A first course with applications to differential equations

This text provides ample coverage of major topics traditionally taught in a first course on linear algebra: linear spaces, independence, orthogonality, linear transformations, matrices, eigenvalues, and quadratic forms. The last three chapters describe applications to differential equations. Although much of the material has been extracted from the author's two-volume Calculus, the present text is designed to be independent of the Calculus volumes. Some topics have been revised or rearranged, and some new material has been added (for example, the triangularization theorem and the Jordan normal form). A review chapter contains pre-calculus prerequisites needed for the material on linear algebra in Chapters 1 through 7 and calculus prerequisites needed for the applications to differential equations in Chapters 8 through 10.

Special features

• Clarity of exposition that has characterized four decades of the author's writings
• Well-chosen examples and classroom-tested exercises that increase understanding of the concepts
• An arrangement of material that accommodates a variety of backgrounds and interests
• Early chapters on vectors and geometry that motivate abstract concepts in later chapters
• The exponential matrix explored through an interplay between linear algebra and matrix calculus