Reviews (7)

Not a helpful book
a terrible book for self-study. may be good as a class companion where the teacher explains a lot. but the author does not approach linear algebra in an pedagogical way that enables self-study. solutions for exercises come out of the blue of the sky. also errors found.

a LA book for the rest of us
I usually avoid demagogic descriptions of educational texts as they tend to appeal mainly to ignorants but in the case of linear algebra perhaps i can be excused.This book presents a difficult topic, that could be very frustrating, in an easy to understand, well documented manner.Unlike most math textbooks this book does not aim to educate only the top 5% of the class and confute the rest of the students.Rather the author seems to be targeting average to good math students.Also helpful is that he basses the relevant chapter examples on problems that actually appear in the excercises.No silly "discovery learning" or multiple levels of abstraction are required to solve the problems and understand the topics.I appreciate that the author is aiming to educate the bulk of his audiance and not just the mathematical elite. Only if more advanced math books were like this!

Bad book
The book gets confusing at points and the author assumes many concepts which defeat the purpose of being "Elementary". I have struggled at how he comes up with the answers.For example chapter 4 is so confusing!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Mathematics / Algebra / Linear   

Reviews (9)

Horrible Book
It has been said a few times already but I'll just reiterate. This book is horrible. I went into this class having been told that Linear Algebra is a reasonable subject. Not so with Shifrin and Adams. The lessons do a very poor job of prepping you for the included exercises. Unless you have an exceptional professor be weary of this one.

Awful book
This book is horrible. Not only does it do an awful job of teaching you linear algebra, but the book itself falls apart pretty easily. Now I'm stuck with this (way to expensive) book and I won't be able to sell it since people tend to like the pages to be in the book when they buy it. For the record, I do like linear algebra, but that interest was developed by my professor but not by this book in any way.

a fine book telling you what the numbers mean
Again I was puzzled that such a fine book by such fine authors could receive several pans here.Looking at it again I see why.As usual it is because the book gives the reader more than some of them want, and hence expects more from them in turn.
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Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Science/Mathematics   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Mathematical Analysis    4. Mathematical optimization    5. Mathematics    6. Numerical calculations    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Mathematics / Mathematical Analysis    9. Numerical analysis   

Reviews (3)

presupposes strong background in continuous group theory
The title says "physicists". This book was one of my physics texts. Yet I found much of this to be incomprehensible. Some sections are indeed very clear and descriptive. But much of it assumed an extensive prior knowledge of continuous groups, and how these are typically used in high energy physics.
Very good good introduction to Lie ...
I used this book when I taught classical mechanics in the seventies. I found it to be very readable and with a far better coverage of Lie algebras and groups than Hamermesh (who defines scalars and invariants in the right way). The book contains typo errors, too bad that a second edition never came out. I'd like to get a copy, but not at any price! Dover, where are you when we need you?

Not for begginers
This book contains the theory of continuous groups (Lie Groups) highlighting the important points that are useful in Theorethical Physics in the manner it is used in the physicists' community. Although it intends to be an introductory text, if you have never studied group theory before you will find this book not very easy.Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Mathematics    3. Algebra   

Reviews (2)

Don't waste your money!
This is exactly the same solutions as what is in the back of the text book. There are no even-numbered solutions or extra information.If you own the text, you already have what's in this $35.00 solution manual.

Linear Algebra Solutions Manual
The idea of a Solutions manual is to give solutions for the problems in the book.However, this manual is the exact same thing as what I have in the back of my book.The even numbers aren't included, and no additional explanation is included, I'm disappointed and wasted 40 dollars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Calculus    2. Mathematics    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Linear algebra    5. Mathematics / General   

Reviews (3)

OUTSTANDING!
I ordered this book to use along with my text.It made the course much easier tounderstand.This book is the only reason I made a B in linear algebra.I just ordered the other books to use for abstract algebra and probability also. Buy it!

Better and easier than sitting thru a confusing instructor
Want to ace linear algebra and not get confused all the time? This book can help solve even the trickiest problems in linear algebra and helps understand the more complex and complicated concepts of linear algebra. Buy this book and get ahead and never get left out in the cold again !

Good for more practice but some irritating flaws
I've used many Schaum's books before, and most of them were very good because they were well written and explained concepts and techniques clearly."Beginning Linear Algebra," however, was not as good asmost of the other books in the series.It suffers from long chapteroutlines, poor explanations, and many errors both in the explanations andanswers to problems.Nevertheless, this book does provide a lot of goodpractice problems with answers.So I would recommend this book as asupplement to a regular text and not as a primary source of informationabout linear algebra. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Outlines, syllabi, etc    6. Problems, exercises, etc    7. Science/Mathematics    8. Study Guides    9. Mathematics / Algebra / General   

Reviews (1)

clear exposition of ideas
Anton gives a skilled exposition of a first course in linear algebra. The concept of a vector space is developed. From which the ideas of vectors and matrices naturally flow, where the latter map from one vector space to another. There is a nice stress on the student grasping a geometric picture. This helps her develop a qualitative understanding of the concepts.
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Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Mathematics    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Textbooks    6. Linear algebra    7. Mathematics / Algebra / Linear   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Differential Equations    3. Harmonic analysis    4. Homogeneous spaces    5. Lie groups    6. Mathematics    7. Number Theory    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Fourier transfoms    10. Functional analysis    11. Mathematics / Mathematical Analysis    12. several complex variables   

Reviews (1)

Very well written and motivates the subject well.
Physicists view vertex algebras in many different ways, depending on their area of research. Some have used them without calling them as such, such as those dealing with the quantum operator equations of motion in the Heisenberg picture for potentials of higher order than quadratic. Researchers in string theory will view them in the context of two-dimensional conformal field theory, and in the use of the ubiquitous Virasoro algebra. Those in quantum field theory/elementary particle physics come across them in the context of the operator product expansion.
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Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Curves, Algebraic    3. Mathematics    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Vertex operator algebras   

Reviews (1)

Solid Book, but VERY Theoretical
Please be warned that this book is heavily designed toward matrix theory, rather than the algorithm itself. Therefore, if you are math-averse, you'd better look for other books that offers much lighter theory such as Numerical Recipes. However, if you are not deterred by Greek letters or complicated formulas and eager to learn the theories behind all of the algorithms, this book is for you. Although the author claims that the intended audience is "nonspecialist", I find that this book is most suitable to scientists or grad students, rather than common programmers.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Mathematics    3. Matrices    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Linear algebra    6. Mathematics / Mathematical Analysis   

Reviews (1)

Review of Knapp's "Lie groups: beyond an introduction."
The short version:this is a superbly written and conceived book;if I had to learn this material (the basic theory of Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. General    3. Group Theory    4. Lie Groups    5. Lie algebras    6. Mathematics    7. Representations of groups    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Algebra/Rings    10. Groups & Generalizations    11. Groups & group theory    12. Linear algebra    13. Math Physics    14. Mathematics / Group Theory    15. Mathematics for scientists & engineers    16. Representation/Lie Group    17. Theoretical methods   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Science/Mathematics   

Reviews (1)

A good book but for specialist
The book provides a lot of material but it left me the impression of a core material hidden in "a bittoo many" technicalities, being the textbook more likely suitable as a reference for a specialist (I amnot) than for a reader interested in the subject. I really appreciated thechapter "Fractal Functions and Wavelets", a good description oflinks beetween wavelets and fractals. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Arithmetic    3. Differential Equations    4. Fractal Geometry    5. Fractals    6. Functional Analysis    7. Mathematics    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Topology - Fractals    10. Condensed matter physics (liquids & solids)    11. Mathematics / Differential Equations   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - General    2. Algebra - Linear    3. Algebras, Linear    4. Geometry - Algebraic    5. Geometry, Algebraic    6. Mathematics    7. Number Theory    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Textbooks    10. Linear algebra   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - General    2. Categories (Mathematics)    3. Category Theory    4. Congresses    5. Geometry - Algebraic    6. Homology Theory    7. Logic    8. Mathematics    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Topology    11. Linear algebra    12. Mathematics / Algebra / General   

Reviews (1)

Does this book exist?
I am a graduate student at Western Kentucky University and the bookstore still hasn't managed to obtain any copies of this book, four weeks into the semester. I have tried twice ordering it from Amazon (both times with one day shipping) and it's just sat there in whatever warehouse they store these things in, assuming the book exists at all because at this point it seems it doesn't. Thus I have no idea how to rate the item, but since one is required I give it 5 stars because it would be worth that much to me when I take a test over the material covered next week. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Calculus    3. Combinatorics    4. Difference equations    5. Differential Equations    6. General    7. Mathematics    8. Science/Mathematics    9. Applied mathematics    10. Mathematics / General   

Reviews (1)

Rossmann Achieves the Impossible!
Absolutely Fabulous (apologies to Dawn French!). It is truly a privilege to read this book! Rossmann has achieved the impossible and given me a firm grip on Lie theory. This he does within the framework of matrix groups (familiar examples of manifolds) - he mounts his trusted steed, Exponential Map, and travels very light through the wonderful lands he explores - the Inverse Function Theorem, the Baker Campbell Hausdorf formula, and basic group / linear space properties are really the only four spells he takes with him in his kit bag. His steed bears him to the Lie Correspondence (Lie's third theorem) with truly dazzling speed and simplicity. Many if not most of the proofs and results throughout the book fall back on very first principles, so you won't need a Cetacean-sized brain to keep abreast of his discussion. Nonetheless, there is no sacrifice of rigour. The book clearly shows that Rossmann is highly experienced in the teaching of his subject matter - the proofs all have a highly polished and pared feel to them; they are clearly refined by many years of questionings by floundering students and newcomers such as myself because very few items are not apparent at a first or second reading.Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Mathematics    3. Science/Mathematics    4. Linear algebra    5. Mathematics / Algebra / Linear    6. Mathematics | Pure Mathematics   

Reviews (5)

the ideal book for beginning undergraduate students
I fully disagree with the one star review...
Is this really good?
I have just had a glimpse of all the three reviews here, and wonder whether the reviews are really true. I am now an undergraduate and taking a course which uses this textbook. Frankly speaking, I think this book sucks. If you carefully compare this book with Friedberg, Insel and Spencer's Linear Algebra, you will know the difference. This book misses out many things I consider important. Also, it does not contain many interesting and essential results, like all infinite-dimensional vector space has a basis. I don't think Zorn's lemma should not be mentioned in a book like this one.
excellent
This book treats the basic principles of abstract algebra.Read more

Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Mathematics / Algebra / Linear   

Reviews (26)

The engineer's classic.
People say that mathematical truths never change, and that's true enough. New concepts, applications, and techniques keep emerging, though, so math teaching needs to keep up with the times. Strang has done an outstanding job of keeping this book current and relevant.
A wonderful book
As someone who already knows the basics of the subject, I guess I'm looking at things with the benefit of hindsight.However, I needed to shore up my own knowledge of Linear Algebra and thought I might as well turn to Strang for a refresher and a different approach.
Try it before you buy it?
I guess that's my best advice for anyone considering purchasing this book -- see if you can find a local copy first to examine.Pretty much everything you'd find in anyone else's linear algebra intro book is in his, so it's mainly a question of whether or not you like Strang's presentation of the material.Yes, he's kinda wordy, yes he probably gets a little overexcited at times and has too many exclamation points.However, you're going to spend a *lot* more time doing the problems than reading the text, so such reasons for disliking the book ring pretty hollow to me.
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Subjects:  1. Algebra - Linear    2. Algebras, Linear    3. Linear Algebra    4. Mathematics    5. Science/Mathematics   

Subjects:  1. Algebra - General    2. Mathematics    3. Representations of algebras    4. Science/Mathematics    5. Vertex operator algebras    6. Linear algebra    7. Mathematics / Algebra / General