understanding of these concepts is vital to their mastery of the subject. Lay introduces these concepts early in a familiar, concrete Rn setting, develops them gradually, and returns to them again and again throughout the text so that when discussed in the abstract, these concepts are more accessible.
Product Details
Amazon Sales Rank: #13349 in Books
Published on: 2005-09-01
Number of items: 1
Binding: Hardcover
576 pages
Editorial Reviews

About the Author

David C. Lay holds a B.A. from Aurora University (Illinois), and an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California at Los Angeles. Lay has been an educator and research mathematician since 1966, mostly at the University of Maryland, College Park. He has also served as a visiting professor at the University of Amsterdam, the Free University in Amsterdam, and the University of Kaiserslautern, Germany. He has over 30 research articles published in functional analysis and linear algebra.

As a founding member of the NSF-sponsored Linear Algebra Curriculum Study Group, Lay has been a leader in the current movement to modernize the linear algebra curriculum. Lay is also co-author of several mathematics texts, including Introduction to Functional Analysis, with Angus E. Taylor, Calculus and Its Applications, with L.J. Goldstein and D.I. Schneider, and Linear Algebra Gems-Assets for Undergraduate Mathematics, with D. Carlson, C.R. Johnson, and A.D. Porter.

A top-notch educator, Professor Lay has received four university awards for teaching excellence, including, in 1996, the title of Distinguished Scholar-Teacher of the University of Maryland. In 1994, he was given one of the Mathematical Association of America's Awards for Distinguished College or Unviersity Teaching of Mathematics. He has been elected by the university students to membership in Alpha Lambda Delta National Scholastic Honor Society and Golden Key National Honor Society. In 1989, Aurora University conferred on him the Outstanding Alumnus award. Lay is a member of the American Mathematical Society, the Canadian Mathematical Society, the International Linear Algebra Society, the Mathematical Association of America, Sigma Xi, and the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics. Since 1992, he has served several terms on the national board of the Association of Christians in the Mathematical Sciences.
Customer Reviews

Pretty bad
This book starts out well, but eventually the chapters are too short and don't go far enough in depth on the more advanced topics. This book isn't ideal for any sort of self-study, as it does not contain enough information to thoroughly educate the reader on many of the subjects without some supplementary instruction. Also does not go into any detail on using Mat Lab or any other form of programming to solve linear algebra, which is somewhat essential nowadays. Wouldn't recommend.

An outstanding introduction to Linear Algebra
This book provides a good companion for an introductory course in Linear Algebra. Mr. Lay's style is very clear, readable, and each concept logically builds on the last. My only concern is that, like another reviewer said there is the occasional gap between the exercises and the examples presented, which may require the assistance of the instructor. 4/5 Stars

A very good introduction to linear algebra
The highest quality of a book is the ability to teach yourself from it. Lay's book is very self-teachable because it is written in a non-pretentious, explanatory way, making sure you get the big picture while making sure you can do the little details. It reminds me of Griffiths books in physics.

It is a little proof light, so I can respect that a mathematician who is into analysis might find this book too easy. Problems aren't too hard but aren't too easy for the more conceptual questions.

And I appreciate that the problems are meant to test your ability to understand the material, not do mindless calculations that I know anyone can do. For example, some matrices will just start off already diagonalized for you in later chapters.

This is written from the perspective of a physicist. I thus say to my fellow scientists that this is a great book to gain a good understanding of the linear algebra. If you are an experimentalist who frankly wants to learn only what he needs to in order to get by, THEN THIS BOOK ISN'T FOR YOU. This book develops from scratch everything you need to know for undergraduate physics. Go read a Differential Equations book and learn as you go for the linear algebra. If you're a theorist, this is for you.